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| 09/03/2010 | New agony for family of kidnapped Sahil |
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The family of kidnapped boy Sahil Saeed have suffered fresh anguish after hopes he had been found turned out to be a false alarm. Reports from Pakistan yesterday suggested there had been a breakthrough in the search for the Oldham five-year-old. 
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| 09/03/2010 | £1m counterfeit cash gang jailed |
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A man who circulated fake cash around Hyndburn has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison. Yasin Patel was part of a gang that attempted to produce more than £1M of counterfeit coins and notes. 
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| 09/03/2010 | Recognition for business champion Razia |
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An entrepreneur from Nelson has been recognised for her work encouraging others to start businesses. Razia Ahmed, who runs Aquarius Driving School, was among the Business Champions presented with certificates at an event at Burnley FC’s Turf Moor ground. They also discussed other ways to get more people into business. 
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| 09/03/2010 | South Asian communities at risk of vitamin D deficiency |
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Babies and toddlers of South Asian origin are amongst the most at risk of vitamin D deficiency. The Department of Health is urging all pregnant and breastfeeding women to take a daily vitamin D supplement to ensure their babies get enough and are at less risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency. 
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| 03/03/2010 | Akshay Kumar kickstarts shoot for Tees Maar Khan |
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Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar and Bollywood’s most lovable director, Farah Khan have just kick-started their already-hyped new venture Tees Maar Khan at Mumbai's Film City. Akshay is currently shooting his introductory shot in the film - a major action comedy scene on a huge jumbo jet constructed by set director, Sabu Cyril. 
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| 03/03/2010 | Hrithik Roshan on the colours of love |
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On the occasion of Holi, Hrithik Roshan speaks up on his colourful life and his upcoming movie Kites, which stars Brazilian actress Barbara Mori and the beautiful Kangana Ranaut in a never-seen-before role. 
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| 08/03/2010 | 12th London Asian Film Festival attracts Bollywood stars |
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Bollywood fans in the UK will get the chance to interact with some of the biggest names in the Hindi film industry at the Tongues on Fire 12th London Asian Film Festival (5-14 March 2010). Leading Bollywood figures are scheduled to attend including Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Jaya Bachchan, Soha Ali Khan and Sharmila Tagore. 
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| 01/03/2010 | Abhay Deol raring to go with Road, Movie |
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One of the big winners at the weekend Filmfare awards was Abhay Deol starrer Dev D, which bagged a handful of statuettes.
Now the poster boy of offbeat Hindi cinema is back with his new release, Indo-American production Road, Movie. 
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| 24/02/2010 | Search is on for the next Rishi Rich Project band members |
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Music producer Rishi Rich has launched the search for the next Rishi Rich Project group members. After successfully putting together Juggy D and Jay Sean as part of the original chart topping Rishi Rich Project, he is now looking for the stars of the future. 
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| 22/02/2010 | Official Asian download chart announced |
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The BBC Asian Network has announced that it will broadcast the world’s first official Asian download chart. Presented by Bobby Friction, the three hour extended show is set to launch on Saturday 27 March from 3pm – 6pm. 
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| 22/02/2010 | Anurag Basu rubbishes rumours that Rajkumar Hirani is to edit Kites |
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Director Anurag Basu has rubbished reports that producer Rakesh Roshan wanted 3 Idiots helmer Rajkumar Hirani to edit his film Kites. 
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| 20/02/2010 | Jaya Bachchan to receive Lifetime Achievement Award |
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Bollywood legend Jaya Bachchan will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in a special ceremony in London next month. The award is for her outstanding contribution to cinema spanning over three decades, which will be presented by Tongues on Fire film festival in a gala dinner at Sheraton Hotel in Piccadilly, hosted by British television and film actor Rizwan Ahmed. 
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| 20/02/2010 | B4U announce its Spring Festival |
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B4U Movies has announced its Spring Festival - a month of exclusive programming throughout March. As part of the Festival, B4U movies will show the latest Bollywood hit films - fresh out of the cinema - straight to your screens. 
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| 09/03/2010 | ‘No hate’ film crew earns a top rating |
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An award winning youth group from Wardleworth in Rochdale are taking their work to other young people around the borough as part of a project about community cohesion. Towards the end of last year, the Don't Hate Us, Rate Us group received the 'best issue based drama' award at a ceremony in Manchester for their short film based on terrorism. 
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| 09/03/2010 | Full marks for ‘amazing’ school |
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Teachers and pupils in Chadderton have been celebrating after their school was declared ‘amazing’. Education watchdogs have been singing the praises of Burnley Brow school after a recent inspection. 
