L A T E S T      N E W S

Walmart issue raises storm in Parliament

New Delhi: In an effort to break the deadlock in Parliament, the UPA government on Tuesday said it was ready to make a statement on the Walmart lobbying issue.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said the government was ready to respond on the matter, and appealed to the Opposition to let Parliament function.

Sources said Union Commerce and Industries Minister Anand Sharma may make a statement in Parliament today on the Wal-Mart lobbying issue.

The government is worried that its big bang reforms may get derailed if the deadlock over the Walmart issue and promotions in quota Bill persists.

The Congress core group, which met in Parliament complex this morning, is reported to have discussed ways to end the Parliament impasse.

Service tax due, KFA aircraft impounded

Mumbai: Two Kingfisher airplanes have been impounded in Mumbai in the last three days after the airline’s failure to pay service tax dues of Rs63 crore. A notice issued by the service tax department states that the airline has additional outstanding dues of about Rs128 crore. “We have

impounded one aircraft while the second one is in the process of detention,” said Sushil Solanki, commissioner, service tax, Mumbai. He added that the department has informally directed the airline not to move three more planes, as they too might be impounded. The airplanes were impounded between December 8 and 10.

The airline can’t lease the aircraft or use it to raise any revenue. This will add to the cash-strapped airline’s problems in resuming services.

A Kingfisher spokesperson said: “We have told the department that the airline is a lesse of the impounded airplanes. Since the airline does not own the aircraft, it can claim compensation against losses incurred because of the department order.”

Rahul Gandhi holds rallies in Gujarat

Ahemdabad: Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi will finally enter the battleground in Gujarat on Tuesday just two days ahead of first phase of polling in the BJP-ruled state.

Taking the Congress’ campaign against hardline Chief Minister Narendra Modi forward, Rahul is set to address public rallies at Jamnagar, Amreli and Ahmedabad during his day-long visit to the state.

Sanand, Jamnagar and Amreli fall in the Saurashtra regions where Modi is set to face a tough challenge from BJP rebels led by Keshubhai Patel.

Ahead of Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have already campaigned in the state where the party is out of power for two decades.

Congress high command decided to send Rahul Gandhi to campaign for the party in Gujarat after Modi dared him to enter the state.

In his previous poll speeches, Modi had said that Rahul was afraid of campaigning in Gujarat because he did not want to take responsibility of his party's defeat.