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<ul><li>84-year old Pranab Mukherjee spent his entire political career spanning decades as a member of the Congress Party.</li><li>However, he was respected across all parties for his political acumen. </li><li>Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>, who belongs to the rival BJP, hailed the former President as an "outstanding statesman of our times". </li></ul> Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee received the country's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, at the age of 84. While Mukherjee spent his entire political career spanning decades as a member of the Congress Party, he was respected across party lines. The current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who belongs to the rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has hailed Mukherjee as an "outstanding statesman of our times". Mukerjee's term as President of India, a post enabled by the Congress, ended in 2017. His successor President Ram Nath Kovind presented the award in a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President's residence, today (August 8) in the presence of the country's top leaders. <div type="Youtube" id="KYdI9dYW-as" title="President Kovind presents Bharat Ratna to Shri Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KYdI9dYW-as/mqdefault.jpg"></div>

 Mukherjee, a long-term Congress loyalist, has been among the senior-most ministers in many governments from the one headed by Indira Gandhi to her son Rajiv Gandhi followed by Narasimha Rao and most recently under Manmohan Singh between 2004 and 2014. Known for his ability to strike a deal, Mukherjee played crucial roles in breaking many political deadlocks. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sushma-swaraj-indias-former-foreign-minister-passes-away-at-the-age-of-67/articleshow/70561044.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">India's 'supermom' Sushma Swaraj, the lady who redefined the country's Foreign Ministry, is no more</a>

Watch India's former President Pranab Mukherjee receive the country's highest civilian honour

Mortal remains of late former Indian President <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=APJ+Abdul+Kalam">APJ Abdul Kalam</a> arrived at Palam Airport in New Delhi from Guwahati on Tuesday. 
 Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, <keyword id="6354814" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="prime-minister-Narendra-Modi">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</keyword>, along with Three Service Chiefs paid homage to Kalam. 
 
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were also present. 
 
 
 
Public can pay homage to the late President from 3pm onwards at 10 Rajaji Marg in New Delhi. 
 
 
 
The last rites will take place at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. 
 
People from all walks of life took to social media and paid homage to the apolitical President. Kalam led the scientific team that developed missiles able to carry India's nuclear warheads. 
 
He became a national hero after helping oversee nuclear tests in 1998 that solidified India's status as a nuclear weapons state. India's first atomic test was in 1974. 
 
Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=smriti+irani">Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani</a> announced Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan to be renamed as APJ Abdul Kalam Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan. 
 
Telangana Government has announced holiday, whereas the Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to work one hour extra to pay tribute to the late President. 
 
Kalam died on Monday (July 27) from a cardiac arrest at the age of 83. 
 
Kalam, popularly known as 'Missile Man', was delivering a lecture in Shillong when he collapsed and was rushed to Bethany Hospital. 
 
Kalam’s last tweet was: 
 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		Going to Shillong.. to take course on Livable Planet earth at iim. With <a href="https://twitter.com/srijanpalsingh">@srijanpalsingh</a> and Sharma.
	— In memoryof Dr.Kalam (@APJAbdulKalam) <a href="https://twitter.com/APJAbdulKalam/status/625546195205648384">July 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
 
We at Business Insider have created this unique platform for anyone who wants to pay homage to this the beloved Former President, APJ Abdul Kalam- the great leader, teacher, scientist and amongst many other things a visionary par excellence, even as he embarks upon his last journey. Just click on the link to pay your respects: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/social/48249034.cms">http://www.businessinsider.in/social/48249034.cms</a> 
 
(Images: ANI Twitter)

