NEW DELHI: In a series of decisions, the union council of ministers made it obligatory on every minister, including the Prime Minister, to furnish their assets, set up a cabinet committee to control prices and bring the Lok Pal (ombudsman) bill in the coming session of parliament, PTI reports An official spokesman said the ministers would be required to declare assets of their spouses and dependent children as well.
The first meeting of the national front council of ministers also decided to extend reservations for scheduled caste and scheduled tribes, which lapses in January, by 10 years.
The two-hour meeting, presided over by the Prime Minister set up a cabinet committee headed by finance minister Madhu Dandavate to take steps to bring down the Prices, especially those of sugar and edible oils.
It was also decided to convene an all-party meeting on Punjab situation as early as possible and set up a cabinet committee to study the problems in the border States of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesman said adding that the Sarkaria commission Report on Centre state relations would be processed expeditiously,
Two separate cabinet committees will be set up one to work out details of the amendment to the Official Secrets Act and another on introduction of the right to work in the Constitution. The act is proposed to be amended to incorporate the right to information in the constitution.
Other decisions were to set up a committee to spell out details to granting autonomy to Doordarshan and AIR. Reduce ostentatious security measures and less exposure of the Prime Minister on T.V.
A bill on the question of autonomy to AIR and Doordarshan may be introduced in the next session of Parliament, the spokesman said.
The Lok Pal (ombudsman) bill, which covers the office of the Prime Minister also, will be introduced in the parliament session scheduled to be held in the third week of the current month.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 15, 1989
