The EC (Election Commission) has settled to relax the Model Code of Conduct, on an experimental basis, by permitting partial implementation of developmental schemes in those districts where by-polls will be held on June 12, 2012. 

Why this decision was taken by EC?

The EC order came after several states, where by-elections are being held, gave representations stating that the enforcement of model code affects the developmental works in the entire district, while only a part of the district may be involved in the election process.

NOT applicable to the entire districts: Thus, the EC has now decided on an experimental basis that the model code shall now be applicable only in respect of areas falling in the Assembly constituencies / Parliamentary constituency going for bye-election and not to the entire districts in which such constituency is situated.

Applicable to the entire districts: The EC yet, held that all other existing instructions on Model Code of Conduct on matters like tours of ministers, vehicles, advertisements, use of government guest houses, and all persisting Commission’s instructions including transfers of officers etc. shall persist to remain applicable to the whole districts in which the constituency having the bye-election is located.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh inaugurates the “Guru Gobind Singh Refinery” at Bathinda in Punjab.

• Guru Gobind Singh Refinery (GGSR) is a refinery owned by Hindustan Mittal Energy Limited (HMEL) a joint venture between HPCL and Mittal Energy Limited, a company owned by L N Mittal. It is located in village Phulokheri, Bhatinda, Punjab, India.

The Gujarat Government has decided to stop procuring double-cross hybrid maize seed made by seed major Monsanto, which were distributed among the farmers in the tribal areas of the state under the tribal a development scheme. The seeds sold under the brand name 'prabal' were being distributed to farmers in the tribal regions under the Sunshine Project, which falls under the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yogna, since 2008. It is estimated that the seeds were distributed among half a million farmers by the Tribal Development Department.

It has been decided not to procure Monsanto seeds which were distributed among the farmers of tribal area. Instead, the farmers would be asked to buy government approved seeds of their own choice for which the government would provide financial support.

Why this move was taken?

This has been done to break the monopoly of Monsanto Company in Gujarat.

The state government's decision follows several representations by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) and some MLAs from the tribal areas. In last session of state assembly in March, opposition had demanded ban on maize seeds of Monsanto, claiming that there were ill-effects of Monsanto’s maize seeds which were being distributed by the state government in tribal areas.

The government has nominated Sachin Tendulkar to the Rajya Sabha, along with actress Rekha and industrialist Anu Aga. The nomination of the 3 eminent personalities was approved by President Pratibha Patil. Article 80 of the Constitution provides for nomination of persons having special knowledge or practical experience in matters such as literature, science, art and social service.

Under Article 80 of the Constitution that allows the President to nominate 12 members to the 250-member Upper House.

The names of Tendulkar, who has brought many a laurel to the country through his exploits in the game; Rekha, known for her brilliant and emotional portrayals in Hindi cinema in the 80s; and industrialist and social worker Aga were sent by the Prime Minister to the home ministry yesterday for approval by the president.

Sachin Tendulkar: He completed the historic achievement of scoring 100 international centuries in March 2012. He would be the first active sportsman and a cricketer to be nominated to Rajya Sabha. Tendulkar is the first sports personality to be nominated to Rajya Sabha while there have been several film personalities who have been nominated in the past.

Rekha: The 57-year-old Rekha was one of the top heroines of the 80s in Hindi films and and had won several national awards in her acting career.

Anu Aga: The 70-year-old Aga, former chairperson of Thermax Industries and a member of the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council, is a social worker who had figured among the richest Indians in a list by Forbes.

Interest rate on Employees' Provident Fund will be increased from 8.25% to 8.6% in the current fiscal. The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) had brought down the rate of interest to 8.25% for 2011-12 from 9.5% provided in 2010-11.
The retirement fund body EPFO has parked in excess of Rs 55,000 Crore in the Special Deposit Schemes, aimed at providing better returns to non-government provident funds and other such funds.