President Pranab Mukherjee, PM Modi pay homage to Dr Kalam at Delhi airport

<ul><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/trendsfestival" data-type="tilCustomLink">Global Trends Festival</a> is one of the world's most prestigious events which will be live from Oct 19-23.</li><li>While nobel laureates, some of the biggest political and corporate icons will provide thought leadership, it's a great platform to network with CXOs from around the world.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/trendsfestival" data-type="tilCustomLink">Global Trends Festival 2020</a> is presented by <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/trendsfestival" data-type="tilCustomLink"></a><a href="https://aws.amazon.com/" data-type="tilCustomLink">AWS</a>.</li><li>Get your tickets now from <a href="https://in.bookmyshow.com/events/business-insider-global-trends-festival/ET00137578" data-type="tilCustomLink">BookMyShow</a>. </li></ul><div type="javascript" title="Custom" contenttype="Video"><cdata><![CDATA[]]></cdata></div> <a href="https://trendsfestival.in/" data-type="tilCustomLink">BUSINESS INSIDER Global Trends Festival</a> will take place online from 19 to 23 October 2020. Its focus will be the impact of COVID-19 on business around the globe. The conference will happen online on multiple “stages” and time zones and will feature renowned leaders from science and business, including <keyword id="566177" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reed-Hastings">Reed Hastings</keyword>, co-founder and <keyword id="9732022" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="ceo-of-netflix">CEO of Netflix</keyword>, Nouriel Roubini, economist and professor at NYU; Sebastian Thrun, CEO of Kitty Hawk Corporation, chairman and co-founder of Udacity, former Vice-President of Google; Poppy Gustafsson, CEO of Darktrace; Sergio P Ermotti, CEO of UBS Group AG and Christoph Franz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Roche Holding AG. The <keyword id="9732021" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="business-insider-global-trends-festival">BUSINESS INSIDER Global Trends Festival</keyword> will examine the impact of the coronavirus along five main themes: Welcome to the Future, Shifting Societies, Sustainability, Technology, and Organization. The event will be interactive, and executives, entrepreneurs, and investors from around the world are invited to join. It will feature more than 60 hours of presentations, discussions, and workshops. The conference will be held on four geographical stages - the Global Stage and three regional stages – United States Stage, European Stage (in London, Berlin, and Warsaw), and Asia/Pacific Stage (in New Delhi and Tokyo). Tickets are available starting 10 August at the <a href="https://trendsfestival.in/" data-type="tilCustomLink">BUSINESS INSIDER Global Trends Festival</a>. Other BUSINESS INSIDER Global <keyword id="9732024" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="trends-festival">Trends Festival</keyword> speakers include: Felix Oberholzer-Gee, Andreas Andresen Professor of Business Administration in the Strategy Unit at Harvard Business School; Marc Walder, CEO Ringier AG; Alain Dehaze, CEO of Adecco Group; Philip Vanhoutte, championing smarter working &amp; careers; Marcel Salathé, professor at EPFL, digital epidemiologist, and member of the Swiss National Covid-19 Science Task Force; Bob Dignen, Director of International Leadership Performance and York Associates; Jean-Francois Manzoni, President of IMD in Lausanne; and Jennifer Jordan, Professor of Leadership and Organizational Behaviour at IMD in Lausanne. Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer SE and ambassador of the BUSINESS INSIDER Global Trends Festival: “The good thing about crises is: They accelerate progress. Once the Covid-19 pandemic is over, nothing will be the same again. Whole industries are likely to vanish – but new ones will emerge. As will new ideas, a new way of working, and a new way of interacting. The BUSINESS INSIDER Global Trends Festival is the forum where scenarios for the upcoming years will be shared and discussed. And who would be better suited to bring together outstanding speakers and a variety of opinions on a global level than the world’s largest business news site BUSINESS INSIDER.” Mark Dekan, CEO Ringier Axel Springer Media, and Publisher of BUSINESS INSIDER in Poland: “For us going online is an opportunity to go global. So I am proud that the conference, conceived and established in Poland, will this year go online as an outstanding global event. Seizing the opportunity presented by the Covid-19 crisis, we are launching what is set to become a highly respected international forum, spotlighting critical issues of the day and inspiring better global leadership. This year we are excited to welcome an array of exceptional personalities and visionaries from across the social, political and business spectrum with expert insights and thought leadership into how we can successfully navigate our future in a post-Covid world.” <div type="image" title="Mark Dekan" msid="77461032" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Mark Dekan&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Henry Blodget, cofounder, CEO, and Editorial Director of Insider, Inc., ambassador of the BUSINESS INSIDER Global Trends Festival: “For the global business community, now is a pivot point. Success or failure will be determined by the choices that need to be made to adjust to emerging new realities and a future that is uncertain, even as some trends appear more and more unstoppable. We’re proud of the Business Insider Poland team for spearheading such a timely discussion to shed some needed light on the challenges – and opportunities – now facing businesses in all parts of the globe.” <div type="image" title="Henry Blodget" msid="77461038" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Henry Blodget&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Mathias Döpfner and Henry Blodget are ambassadors of the conference. Previously the <keyword id="9732023" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="business-insider-trends-festival">BUSINESS INSIDER Trends Festival</keyword> took place in Warsaw, Poland, and featured 120 speakers from around the world. It attracted nearly 3,000 visitors from Poland and abroad. <div type="image" title="Mathias Doepfner" msid="77461069" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Mathias Doepfner&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> For more information visit the <a href="https://trendsfestival.in/" data-type="tilCustomLink">https://trendsfestival.in</a> website. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/former-president-of-india-pranab-mukherjee-tests-positive-for-covid-19/articleshow/77459256.cms">Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee tests positive for COVID-19</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/list-of-weapons-that-india-can-make-at-home-and-the-ones-it-cannot/slidelist/77459796.cms">List of weapons that India can make at home — and the ones it cannot</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/markets/news/share-prices-of-bhel-lt-hal-bharat-forge-bharat-dynamic-and-others-are-rallying-in-the-stock-market-today/articleshow/77455503.cms">HAL’s share price jumps by over 8% as defence stocks rally after India announces import ban</a>

