Bill to prevent attacks on journalists moved in House

Almost two months after PCI chairman Justice Markandey Katju issued and later withdrew a showcause notice against Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan over attacks on journalists,a private member bill was moved on the state legislature seeking to prevent violence against mediapersons.

Almost two months after PCI chairman Justice Markandey Katju issued and later withdrew a showcause notice against Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan over attacks on journalists,a private member bill was moved on the state legislature seeking to prevent violence against mediapersons.

BJP MLA Suresh Halvankars bill has the stated objective of protecting the fourth pillar of the democratic system and proposes to punish offenders with imprisonment up to three years and fines up to Rs 50,000. It also proposes to establish an authority of experts to hear grievances of those affected by negligence by the media.

Govt to seek Visa info online

The Maharashtra government will inform the Central government to make Visa details available online to immigration officers to improve scrutiny at airports.

Replying to a question related to fake passports and visa rackets,Minister of State for Home Satej Patil said passport details are checked by immigration officers online but Visa is checked with magnifying glass and scrutinised using ultraviolet rays and other techniques.

We will definitely request the Central government to make Visa details available to immigration officers at airports, said Patil.

State move to ban Ketamine

Maharashtra government will recommend the Central government to ban Ketamine,which is for the medicinal purposes,but is also used illegally as a narcotic substance. Minister of State for Food and Drug Administration Satej Patil said Ketamine is used as a general an aesthetic but is misused as an intoxicant.

Partial rollback of Beedi VAT

The state government on Friday announced partial rollback in VAT on beedis. The proposed 5 per cent purchase tax proposed on cotton has also been withdrawn. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said representations had been received from various quarters about the proposal to levy a 12.5 per cent tax on beedi. The tax would now be 5 per cent. Tax on non-manufactured tobacco,proposed to be levied at 20 per cent,is to be reduced to 12.5 per cent.

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