APRIL 13, 1984, FORTY YEARS AGO

TECH REFORMS

THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED further liberalisation in the import of technology and several new schemes including one to promote the export of computer software in its import-export policy for 1984-85. Commerce Minister V P Singh, who announced the government’s policy, said new priority areas had been identified for the import of technology and several capital goods had been placed under Open General Licence.

MOVE TO CURB POWER

A MOVE IS afoot to bring forth constitutional amendments to take away the rights of the judicialcourtstointerveneinmattersconnected with the decisions of Parliament, state assemblies and councils. The issue is understood to have been discussed in detail at a meeting of the opposition leaders convened by the Speaker, Balram Jakhar, in Parliament House.

SRI LANKA BLOCKADE

SEVERAL OPPOSITION AND ruling party members expressed concern in the Lok Sabha over the decision of the Sri Lankan authorities to put up a naval blockade and demanded a statement from the government. While Era Anbarasu (Congress-i) said that the Sri Lankan Navy had encroached on Indian territorial waters, Satyasadan Chakraborty (CPM), urged the government to make a statement in the House explaining its stand.

PLANE MISBEHAVIOUR

THE “ADIK EPISODE” rocked the Maharashtra Assembly when K N Deshmukh (PWP) demanded the resignation of the Vasantrao Patil ministry. Four notices for adjournment motion were moved in the Assembly by the Opposition on Deputy Chief Minister Ramrao Adik’s alleged misbehaviour with air hostesses,hotelmaidsandataxidriveronboardan Air India plane and in Frankfurt.