Business Insider's Global Trends Festival is coming to India — and it's gonna be huge!

The <keyword id="1565295" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indira-Gandhi-Prize">Indira Gandhi Prize</keyword> for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2019 will be conferred on renowned naturalist and broadcaster Sir <keyword id="711617" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="David-Attenborough">David Attenborough</keyword>. His name was selected for the prize by an international jury chaired by former president <keyword id="6359124" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="pranab-mukherjee">Pranab Mukherjee</keyword>, the <keyword id="6354478" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indira-Gandhi">Indira Gandhi</keyword> Memorial Trust announced on Tuesday. "Few individuals have come to be as identified with the well being of our planet, of all living creatures, and their relationship with human beings, as Sir David," the Trust said in a statement. The 2019 prize, it added, is awarded to Attenborough for a lifetime of doing more to reveal the wonders of the natural world to us than perhaps any other individual. Suman Dubey, secretary of the trust, said Attenborough had tirelessly worked to "awaken humankind to the need, to preserve and protect the biodiversity on our planet, to live in a sustainable and harmonious way with all life, and to stop being what he has called: 'a plague on earth'."

BBC broadcaster David Attenboroug awarded Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for 2019

The Election Commission today assured that polled electronic voting machines (EVM) are ‘absolutely safe in strongrooms’-- reacting to videos on media and social media which show EVMs being transported in private vehicles. “The visuals seen viral on media do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls,” said EC in a press statement. These series of videos show these machines being tampered in Bihar, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh (UP). Opposition Unites Leaders of several parties like Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) complained to the EC on these alleged movement of electronic voting machines (EVMs) to replace the polled machines in strongrooms. Chandrababu Naidu who is already doing the rounds and gathering steam against Bharatiya Janata Party, is one of the leaders along with Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury who is mobilizing parties to meet EC. “The EC is yet to come out with a procedure in case there is a mismatch between the VVPAT and the EVM tally. We want that even for a single mismatch in the VVPAT samples picked for counting and EVMs, all VVPATs in that assembly segment must be counted. This is important to maintain integrity of the electoral process,” Yechury said, according to a <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/lok-sabha-elections/oppn-parties-may-meet-ec-to-demand-evm-tracking/story-e6PJ9EOGW99ZuX7GGcvuRM.html">HT report</a>. EC however has been assuring that its procedures are in place. “The aspersions in clips being used in media merely pertain to the storage or movement of Reserve unused EVMs. However, any case of lapse even in handling of reserve EVMs is thoroughly investigated and disciplinary action taken against the officers responsible,” EC assured in a statement. Exit Poll Effect These allegations which came a day after exit polls, and mostly by opposition parties, could cast a shadow of doubt on Lok Sabha election results, which are to be announced on May 23. A poll of polls predicts a comfortable win for National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by PM Narendra Modi. An aggregation of the various exit polls says that NDA would win more than 300 seats in the current Lok Sabha Election, leaving no option for many opposition parties to come together and form a front, in case of a fractured mandate. Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee, who had been a career Congress politician and Finance Minister for many years, was one of the many people who<a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/elections-2019-pranab-mukherjee-says-concerned-at-reports-of-alleged-tampering-of-voters-verdict-ami-2040695"> </a>expressed concern over alleged ‘tampering of voters’ verdict’. <a href="https://twitter.com/CitiznMukherjee/status/1130767638508949504">https://twitter.com/CitiznMukherjee/status/1130767638508949504</a> SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-households-face-a-double-whammy-with-price-hikes-in-milk-and-fuel/articleshow/69424415.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Indian households face a double whammy with price hikes in milk and fuel</a>

