| FM'S REPLY TO DABATE ON GENERAL BUDGET IN RAJYA SABHA
Following is the text of the speech of the Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram in reply to the debate on General Budget 2007-08 in Rajya Sabha today: - "Mr. Chairman Sir, I am grateful to the Honourable Members belonging to different political parties who have participated in the debate on the Budget for 2007-08. I have listened to most of the interventions and I have also studied the notes made on the other interventions. It seems to me that most Members have mixed views: while they are genuinely happy about the impressive growth of the economy, they are legitimately concerned about some aspects of the growth which affect sections of the people. In fact, I share these sentiments and I have given expression to them in the Budget speech. There is no doubt that we have recorded an unprecedented rate of growth, but the question is, is the growth inclusive? There is no doubt that there is an investment boom in the country, but the question is, is the investment across all sectors, especially agriculture? There is no doubt that more jobs have been created, but the question is, are there jobs available for all? In the course of my reply, I shall make an attempt to answer these questions.
Life Insurance Becoming A Better Bargain
Think about college tuition, health care and your electric bill, and it's easy to assume that prices only move in two directions: up and way up.
But you might not have noticed that one important financial product is significantly cheaper these days: term life insurance. Industry experts estimate that term premiums have fallen 40 percent or more in the past decade alone.
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COBRA Election is a Shortcut to Medical Bankruptcy
Nashville, TN (PRWEB) March 18, 2007 -- Employees leaving an employer are often times presented with an option to continue their health benefits for 18 months on the average. The amount of premium for this extension is the billed amount to the employer plus 2% for the trouble or bother of having to deal with an ex-employee. Why does an employer do this?...It is federal law that if the employer has 20 or more employees in the group, the employer HAS to offer this extension. Now, why would an employee accept this temporary extension? If the employee was in tune with the pitfalls of this temporary extension to medical bankruptcy, the employee would decline the extension and get their OWN personal insurance policy through a reputable insurance company. Folks, you do not work there any more first of all.
Laid off? Resist panic, get right back into labor pool
So many people are struggling financially, while others are worried about their financial futures. These are actual people with the problems they've faced or the questions they've asked. Shanika -- Single mother, receives child support. Homeowner. College degree. .
Lawmakers Seek Options As Children's Health Insurance Plan Set to ...
(CNSNews.com) - Enacted 10 years ago, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which targets low income families who do not qualify for Medicaid, is set to expire this year, and lawmakers are exploring ways to help insure those still not covered.
"We can say without equivocation that [with SCHIP] we have made a contribution to ensuring that children have better coverage and more access to healthcare than they had before," former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) said at the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.
Daschle noted that "21.6 million children today are provided coverage through either the Medicaid program or the SCHIP program. We find that there [are] approximately 43 million children who are covered by the insurance provided through family employers.
Goodbody Economic Consultants report says Irish health insurance ...
Goodbody Economic Consultants today published a report entitled, Improving the Regulation of Health Insurance, which provides a comprehensive review of current issues in the private health insurance market and also outlines a series of recommendations for corrective action which the consultants recommend are implemented with immediate effect. The report, commissioned by VIVAS Health, has been produced in order to contribute solutions to the range of factors which are creating the dysfunctional private health insurance market that currently exists in Ireland. The Goodbody report finds that the market is extremely uncompetitive primarily as a result of VHIs dominance. It is calling for the suspension of risk equalization payments until the VHI no longer has a position of dominace and is subject to the same regulation as its competitors.
Staff driving co car may not get accident claim
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that unless there is a specific contract, an insurance company is not under an obligation to pay compensation to a person or an employee who dies in a road accident while driving the vehicle of his employer. Such a liability would also arise only if the claim was made under Section 163A of the Act and not under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), said a Bench of Justices CK Thakker and PK Balasubramanyan while upholding an appeal filed by Oriental Insurance Company. The bench passed the ruling on an appeal filed by the insurance company challenging an Uttarakhand High Court order which had directed the insurer to pay compensation to the claimants of an employee who died while driving the car of his employer. According to the insurance company, deceased Chandra Variyal, regional manager of a company, was driving the car of his employer when he died in a road accident.
