In Friday's cabinet meeting, which could be UPA II's last before the Lok Sabha polls, the government took some important decisions, including imposition of President's rule in Andhra Pradesh, hiking Dearness Allowance to 100%, and raising expenditure limits for the general elections. It is likely to meet again next week to decide on key anti-corruption legislation.
* Cabinet approves Rs 1,000 per month minimum pension under Employees' Provident Fund scheme. Read more.
* Dearness Allowance raised to 100% from existing 90%, benefitting 50 lakh employees and 30 lakh pensioners. Government also approves merger with basic salary.
* Decision on anti-corruption ordinance deferred. Sources say Cabinet likely to meet next week to take up this issue. Read the full story here.
* Government clears Election Commission proposal to raise expenditure limits for Lok Sabha elections. Read more.
* Cabinet approves opening of 54 new Kendriya Vidyalayas. Read here.
* Government approves additional Rs 464.78 crore for GSLV Mk-III. Read more.
* Also read: Govt approves proposals worth Rs 3500 crore for All India Radio, Doordarshan.
In what could be the last cabinet meeting of UPA II, the Manmohan Singh government on Friday decided to impose President’s Rule in Andhra Pradesh.
The decision comes over a week after the Parliament passed a bill for bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. The Andhra Pradesh Governor had written to the Centre recommending President's rule after N Kiran Kumar Reddy resigned as chief minister. Despite the Congress having a majority, no party came forward to form the government.
The Assembly Elections in Andhra Pradesh are due along with the Lok Sabha Elections.
However, the government is yet to grant approval to a special finance package for the Seemandhra region.
Since this could be the last cabinet meeting of the UPA II before the election code of conduct comes into effect, the government is keen to decide on a number of key issues during the meet, including anti-corruption legislation.
Regarding the anti-corruption legislation, which Rahul Gandhi has been pushing for, the government may clear three bills - the public procurement bill, prevention of corruption bill and the right to time bound delivery and the citizen charters bill. However, since elections are barely a month away, ut remains to be seen whether President Pranab Mukherjee will clear the executive decision.
Among other things, the government will look to clear a minimum of Rs 1,000 per month to all Employee's Pension scheme members. It could also decide on a proposal to increase the number of work days under MGNREGA from 100 to 150.
Other items on the agenda include the Disabilities Rights bill, an ordinance to amend the SEBI Act, another amendment to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act seeking to make violations and penalities more stringent, and an approval for 54 new Kendra Vidyalayas.
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