Conspiracy theories hound electronic voting machines two days before India’s election results

A day before <keyword id="3003094" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Startup-India">Startup India</keyword>, President <keyword id="6359124" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pranab-Mukherjee">Pranab Mukherjee</keyword> lauded the efforts of Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> for creating a healthy environment for entrepreneurs in the country and pushing innovation. 
 Mukherjee also said he was responsible for the delay in encouraging <keyword id="107737" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Entrepreneurship">entrepreneurship</keyword> during his regime in the former UPA government, in which he served as the finance minister. 
 
"I cannot pass on the buck to anybody. I will have to take the buck to myself because I was in administration too long." 
 Mukherjee, while interacting with a delegation of CEOs from the <keyword id="6357722" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="silicon-valley">Silicon Valley</keyword> here, said India needs to grow at the rate of 10 per cent over period of next 10-15 years in order to address the issues of poverty and healthcare. 
 
"Some of you have correctly pointed out that they (new entrepreneurs) feel confident, they want to do..It is the job of the government to create the policy environment to encourage entrepreneurship. We have taken too long but nonetheless we have taken that decision. We have woken up," he told the CEOs while referring to the 'Start-Up' campaign which is aimed at boosting entrepreneurship at grassroots level. 
 
(Image: PIB)

President Pranab Mukherjee agrees he didn’t do enough as FM for Startup India

<keyword id="6363133" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Manohar-Parrikar">Manohar Parrikar</keyword> resigned to head to Goa as the next Chief Minister and <keyword id="6355261" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Finance-minister">Finance Minister</keyword> <keyword id="42575" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arun-Jaitley">Arun Jaitley</keyword> was told to take additional charge as the country's Defence Minister. 
 President <keyword id="6359124" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pranab-Mukherjee">Pranab Mukherjee</keyword> had accepted Mr Parrikar's resignation with immediate effect. "Further as advised by the Prime Minister, the President has directed that Shri Arun Jaitley, Cabinet Minister, shall be assigned the charge of the <keyword id="6369097" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Defence">Ministry of Defence</keyword>, in addition to his existing portfolios," a statement from Mr Mukherjee's office said. 
 Mr Jaitley had started out his innings in the Modi Government with charge for the two ministries on either side of Raisina Hill; the <keyword id="25455" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="finance">finance</keyword> ministry in North Block and the defence ministry across the road, in South Block. He relinquished the defence ministry in November 2014 when Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> brought in Manohar Parrikar from Goa to continue attempts to get the procurement process - halted during the previous UPA's tenure - back on track. 
 
But Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar - who had replaced Mr Parrikar in 2014 - was not a patch on his predecessor. The BJP not only ended up with just 13 seats in the 40-seat assembly in the just-concluded elections but Mr Parsekar could not win a seat for himself. And he had contested from two. 
 
 
Even as Defence Minister, Mr Parrikar has often been called Goa's super chief minister, a reflection of the IIT-Bombay graduate's abiding interest in state politics even after taking charge of the Defence Ministry. 
 
