National Events in May 2000
May 1:
The Supreme Court refers to a Constitution Bench whether MPs can be prosecuted for voting along a particular line on bribery.
May 2:
India, Uzbekistan sign an extradition treaty and a legal assistance pact on criminal matters.
May 3:
The Government modifies the guidelines for Nidhi Companies by liberalising the deposit mobilisation and branch network norms.
May 5:
The Supreme Court permits the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalitha (petitioner) to have herself and the others examined as ``defence witnesses'' in connection with the trial of the `Colour TV scam case.'
May 6:
A lifetime of my service to cricket ``has been finished by an irresponsible allegation of match-fixing by third parties,'' says the national coach, Kapil Dev.
May 7:
Ranjit Singh Gill, one of the prime accused in the murder of Lalit Maken and his wife Geetanjali, daughter of the late President, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma on July 31, 1985 extradited to Delhi from the U.S. to stand trial in the case.
May 8:
India not for Eelam and it favours a solution to the crisis in the island country ``within the framework of Sri Lanka's unity and integrity,'' says the Prime Minister, Mr. A. B. Vajpayee at an all- party meeting in New Delhi.
May 9:
The Supreme Court directs the AIADMK leader, Ms. Jayalalitha to stand trial in the Rs. 6.5 crore coal import scam case and sets aside the orders of a Chennai Special Court and the Madras High Court discharging her from the case.
May 11:
The Indian population touches the 1 billion mark.
May 12:
The EU Governments allow India to export an extra 3,500 tonnes of textile products to the 15-nation bloc this year.
May 13:
Ms. Laura Dutta (21), who said beauty pageants give women a platform to ``voice our choices and opinions''is named Miss Universe 2000 in the Cyprus capital, Nicosia.
The Union Government gives its approval for the creation of the three new States of Jharkhand, Uttaranchal and Chhattisgarh to be carved out of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
May 14:
The Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani announces extension of the ban on the LTTE by two more years.
Forty persons lose their life after an Amritsar-bound Punjab Roadways bus falls into the Sirhind Canal near Ropar.
May 15:
The Jammu and Kashmir Minister of State for Power, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Bhat dies in a powerful IED explosion near Mandipore in Anantnag.
The U.S. cancels a patent on the use of turmeric in healing wounds after India challenges the patent.
May 16:
The ESIC decides to increase the amount of family pension to the dependents of deceased workers and the permanent disablement allowance for physically disabled workers.
Parliament approves two separate Constitution Amendment Bills seeking to nullify the Supreme Court judgment fixing 50 per cent ceiling in filling up backlog of vacancies of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and to devolve 29 per cent central taxes to states.
May 17:
Parliament approves the Information Technology Bill giving legal sanction to e-commerce and seeking to curb cyber crime with the Rajya Sabha passing it through a voice vote.
The Union Cabinet clears a proposal for setting up a new appellate tribunal for foreign exchange following the repeal of the FERA and the enactment of the FEMA in its place.
May 24:
The Supreme Court rejects the proposal for setting up benches outside Delhi.
May 26:
In a significant development, the Government decides to allow disinvestment up to 60 per cent equity of Air India.
May 27:
In a mini Cabinet reshuffle, Mr. Nitish Kumar gets back his Agriculture portfolio, while Mr. Dilip Ray resigns as Minister of State for Steel.
May 29:
The Communications Minister, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan announces a bonanza of free telephone connections to the entire 3.2 lakh strong, non- gazetted workforce in the Telecom Department.
The extradition treaty with the UAE comes into force with the exchange of the instrument of ratification at a ceremony in Dubai.
May 30:
A Special Court in Chennai, acquits the former Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalitha, her close associate, Ms. Sasikala, and another accused, Mr. S. R. Bhaskaran in the ``Rs.10.16 crore colour TV scam''.