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| 09/03/2010 | Bhaji Man says home-cooked curry can spice up your love life |
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A 75-year-old entrepreneur nicknamed the Bhaji Man is convinced a home-cooked curry is the perfect recipe for romance. And the man who started his business cooking onion bhajis for neighbours in his Norfolk village is launching four new spice kits with the slogan "let’s cook at home." 
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| 09/03/2010 | Manchester entrepreneur nominated for two awards |
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Founder and managing director of the Deaf Education Advocacy Fellowship (DEAF), Esmail Patel has been nominated for two awards at the upcoming Ethnic Minority Business Forum Awards. The 27-year-old has been nominated in the Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Rising Star categories. |
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| 09/03/2010 | Paragon Club confirms leading entrepreneur Azeem Ibrahim as keynote speaker |
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Scottish entrepreneur and founder of ECM Holdings, Azeem Ibrahim has been confirmed as the keynote speaker at The Paragon Club, the new business network launched last month by Charan Gill MBE. Mr Ibrahim will use the occasion to reflect on his career to illustrate just what can be achieved by those from humble backgrounds in the UK. Having been raised in a council house in Anderston, Glasgow, the last few years have seen him become a renowned advisor to world leaders. |
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| 08/03/2010 | Maryam ‘power house of future’ |
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Manchester councillor Maryam Khan, who is bidding to become Britain's first female Asian MP, has been named a 'power house of the future' in a list of the country's women to watch. The 27-year-old solicitor, who is standing as the first female prospective parliamentary candidate in Bury North, has been hailed as 'Labour's next leading light' by Red magazine in a 'hot' list of 20 talents under 30. 
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| 08/03/2010 | E-fit released following attack on woman |
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An e-fit of a man who attacked a woman in Whalley Range, Manchester has been released in an attempt to trace him.
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South Asia National News from AussieIndoLanka
| 10/03/2010 | Madhya Pradesh CM wants Gita in school curricula |
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First it was sun worship and yoga in government schools and now the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has made it a mission to introduce the Bhagavad Gita in school curricula.
“I had met swami Arganad and there this thought had come why not introduce the Bhagwad Gita as a moral science subject. I am very seriously contemplating on this,” said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Proponents call it an inspired plan. Chouhan critics call it yet another step by the BJP to saffronise schools.
"The Shivraj Singh led government wants to do everything that will annoy the minorities. That is their aim,” said Congress MLA Arif Aqueel.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/madhya-pradesh-cm-wants-gita-in-school-curricula/111309-3.html?from=tn
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| 10/03/2010 | Fonseka suspends fast |
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General Sarath Fonseka suspended his fast unto death today morning when the military granted him permission to speak to his daughters via his wife’s mobile phone last night, his wife Anoma Fonseka said.
Speaking to Daily Mirror Online, Mrs. Fonseka said that the military had contacted her late last evening, asking her to visit her husband immediately with her mobile phone as he had been granted permission to speak to his children through her number.
"I went to see my husband at around 11 in the night after the military called me. He spoke to his daughter’s through my mobile phone and now he is a bit relieved,” Mrs. Fonseka said.
The military had earlier provided telephone facilities to the General which he had refused insisting that he would stop his fast only if he was given his wife’s mobile phone.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/index.php/news/2245-fonseka-suspends-fast-unto-death.html
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| 10/03/2010 | I never wanted to back out, we have seen worse: Sonia Gandhi |
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Congress president Sonia Gandhi was confident of the stability of the Manmohan Singh government despite opposition from the RJD, the SP and the BSP to the women’s Bill and their reported threat to withdraw support to the UPA.
Asked whether the Centre was stable, she said: "I think so. But one can never tell. I am not an astrologer…." Although she hoped the UPA’s former partners would remain with them, she added that the Congress-led combine would be "okay".
"I can’t see any issue coming up. The DMK and the NCP are fully in support of the Bill. At the cabinet meeting, I’m told, Mamata Banerjee was quite enthusiastic. If there had to be any problem, it would have been evident then," she told reporters in Parliament House even as the Rajya Sabha debated the Bill.
As for new allies, she said "let’s see". She admitted there was "some nervousness, some concern. But then we have seen worse situations."
http://www.hindustantimes.com/I-never-wanted-to-back-out-we-have-seen-worse-Sonia-Gandhi/H1-Article1-517163.aspx
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| 10/03/2010 | Can women’s quota bill pass Lok Sabha test? |
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The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government is elated after the Rajya Sabha passed the Women’s Reservation Bill but the real test is still to take place in the Lok Sabha.
With Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress opposing the Bill and the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Samajwadi Party withdrawing support to the UPA Government, the future seems uncertain.
The Government may still have the numbers in the Lok Sabha, but it is fast shrinking. The majority is now just wafer thin, making passage of reforms and bold policies difficult.
Before the Women’s Reservation Bill was brought in Parliament the UPA enjoyed the support of 321 MPs.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/can-womens-quota-bill-pass-lok-sabha-test/111310-37.html?from=tn
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| 10/03/2010 | India takes a giant leap for womankind |
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In a giant leap for womankind of the sort few countries have attempted before, the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday voted to amend the Constitution to reserve one-third of seats in Parliament and the State Assemblies for women.
The House recorded its vote of 191 for and 1 against at 7.25 p.m. Sharad Joshi of the Swatanatra Bharat Paksh was the lone naysayer when Chairman Hamid Ansari took the final count on the passage of the historic Women’s Reservation Bill after three hours of debate. The Bill, formally known as the 108th constitutional amendment, must now be passed by the Lok Sabha and ratified by at least half the States for becoming effective.
www.hindu.com/2010/03/10/stories/2010031064600100.htm
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| 10/03/2010 | Pak army involved in 26/11 terror attacks: Prosecution |
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Pakistan army was involved in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and a serving Major General had supervised their training across the border at LeT camps, the prosecution told a special court in Mumbai.
Opening its final arguments in the case, special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist, and his nine slain accomplices had undergone military and intelligence training at the hands of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which was supervised by certain officers of the Pakistan army.
"The conspiracy of the 26/11 attack was hatched on Pakistan soil and inevitable inference can be drawn that the attack was State-sponsored," he said.
ibnlive.in.com/news/pak-army-involved-in-2611-terror-attacks-prosecution/111285-3.html
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| 10/03/2010 | Now or never, says Sonia; and party falls in line |
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It was Sonia Gandhi’s decisive “now or never” stand, underlined at Monday night’s core group meeting, that eventually paved the way for the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha today. Overriding concerns expressed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee that opposition over the Bill would affect the smooth passage of the government’s financial business in Parliament, she made her stand clear — and the shift in the UPA strategy as the Upper House met on Tuesday was evident.
After hearing out both the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister at the meeting, Sonia, according to sources, said there was no point in putting the Bill on the backburner simply because of threats from opposing parties.
www.indianexpress.com/news/now-or-never-says-sonia-and-party-falls-in-line/588973/
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| 10/03/2010 | Mamata abstains from vote after lunch with the Yadavs, UPA plate full |
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In a development that stumped the government, its key constituent Trinamool Congress on Tuesday abstained from voting on the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha on the directive of party chief Mamata Banerjee, who alleged that she was kept in the dark over the way the Bill was being passed.
Interestingly, the change in the mercurial leader’s stand came after a meeting with the Yadav duo, Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh, over lunch and with members of some half-a-dozen Muslim organisations who are opposing the Bill demanding sub-quota for OBCs and Muslim women.
The government was little prepared for this, considering that just a day earlier, Mamata along with her party MPs had broken out into “We shall overcome...” in the Lok Sabha to express her strong support for the Bill.
www.indianexpress.com/news/mamata-abstains-from-vote-after-lunch-with-the-yadavs-upa-plate-full/588968/
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| 09/03/2010 | Disruptive’ Indian MPs suspended over women’s bill |
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Seven Indian MPs have been suspended by Vice President Hamid Ansari for disrupting proceedings in the upper house (Rajya Sabha) on Monday.
The MPs had shouted slogans, snatched papers from Mr Ansari’s table, torn them and thrown them at him.
They were angry at the reintroduction of a bill to reserve a third of all seats in the national parliament and state legislatures for women.
On Monday voting in the upper house was delayed after protests from opponents.
The bill was first proposed in 1996 but never passed. But this time it has the backing of India’s main parties.
At present women make up just 10% of the lower house of parliament, and significantly less in state assemblies.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8556961.stm
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| 09/03/2010 | Sonia’s bid to persuade Lalu, Mulayam fails |
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Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh Yadav, two prominent opponents of Women’s Reservation Bill, had a nearly 20-minute interaction with Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, but both sides appeared to have failed to convince each other.
Gandhi, who is also the UPA chairperson, used the period between two adjournments to reach out to the two Yadavs, who along with JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav form part of the trio which is vehemently opposing the bill in its present form. The SP and RJD leaders apparently utilised the time to convey their stand to Gandhi that the measure would hit the weaker sections hard.