That the defence minister was headed home became crystal clear over the weekend when the BJP's former former ally, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party or MGP, offered support to the BJP on condition that Mr Parrikar heads the government. 
 
It is an option that Mr Parrikar had never really turned his back on. When he was asked about the possibility of his return to state politics after he voted in last month's election, Mr Parrikar's gave a cryptic response: "I have lost 4 kg in Delhi because of the food. I like Goan food. You can interpret this the way you want."

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Gets Defence Ministry After Manohar Parrikar Heads To Goa

NEW DELHI: Parliament on Wednesday passed the crucial <keyword id="6356353" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="lokpal">Lokpal</keyword> Bill with the <keyword id="6355187" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha">Lok Sabha</keyword> adopting the measure as amended by the Rajya Sabha after a short discussion. Following are the salient features of the amended Lokpal Bill. 
 
1. Lokayuktas: The new bill mandates states to set up Lokayuktas within 365 days. States have the freedom to determine the nature and type of Lokayukta. 
 
The old bill said the law shall be applicable to states only if they give consent to its application. 
 
The old bill gave power to the central government to appoint state Lokayuktas while the new draft gives this power to the states. 
 
2. Constitution of Lokpal: The Lokpal will consist of a chairperson and a maximum of eight members, of which fifty percent shall be judicial members. Fifty percent members of Lokpal shall be from among SC, ST, OBCs, minorities and women. 
 The older version said the chairperson shall be the <keyword id="42759" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Chief-Justice">Chief Justice</keyword> of India or a present or former <keyword id="18182" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Judge">judge</keyword> of the <keyword id="6354977" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Supreme-Court">Supreme Court</keyword> or a non-judicial member with specified qualifications (chief justice or a judge of a high court). 
 
3. Selection of Lokpal: The selection committee will have <keyword id="71" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Prime-Minister">Prime Minister</keyword>, Lok Sabha Speaker, leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. A fifth member of the selection committee for selection of Lokpal under the category of "eminent jurist" may be nominated by the <keyword id="2540" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="President">President</keyword> on the basis of recommendation of the first four members of the selection committee. 
 
In the old bill, selection of the fifth person was left entirely to the President. 
 
4. Religious bodies and trust: The new bill includes societies and trusts that collect public money, receive <keyword id="6357455" type="EVENT" weightage="40" keywordseo="Funding">funding</keyword> from foreign sources, and have an income level above a certain threshold, it excludes bodies creating endowments for or performing religious or charitable functions. 
 
The old bill expanded definition of public servant by bringing societies and trusts which receive donations from the public (over a specified annual income) and, organisations which receive foreign donations (over Rs 10 lakh a year) within the purview of the Lokpal. 
 
5. Prosecution: In the new version, before taking a decision on filing a chargesheet in a case upon consideration of the investigation report, the Lokpal may authorise its own prosecution wing or the concerned investigating agency to initiate prosecution in special courts. 
 
Under the old bill, prosecution of the case could be done only by the prosecution wing of the Lokpal. 
 
6. Central Bureau of Investigation: For independence of the CBI, in the new bill a directorate of prosecution will be formed. Appointment of the director of prosecution will be on the recommendation of the <keyword id="403158" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Central-Vigilance-Commissioner">Central Vigilance Commissioner</keyword>. 
 
Transfer of officers of CBI investigating cases referred by Lokpal will be only with the approval of Lokpal who will also have superintendence over CBI in relation to Lokpal referred cases. 
 
7. Hearing: The new bill says a government servant will get a hearing before a decision is taken by the Lokpal. 
 
8. Prime Minister: The Prime Minister will be under the purview of the Lokpal with subject matter exclusions and specific process for handling complaints against the Prime Minister. 
 
9. Investigation: Inquiry has to be completed within 60 days and investigation to be completed within six months. Lokpal shall order an investigation only after hearing the public servant. 
 
Inquiry against the prime minister has to be held in-camera and approved by two-thirds of the full bench of the Lokpal. 
 
10. Penalty: False and frivolous complaints - imprisonment up to one year and a fine of up to Rs.1 lakh. Public servants - imprisonment up to seven years. Criminal misconduct and habitually abetting corruption - jail term up to 10 years. 
 
