The Rajya Sabha on Friday post facto approved by voice vote the merger of State Bank of Saurashtra (SBS) with State Bank of India (SBI) amid opposition from Left parties which said this was a step towards privatisation of the state-owned banking sector.
Rubber (Amendment) Bill, 2009
The House also approved the Rubber (Amendment) Bill, 2009, tabled by Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma. The Bill calls for setting up a Rubber Development Fund to encourage output of the product and expand the Rubber Board. It also seeks to introduce a system for collection of rubber cess on the basis of self-assessment.
Keywords: State Bank of Saurashtra, State Bank of India, SBI, merger, Rajya Sabha, Left parties
