M A I N   N E W S

Fresh tariff concessions to Beijing

New Delhi, June 28
As a follow-up to the recent China visit of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to step up economic cooperation, the government today decided to offer fresh tariff concessions to Beijing.

This was decided at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Mr Vajpayee, Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie told reporters here.

The tariff concessions have been provided under the Bangkok Agreement that is in operation among the South Asian and Pacific countries.

The tariff concessions are expected to be reciprocated by China. This would lead to a rise in exports of major items like chemicals, leather, textiles and diamonds to China. The concessions will be available to around 700 items which constitute about 30 per cent of Indian exports.

PM to come under Lok Pal’s ambit

The Lok Pal Bill seeking to check corruption in high places and bringing within its ambit Prime Minister was also approved today by the Union Cabinet.

Announcing the decision after the Cabinet meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mrs Sushma Swaraj, said the Prime Minister was keen on the passage of the Bill in the forthcoming Monsoon session of Parliament.

She said the Cabinet had accepted the recommendations of the Standing Committee of Home Affairs for the inclusion of the Prime Minister within the ambit of the Bill. She said the Commission set up by the government to review the Constitution had recommended that the Prime Minister be kept out of the Ombudsman’s purview. — PTI, UNI