27 August, 2013

Industry says Food Security Bill will harm fiscal deficit

The morning after the Lok Sabha passed Sonia Gandhi's pet Food Security Bill, industry is raising concerns about the effect this massive subsidy will have on the country's economy. The project is expected to cost the exchequer Rs 1,25,000 lakh crore per annum, and growing.

CII president Kris Gopalakrishnan said, "There are concerns (about the Bill). Such a large outlay at this point in time will definitely have a negative impact on the fiscal deficit. This needs to be managed. The larger concern is regarding the effective implementation of such a critical social agenda of the government."

Gopalakrishnan said the use of ration shops to channelise the subsidy raises question about the efficacy of the model. Targeting is another area that will need special attention. "CII hopes that the government will put proper focus on these aspects, mainly targeting the needy so they can benefit from this subsidy,

SC warns courts against showing leniency towards rape convicts

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that compromise between rape survivor and rape convict cannot be a ground to reduce sentence of imprisonment.

Even offer of marriage by the accused to rape survivor cannot persuade courts to reduce sentence of rape convicts, the top court said.

The apex court said law permits the court to reduce sentence even in rape cases under exceptional circumstances but compromise between the assaulted woman and the rapist cannot be a ground for that exception.

The top court said allowing compromise between rape survivor and convict for reduction of sentence would allow the accused to exert every kind of pressure on the rape survivor to settle for a compromise.

Long delay in trial and the fact that rape survivor has settled in life were also no grounds to reduce sentence of rapists, the SC ruled.

Religion, caste or status of accused too should not make any difference to the case trial and imposition of sentence when convicted, the court said.

Justifying harsh punishment in rape cases, the court said rape is not only a physical and mental assault of a woman but also a crime against society requiring courts not to show leniency to rape convicts when it came to imposing sentence.

Triumphant Indian women archers return home

The triumphant Indian women's recurve team, which clinched the World Cup Stage IV crown in Poland, returned home in the wee hours on Tuesday to a lukewarm response.

The archery team, comprising Bombayla Devi, Deepika Kumari and Rimil Buriuly, were later felicitated at the resident of President of Archery Association of India (AAI), V K Malhotra.

The archers were, however, a little disappointed that no top officials had come to receive them at the Indira Gandhi International airport.

"We are a bit disappointed. If we compare with other sports, there are lot of people receiving the players at the airport. This is a very big achievement, we defeated Korea. It would have been great had we received a big welcome but its okay our job is to do better and we will do it," Rimil said.

India eye big win over Bangladesh ahead of Asia Cup semis

Already through to the semifinals, an upbeat India would aim to keep their winning juggernaut rolling and end their pool engagements with a thumping victory over minnows Bangladesh in the Asia Cup hockey tournament on Wednesday.

After back-to-back victories against Oman and defending champions South Korea, the Indians are brimming with confidence but they cannot afford to relax in the eight-nation tournament, which they desperately need to win to qualify for next year's World Cup at The Hague, Netherlands.