Rep Chambers: Statehouse Report
Down in the Gold Dome, we are into our long days of hot tempered debate and parliamentary shenanigans on the floor of the House of Representatives. The House and Senate leadership are working on a 2007 supplemental budget compromise as House Appropriations finishes the 2008 fiscal year spending bill. Serving as the sub-committee secretary for Public Safety Appropriations, I have the responsibility of working with the budgets for the the Department of Public Safety, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Judicial branch, Juvenile Justice, and Corrections. After discovering some "under-reported reserve funds" in one agency, our sub-committee made a few changes to the original budget recommendations. We are using $1.5 million for courthouse security equipment (some will be used to purchase stun belts for prisoners).
Police Search For Stolen Artwork
There is a lead in the investigation into stolen artwork in Tulsa. A thief made away with a statue created by a renowned Native American artist. It was taken from a Tulsa gallery. When a thief took the $11,000 statue from Joseph Gierek Fine Art in January, it was the first time in 25 years that Gierek had anything stolen. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports investigators now have a lead in the case. "Certainly hopeful that something comes of it and we get it back," said Gierek. After our first report on the theft, a tipster contacted Gierek saying she had seen the stolen bronze on Craig's List, an online classifieds site. "She says she couldn't remember anything at all about who the artist was or what they were asking for it, but she says there is no question that when she saw the image on the report, that was definitely the bronze she had seen," said Gierek.
QNB announces financial results for first quarter of 2007
This agreement has been signed at a time when the importance of owning a home gains more significance within a rapid growing economy. As further evidence to its strategic partnership in the economic ventures emerging in the country, QNB signed a share allocation agreement with Al-Meera Hypermarket Chain, another significant initiative towards supporting the thriving local economy. Moreover, the bank managed the payment process of the remaining amounts of the shares of Qatar Gas Transport Limited (NAKILAT) and offered exceptional financing benefits to shareholders, regardless of whether they are QNB customers or not, through conventional and Islamic banking services. Keeping up its record in retail services, QNB introduced into the market a host of new products. QNB launched a promotion campaign for its Qatar Airways Co-branded MasterCard Credit Card that enables new applicants for the card to automatically enter in the monthly draws where there are a total of 1 Million Q-Miles to be won.
Spartans Open Big Ten Season This Weekend at Indiana
The Michigan State baseball team opens up Big Ten play this weekend (March 30-April 1) with a four-game series at Indiana. The Spartans (8-8) are riding a two-game winning streak after topping Bowling Green, 5-3, on Wednesday at Steller Field on the BGSU campus. Indiana (10-8) has a streak of its own, entering the weekend series with six straight wins. MSU took three of four games from Indiana last season at Oldsmobile Park. Live stats of all four games will be available via Gametracker at www.msuspartans.com. Senior right-hander Craig Brookes, who started Opening Day Feb. 23 and the home opener for the Spartans March 24, will also get the call for the Big Ten opener. Brookes brings a perfect 2-0 record into Friday's contest, and he leads the Big Ten with a 1.01 ERA. He also ranks among the league leaders in earned runs allowed (first with three), opposing batting average (second at .183) and strikeouts (fourth with 26).
Medical professionals concerned with governor's proposed Medicaid ...
Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed $59.1 billion budget for 2007-2008 makes significant changes to Medicaid health care provider reimbursement. And local health care providers are concerned. More than 1.8 million Pennsylvanians receive Medicaid. Members of the House Committee on Appropriations and its Subcommittee on Health and Human Services are holding hearings throughout the state to hear from providers who will be affected if the changes pass the General Assembly. Subcommittee chairwoman, state Rep. Kathy Manderino, as well as state Rep. Dave Reed, of Indiana County, and state Rep. Tim Mahoney, of Fayette County, were in Fayette County Tuesday to take testimony. .