 
Lokpal’s journey to transparency 
 
1966 
 <keyword id="238033" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Morarji-Desai">Morarji Desai</keyword> led First Administrative Reforms Commission recommends setting up of Lokpal at Centre and Lokayukta in states to look into complaints against public functionaries, including MPs 
 
1968-2001 
 
Successive governments introduce Lokpal bill eight times 
 
2002 
 
Justice MN Venkatachaliah led Constitution Review Commission stresses the need for Lokpal and Lokayuktas 
 
2004 
 
UPA-I's national common minimum programme promises that Lokpal bill would be enacted 
 
2005 
 
Veerappa Moily led Second Administrative Reforms Commission reiterates that Lokpal be established without delay 
 
2011 
 Jan: UPA-II's GoM headed by <keyword id="6359124" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Pranab-Mukherjee">Pranab Mukherjee</keyword> suggests a range of anti-corruption measures, including the Lokpal bill 
 Apr 5: <keyword id="57766" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Anna-Hazare">Anna Hazare</keyword> begins his first fast at Jantar Mantar demanding enactment of <keyword id="541695" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="Jan-Lokpal-Bill">Jan Lokpal bill</keyword> drafted by his team 
 
Apr 9: Anna ends fast as the government forms a joint drafting committee consisting of ministers and civil society members 
 
Jun 21: The last meeting of the drafting committee ends with the two sides coming up with separate drafts 
 
Aug 4: Govt introduces a Lokpal bill, widely attacked as fl awed 
 
Aug 8: Bill referred to standing committee 
 
Aug 16: Anna launches second fast for Jan Lokpal bill 
 
Dec 22: Govt re-introduces Lokpal and Lokayuktas bill 
 
Dec 27: Lok Sabha passes bill 
 
Dec 29: Introduced in Rajya Sabha 
 
2012 
 
Re-introduced in Rajya Sabha. Referred to select committee 
 
2013 
 
Dec 10: Anna Hazare begins fast in his village in Maharashtra, demanding urgent introduction of a new anti-corruption law 
 
Dec 13: Amended bill tabled in Rajya Sabha 
 
Dec 18: Lok Sabha passes the ammended bill. Anna Hazare breaks his fast. 
 
(With inputs from IANS)

All you want to know about Lokpal Bill

It might have been an indication of how things were to progress when <keyword id="46675" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Wal-Mart">Wal-Mart</keyword>’s CTO <keyword id="1015034" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="Jeremy-King">Jeremy King</keyword> visited the country in September 2012. In a run-up to setting up the business and harnessing the FDI-favourable <keyword id="6366415" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="atmosphere">atmosphere</keyword> in India, the biggest global retailer had sent its top executive to hold meetings with the top brass of India, including a meeting with <keyword id="2540" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="President">President</keyword> <keyword id="6359124" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Pranab-Mukherjee">Pranab Mukherjee</keyword>. 
 
But that was a visit which was simply ‘not to be.’ Right from the beginning, the jinx continued. Upon his arrival in Bangalore (along with his team of executives) in a chartered flight from the US, King was told his visa had expired even before his arrival. He was then given a 3-day temporary landing permit, with a Bangalore-only caveat. Hurried meetings over, King left India. Obviously, this cost someone in King’s office his job. 
 From then on, the talks didn’t seem to progress smoothly for Wal-Mart or its US team or even the team it had set up in India. After being at the helm of affairs and paving the way for Wal-Mart’s Indian <keyword id="45535" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="Saga">saga</keyword>, Raj Jain, <keyword id="5645" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="CEO">CEO</keyword> of <keyword id="303382" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Bharti-Walmart-Pvt-Ltd">Bharti Walmart Pvt Ltd</keyword>, quit the post, even as the global retailer was working out the details of its India operations. Quite a blow it was. 
 But try not to be myopic here. First of all, the company was battling its own issues. But the <keyword id="44734" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Indian-Government">Indian government</keyword>’s hesitant steps towards opening <keyword id="254856" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="40" keywordseo="The-Doors">the doors</keyword> for Wal-Mart and creating a feasible <keyword id="6356826" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="environment">environment</keyword> by allowing 51% <keyword id="44528" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="FDI">FDI</keyword> in multi-brand retail only compounded those issues. There are versions that speak of Wal-Mart’s desperate attempts to enter the <keyword id="47445" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="Indian-market">Indian market</keyword>, even while battling the charges in the US. Mysteriously enough, the same kind of charges involving corruption and bribery followed the retail giant in India as well. 
 
