Parliament

New Delhi, May 16 - Strongly favouring nuclear power, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said there would be no compromise on safety of atomic plants and it would be harmful to close the additional source of energy. "It would be harmful for the country to pass an ordinance on denial of nuclear power," Singh said replying to supplementaries during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha.

New Delhi, May 16 - BSP and SP members today created ruckus in the Rajya Sabha over the plight of weavers in Uttar Pradesh leading to two quick adjournments during Question Hour. Trouble started when Salim Ansari (BSP) asked a supplementary question on problems of Banarsi saree weavers in marketing their products and wanted to know if the Centre would consider buying their product directly.

New Delhi, May 15 - The Lokpal bill is expected to be brought in the Rajya Sabha on Monday with some key amendments including removal of the provisions for setting up of Lokayuktas in states. The amended bill could come up for clearance at the meeting of the Union Cabinet on Thursday, a senior Minister involved in the talks to thrash out the differences, said.

New Delhi, May 15 - Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni today sought support of MPs to take strict action against television channels broadcasting objectionable advertisements. Soni made this appeal in the Lok Sabha during Question Hour as she was flooded with demands for action against television channels showing advertisements which are demeaning and derogatory to women.

New Delhi, May 15 - Strongly objecting to a US company launching a beer brand named after Goddess Kali, a demand was made in Rajya Sabha today that US Ambassador to India should be summoned and asked to apologise for it. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP) said it is a serious and sensitive issue that a Portland-based company Burnside Brewing has launched a product titled Kali-Ma beer, hurting the sentiments of Indians.

New Delhi, May 15 - The Direct Taxes Code (DTC) Bill, which seeks to overhaul the 50 year-old Income-tax laws, will be brought in Parliament in the monsoon session and most of the recommendations of the Standing Committee will be accepted. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee stated this in the Rajya Sabha today as he moved the Finance Bill, 2012 for consideration and returning. It has already been approved by the Lok Sabha.

New Delhi, May 15 - Concern was expressed in the Lok Sabha today over continuation of strike by Air India pilots, with Opposition members targeting Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh for his statements outside Parliament indicating privatisation of the national carrier. Launching a scathing attack on Singh, the Opposition threatened to bring a privilege motion against him for speaking on policy issues on civil aviation outside when the House was in session. They also wanted to know what the government was doing to resolve the 8-day impasse with 71 pilots being sacked for their stir.

New Delhi, May 15 - Enforcement Directorate (ED) is probing money laundering cases against Bharti Airtel, Minister of State for Finance S S Palanimanickam informed the Rajya Sabha today. "Directorate of Enforcement is investigating cases under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, and Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, involving M/s Bharti Airtel Ltd," he said in a written reply.

New Delhi, May 15 - Cine superstar Rekha today took oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha, becoming yet another personality from the tinsel town to enter the portals of Parliament. Clad in golden brown saree and a matching high-heel sandals, the 57-year-old actor of yesteryears arrived in the Upper House at 10.57 hours and was immediately surrounded by members who greeted her profusely.