S P O T L I G H T

Kelkar to submit reports today
New Delhi, December 26
Mr Vijay Kelkar, Adviser to the Finance Minister, will submit the final reports on direct and indirect taxes tomorrow. Mr Kelkar was scheduled to submit his final report on indirect taxes today and direct taxes tomorrow. However, the report could not be submitted to Mr Jaswant Singh as he was indisposed today. The Task Force on Tax Reforms, headed by Mr Kelkar, which has submitted consultation papers on direct and indirect taxes, is likely to water down some of his earlier provisions in view of the scathing criticism from various quarters, including BJP members. Among other issues, the criticism pertains to eliminating exemptions on housing loans. UNI

MLAs take oath
Gandhinagar, December 26
Protem Speaker Daulatbhai Desai today administered the oath to 180 newly elected members of the 11th Gujarat Legislative Assembly here. Of the 181-members elected, Nagar Vasava from the Songadh (ST) constituency was absent during the oath taking ceremony. Chief Minister Narendra Modi and his 15-member council of ministers were the first to take the oath followed by Leader of Opposition Amarsinh Choudhary. Meanwhile, Prof Mangaldas Patel, BJP MLA from Mansa, is likely to be elected unopposed the Speaker of the House. PTI