If the reason for this was obvious, it’s because there was no way this could be dressed in any other garb to camouflage it. While the government was in the process of drafting a Press note that would effectively allow foreign companies to breach the investment levels as per their convenience, it was leaked to the media. That was probably another major blow. The Opposition bayed for government’s blood over that and the government’s just shrugged them aside. 
 
Wal-Mart’s internal structure was not conducive either, to make things happen or focus on a midway to create inroads on its own. The highly volatile atmosphere within Wal-Mart’s India team only contributed to the lost ground. Losing some big players had cost the retail giant dearly. 
 
Typically, foreign companies will have to ally with local partner/s to run businesses in the country. But in order to favour the entry of more companies under FDI, the government had relaxed the rules and created a leeway of sorts – by stating that the companies could set up business by buying 30% of locally manufactured products from small and medium-sized local sellers with nearly $2 million invested in industry and machinery. 
 
But none of this was ‘favourable’ enough for Wal-Mart. In a recently concluded interview, a top brass from Wal-Mart said this “just wasn’t enough” to set up a retail chain in India. “The entry barriers are simply difficult to cross. They aren’t workable,” the executive added. 
 
Wal-Mart had expected a levelled playing field with local traders and businessmen, as against global retail operations. Wal-Mart had clearly not got its logic together, which eventually proved that the company didn’t get its act together either. 
 
Although a tie-up with Wal-Mart would have given Bharti an edge and a phenomenal learning advantage in operating international-standard retail chains, experts feel that the loss of Wal-Mart in this deal is bigger than that of Bharti. The estranged Indian partner of the global retailer will open its own chain of supermarkets very soon, all over India. 
 It means these former partners will become competitors in the near future. Now, <keyword id="130164" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="The-Game">the game</keyword> has begun. 
 The entire episode has spooked foreign investors regarding red tapism and other difficulties in getting their operations on the ground in India. A sagging <keyword id="34412" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="economy">economy</keyword> and rising <keyword id="22195" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Inflation">inflation</keyword> are threats as well. The only solace, however, is the falling <keyword id="6355302" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rupee">rupee</keyword> which is giving them the breather. 
 
With the deal falling through, Wal-Mart may well have nailed its own coffin in India. But this may not be entirely good for the country’s investment weather either.

Retail Wars: Why Wal-Mart’s India Plans
Hit A Wall

Within seven months of taking office as the <keyword id="130" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Governor">Governor</keyword> of Kerala, <keyword id="5267" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sheila-Dikshit">Sheila Dikshit</keyword> has put in her papers. She resigned a day after meeting Home Minister <keyword id="6355121" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Rajnath-Singh">Rajnath Singh</keyword> and President <keyword id="6359124" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Pranab-Mukherjee">Pranab Mukherjee</keyword> in Delhi. 
 
Her resignation comes after a long-drawn resistance against the Centre’s move to replace the governors appointed during UPA regime. 
 
As per reports, Dikshit will now be back to Delhi to prepare for the prospective Assembly elections in the state. 
 
An FIR is already lodged against the former Delhi chief minister in a streetlight scheme scam that took place prior to the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The FIR was lodged under the Prevention of Corruption Act. 
 
The complaint alleges Dikshit and her ex-Cabinet colleague Rajkumar Chauhan made “illegal gains” for themselves and caused a loss of Rs 31.07 crore to the exchequer. 
 
The complaint accuses her of “displaying an unusual interest in the project and favouring a company which was earlier declared ineligible for the project.” 
 
