The Hindu : Front Page : Nod for extradition treaty with Iran

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Friday, Sep 12, 2008
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Nod for extradition treaty with Iran

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the signing and ratification of an extradition treaty with Iran.

The treaty would provide a legal framework for seeking extradition of terrorists, economic offenders and other criminals from and to Iran, an official spokesperson said.

The Cabinet also gave its nod for signing an agreement with Iran on “Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.”

Purchase of EVMs

With Lok Sabha polls scheduled for early next year and Assembly elections in several States round the corner, the Cabinet cleared an Election Commission proposal of buying 1.8 lakh electronic voting machines.

The Cabinet approved a proposal for making a provision of Rs. 190 crore for the purchase, Union Minister and Cabinet spokesman Priyaranjan Dasmunsi told journalists.

The Cabinet gave the green signal to move amendments to the Collection of Statistics Bill to make it more effective.

FM radio policy

In an attempt at giving some elbow room to companies running FM radio stations, the Cabinet allowed changes in the share-holding pattern, including the creation of a subsidiary company, amalgamation of companies of the same group and de-merger within the first five years of operationalisation.

Earlier, no permission holder — with or without foreign investment — was allowed to change the ownership pattern of the company through transfer of shares of the majority shareholders/promoters in the first five years of the operationalisation of the radio station.

As per the revised policy — put up for Cabinet approval by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry — the share-holding pattern can be changed within this period, provided the majority shareholders/promoters continue to remain so and together hold at least 51 per cent of the total shares.

Also, new corporate entities will have to maintain their Foreign Direct Investment component within the prescribed limit — presently 20 per cent — and conform to the terms and conditions of the tender document and the Grant of Permission Agreement.

A new company will have to sign a fresh agreement with the government for the remaining period of the licence of the original company.

NMDFC restructuring

The Cabinet also approved a proposal to restructure the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) by converting it into a non-deposit taking Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC).

With this, the NMDFC can be a holding company for the Minority Partnership and National Wakf Development Agency, both of which will also be registered as NBFCs.

No change in air fare for Haj pilgrims

The Centre decided not to increase the airfare of Haj passengers, allaying fears that the burden of increased aviation fuel cost will be passed on to the pilgrims also.

“The fare to be charged from the pilgrims for Haj 2008 will continue to be Rs.12,000 a pilgrim. There will be no increase,” Mr. Dasmunsi said here.

Medical officers

The government has also decided to appoint retired officials to the post of General Duty Medical Officers on contract basis to fill the vacancies in hospitals.

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