At one point, Gandhi seemed to be suggesting to them that they should agree to go ahead with the measure in its present form and after that their ideas could be considered.
Home Minister P Chidambaram, who was occupying the front row along with Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, apparently seemed to be contesting the claims of the two Yadavs.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sonias-bid-to-persuade-lalu-mulayam-fails/111276-37.html?from=tn
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| 09/03/2010 | Sonia talks to Lalu, Mulayam; no agreement in sight |
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Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh Yadav, two prominent opponents of Women’s Reservation Bill, had a nearly 20-minute interaction with Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, but both sides appeared to have failed to convince each other.
Gandhi, who is also the UPA chairperson, used the period between two adjournments to reach out to the two Yadavs, who along with JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav form part of the trio which is vehemently opposing the bill in its present form.
The SP and RJD leaders apparently utilised the time to convey their stand to Gandhi that the measure would hit the weaker sections hard.
At one point, Gandhi seemed to be suggesting to them that they should agree to go ahead with the measure in its present form and after that their ideas could be considered.
www.indianexpress.com/news/sonia-talks-to-lalu-mulayam-no-agreement-in-sight/588730/
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| 09/03/2010 | Sonia Gandhi, Nooyi in Asia’s 8 top power women |
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Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Pepsico’s India-born CEO Indra Nooyi and ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kochhar figure in CNN’s list of eight of Asia’s top power women.
Taking a "look at the key women who are shaping Asia’s political and economic landscape" on the occasion of 100th International Women’s Day, the CNN’s list is headed by China’s "Paper Queen" Zhang Yin.
Indra Nooyi, in the second place, "lords over some 185,000 corporate minions in close to 200 countries", notes CNN. "Nooyi’s hard-as-nails leadership and her sense of fun (one-time lead guitarist in an all-girls rock band still performs regularly at corporate functions) has earned her spots on many ’best leader’ lists in the US," it adds.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sonia-gandhi-nooyi-in-asias-8-top-power-women/111237-19.html?from=tn
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| 09/03/2010 | LTTE proxies searching for Prabha |
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The government is concerned that some umbrella organizations of the LTTE are still trying to trace their leader LTTE Chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and the matter has been discussed with India, the government said.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama conveyed these concerns at a meeting held with Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao today.
Minister Bogollagama also informed Rao that Sri Lanka would continue to be vigilant and engage in countering measures against terrorism to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country.
“We discussed terrorism and the continuous need for us to be vigilant in counter terrorism measures. I shared with the Indian Foreign Secretary our concerns in the international front in the lines on which some of the umbrella organizations of the LTTE are still trying to trace their head,” Minister Bogollagama told journalists.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/index.php/news/2229-ltte-proxies-searching-for-prabha.html
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| 09/03/2010 | Dead kid’s parents thank Aus cops, people for support |
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Parents of three-year-old Indian toddler who died in mysterious circumstances in Australia have thanked the Victorian police and the people who supported them during the ordeal.
Harjit Singh and his wife Harpreet Kaur who were about to leave for India on March 13 were thankful to the police for handling the case professionally, Darebin councillor Tim Singh Laurence who has been closely assisting the grieving family said.
Parents of Gurshan Singh Channa appreciated the efforts of the Victorian police in "quickly solving the case".
"They are relieved now," Tim said adding that there was a possibility of releasing the body by Tuesday.
The couple had expressed their desire to give the last rites to their son in India. Meanwhile, dozens of family members and friends today gathered at a Thomastown house to pay their respects to toddler Gurshan.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/dead-kids-parents-thank-aus-cops-people-for-support/111225-2.html?from=tn
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| 09/03/2010 | Govt looks for consensus, may amend women’s bill |
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Congress President and United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday night made it clear that she wants the Women’s Reservation Bill passed in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
Congress sources said that at the meeting of Congress Core Committee attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and other senior leaders on Monday night it was decided that all attempts would be made to push the Bill through the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday after Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal MPs thwarted the attempts to get it passed on Monday.
Congress is aiming to get the Bill passed even if there are disruptions and sources have also said that party was open to make some changes to the Bill if it helped in arriving at a consensus.
The Prime Minister has also called for an all-party meeting to discuss the Women’s Reservation Bill on Tuesday. He will also meet with Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Janata Dal (U) President Sharad Yadav at his residence at 7 Race Course Road.
ibnlive.in.com/news/govt-looks-for-consensus-may-amend-womens-bill/111257-37.html
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