Parliament kicks out all 11 stung members

The Parliament on Friday expelled all 11 MPs involved in the cash-for-question scam. While the Lok Sabha sacked 10 of the tainted members, the Rajya Sabha terminated the lone member, Chhattrapal Singh Lodha, who was caught taking money for raising questions in the august House. The ruling UPA coalition made a forceful plea for expelling the 10 MPs caught in a cash-for-queries TV sting, but the BJP opposed this, saying that “proper procedures” must be followed.

Maintaining that “every decision cannot be determined in a court”, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who moved the expulsion motion as leader of the House, said: “Certain duties ought to be discharged, however painful.”

Meanwhile the Upper House, upholding the recommendation of the Ethics Committee, expelled BJP member C.S. Lodha from the House finding him guilty.

Few women on top in India 

Women constitute only 6 per cent of the total workforce in India, says a survey conducted by CII. The survey, which covers 149 companies, focused on medium and large companies. 

“The figures would be quite different if we considered services, particularly the IT and media sectors, but we don’t have any reliable data on this,” admitted Anu Aga, who headed the CII national committee on women’s empowerment. 

The study covered the following industrial segments: financial Services; construction; computer and telecom services; consulting research; food products & beverages; basic metals; fabricated metal products; motor vehicles and parts; chemicals and machinery and equipment.

Big B back in action

In what seemed to be a scene from Sarkar, Amitabh Bachchan walked out of Lilavati hospital amid heavy security, smiling as he waved to the posse of media and fans. The superstar left, dressed in a spotless white kurta-pyjama and sandals, and looking slightly wan after a 20-day stay.
Bachchan was preceded by daughter Shweta and friends Anil Ambani, Sahara chief Subroto Roy and politician Amar Singh and escorted by son Abhishek to the white Range Rover parked just outside. The 63-year-old superstar went straight to his Prateeksha home in Juhu to see his mother Teji Bachchan and will be staying there for a few days.

He will need to rest at home for about a week to 10 days before he can resume work, said Lilavati’s Dr Narendra Trivedi. Bachchan’s personal physician Dr Jayant Barve, who led the five-doctor team managing the superstar’s treatment, will now look after his post-hospital care alone.

Raj Thackeray quits Shiv Sena 

Rebel Shiv Sena leader Raj Thackeray on Sunday said he was quitting the party and would announce a new party soon.

Raj, who has raised a banner of revolt against the Sena leadership, made the announcement at a large gathering in Mumbai.

He had quit all party posts on November 27 over reported differences with his cousin Uddhav, the son of Shiv Sena founder leader Bal Thackeray.