“…It appears that there was clear collusion with vendors by some officials and the then chief minister/ministers to cause a huge financial loss to the government and wrongful gain to the vendors/contractors and others,” the complaint said. The police would now be free to take action against her as she has lost the immunity that she enjoyed as the Governor.

Kerala Governor Sheila Dikshit Resigns, May Face Action In CWG Scam

<keyword id="6354561" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ram-Nath-Kovind">Ram Nath Kovind</keyword> has become India’s 14th President. His supporters were seen singing and dancing to the drumbeats at his residence in Paraunkh near Kanpur. Kovind, who was nominated by the BJP-led <keyword id="105903" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Democratic-Alliance">National Democratic Alliance</keyword>, received 7, 02, 644 votes and scored an easy win over the opposition's candidate Meira Kumar, a former Lok Sabha Speaker. Kovind won by 65.65% votes. Meira Kumar got 34.35% of votes. His successor President Pranab Mukherjee will demit office on July 25. Ram Nath Kovind was born on October 1, 1945 in Kanpur Dehat, UP. Kovind has been a member of <keyword id="48510" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rajya-Sabha">Rajya Sabha</keyword> from UP for two terms: 1994-2000 and 2000-2006. He is a Dalit leader and headed BJP's Scheduled Caste Morcha between 1999 and 2002. He has been working on various issues related to Dalit and Scheduled Castes, and has served in many committees.

Breaking News: Ram Nath Kovind is the new President

NEW DELHI: <keyword id="2540" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="President">President</keyword> Pranab Mukherjee may not invite the single largest pre-poll combination to form the government unless it provides letters of support from more parties to prove that it has the required numbers. 
 
After extensive consultations on how to ascertain who is best suited to provide a stable government in a hung House scenario, Mukherjee seems to have concluded that the contenders for power ought to back up their claims of majority support by producing letters of support from their post-poll allies. 
 
“He wants to make sure that those who stake claim to form government actually enjoy majority support in the House,” said a source familiar with the details of the deliberations Mukherjee has been holding in order to ensure that the next regime turns out to be a stable one. 
 
He has been advised that this could be done only by seeking letters of support from post-poll alliance partners, as was done on an earlier occasion. 
 After Rajiv Gandhi refused to form government despite <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> emerging as the single largest party in 1989, the then president R Venkataraman invited V P Singh to form government as the leader of Janata Dal, which managed to cobble together a post-poll alliance. 
 
The precedent was followed by Shankar Dayal Sharma in 1996 to invite Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led BJP to form the government even though it had only 161 members and absolutely no chance of reaching the magic figure of 272. BJP was surprised by the invite, though it grabbed the opportunity to form the first-ever saffron regime at the Centre. With the “secular” parties combining against him, Vajpayee’s government quit after 13 days. 
 
Sharma’s successor KR Narayanan chose to play safe when Vajpayee staked his second claim two years later, and insisted on seeing letters of support even when the BJP-led NDA pre-poll alliance had won the majority. 
 The use of the same yardstick by Narayanan a year later resulted in huge embarrassment for Congress president Sonia Gandhi. The Congress president had claimed she had the support of 272 but with SP chief <keyword id="25541" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Mulayam-singh">Mulayam Singh</keyword> Yadav backing out at the last minute, came short when the President asked for letters of support. 
 
 
 
 
 
When contacted by TOI, noted constitutional expert and former attorney general Soli J Sorabjee suggested that producing letters of support may not be necessary if the President is satisfied that the single largest party or pre-poll coalition holds the prospect of providing a viable government after an election which fails to throw up an outright winner. 
 
“If the President is satisfied on that count, then there is no need to seek letters of support from post-poll alliance partners. After inviting the largest coalition or party to form government, he could given them reasonable time, say a week or two, to prove its majority on the floor of the House,” Sorabjee said. 
 “The President need not test the strength of the party or coalition in the <keyword id="6355187" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha">Lok Sabha</keyword> before inviting it to form government. The test of strength is in the House and not in Rashtrapati Bhavan. Though, there is nothing in the Constitution which bars the President from seeking letters of support from post-poll alliance partners, it sounds a little unethical,” he added.

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