Daily News Notes

· The Parliament session has been extended for the discussion on Lokpal Bill by three days and will sit on 27, 28 and 29th of this month.
· The government today introduces Citizens Right to Grievance Redressal Bill, 2011, that seeks a time-bound redressal of citizen's complaints. The bill will pave the way for setting up of a central and state public grievances redressal commission and Grievance Redress Officers. According to the Statement of Objectives of the bill, every public authority or government department has to publish a citizen's charter listing all the services that the department has to render along with timelines, and within two days the citizen will receive the response through short messages or e-mail. A unique complaint number will be set up and time frame cannot exceed 30 days from date of the complaint received. If citizens are unhappy with the decision of the Central or State Commissions, they can appeal to the Lokayukta or Lokpal.
· Information and Broadcasting Minister has ruled out any increase in Foreign Direct Investment in newspapers for now. At present 26 percent FDI is allowed in newspapers and current affairs magazines. There are about 77 thousand newspaper magazines Journals weekly, fornightly, monthly which are produced in this country. She also said the Government's pro-active measures like Sarva Siksha Abhiyan has led to a sharp increase in the literacy levels in the country.
· Home Minister today said that a final decision on setting up the National Counter Terrorism Centre-NCTC will be taken before the end of this month. He also said that the Government has adopted a multi-pronged approach, such as setting of Anti-Trafficking Nodal Cell at central level and 335 anti-human trafficking units at state level, to curb the menace of human trafficking.
· Launching the yearlong celebrations to mark the 150 years of the Archeological survey of India, ASI, the Prime Minister advocated for the conservation of rich and diverse cultural heritage of the country as archeology breaches the past with the present and defined our journey to the future. He also said the pressures of Urbanisation and population growth are threatening the historic monuments and called for quick action to preserve them.
· Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh introduced the Manipur Lok Ayukta Bill, 2011 in the state legislative assembly today.
· Addressing the 10th fleet review of the Supreme Commander of Forces, off Mumbai coast today, Indian President released the importance of Navy and Coastguard and said that the maximum amount of foreign trade is carried out through the sea lanes and therefore it become imperative for the Navy to tackle the menace of piracy in the neighboring areas.
Cuba has declared three days of mourning, noting that Cuba's flag would be flown at half mast, mourning due to the passing of comrade Kim Jong-Il. Cuba and North Korea are among the world's five communist nations.