Health Merger Gets Mixed Reviews
Mar. 31--The proposed merger of Highmark Inc. and Independence Blue Cross is expected to create the nation's third-largest health insurer, save millions in administrative costs and create a company with real clout to negotiate drug prices. But for all those changes, officials at Erie's two largest hospitals don't expect most people will notice much of a difference. "I think for our area here in western Pennsylvania, I think it's going to be relatively seamless. I don't think we're going to notice much of anything," said Pete Sitter, senior vice president of marketing for Saint Vincent Health Center. Sitter, a former executive at Highmark in Erie, said he thinks there's also a possible benefit for employers and the insured if lower overhead costs enable the merged company to cut administrative costs.
Making a Difference: McLain dedicates life to children and animals
WEST FRANKFORT - Gail McLain strives to make a difference - one child and one animal at a time.Involved with The Night's Shield wing of the Roan Center, a shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence, McLain said her goal is to break the cycle of violence and abuse.“I am only one of many people who are involved in this effort," McLain said. “We will be working diligently to ensure the safety of those who enter our doors. We want to change the lives of children, even if it is only one child at a time. .
Continental Warranty Provides Valuable Spring Break Tips for ...
National extended car warranty provider, Continental Warranty, warns against making long car trips for spring break without an extended car warranty, offers tips for choosing the right extended car warranty. Lynnwood, WA (PRWEB) April 10, 2007 -- Car owners planning a road trip for spring break this year should look into getting an extended car warranty first, says Continental Warranty, the leading provider of extended car warranties in the nation. There is almost nothing worse than having a car break down while on vacation - except having a car break down while on vacation without a car warranty. An extended car warranty while on spring break can provide roadside assistance in unknown areas, cover expenses (so vacation money isn't all spent on car repairs) and prevent a spring break vacation from being interrupted as much as possible.
Bail bond industry pressured
Connecticut's bail-bond industry could see major reforms this year as lawmakers attempt to better regulate what has become a wide-open business, where fierce competition has actually escalated the amount defendants pay to get out of jail. The multimillion-dollar industry, in which defendants pay a small percentage of the actual amount of a court bond, is marred by agents confronting and undercutting each other in state courthouses. On any weekday morning, bail-bond agents stand around the lobby of the Golden Hill Street courthouse in Bridgeport, pressing their business cards on families of defendants as they leave arraignment courtrooms. Reformers within the industry want to ban bond agents from soliciting on any state property, including courthouses and police headquarters.
Allstate Insurance Appoints Sari Macrie As VP, Corporate Relations ...
(RTTNews) - Allstate Insurance (ALL | charts | news | PowerRating) said it has appointed Sari Macrie as vice president of corporate relations. In this role, Macrie will oversee internal and external strategic communications for the enterprise. Macrie is replacing Peter Debreceny, who is retiring from Allstate after nine years with the company and more than 35 years in the public relations field. Macrie joins Allstate with more than 20 years of financial and strategic communications experience both as a corporate officer and a consultant. Macrie has been the senior vice president of Corporate Communications at Cardinal Health and the vice president of Investor Relations at Ameritech. Copyright(c) 2007 RealTimeTraders.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved .
WMHS, YMCA will host health fairs on Saturday
CUMBERLAND - The Western Maryland Health System will host its Community Health Fair Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Braddock Hospital, Seton Drive. Also helping to coordinate the health fair are the Allegany County Health Department and the Riverside YMCA, both of which will have representatives on hand with information about their services. A number of other not-for-profit healthcare providers will also have displays about their services.The Cumberland YMCA's 16th annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day will follow from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Riverside YMCA, 601 Kelly Road.Services availabe at the WMHS fair include a free cholesterol screening from 9 to 11 a.m. and a free blood sugar screening from 8 to 11 a.m. Participants also can choose a comprehensive metabolic panel from 8 to 9 a.m. for a fee. Fasting is required for these screenings, which are provided by the WMHS Laboratory.
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