New norms to hold pharma MDs and CEOs responsible for offering freebies to doctors

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

The Lokpal Bill continues to enjoy centre stage in the Press. The Hindu reports - "Lokpal Bill may be tabled in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, cabinet to take a call on contentious issues after Manmohan Singh returns from Russia". The Asian Age writes "Anna jail bharo from January 1, may defer fast if bill is tabled.

The RBI stepping in to curb volatility in the rupee also finds prominence in the Press. The Economic Times writes - the RBI has unleashed a series of measures that will end speculation, in a move to arrest its slide.

The Asian Age has a smart picture of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along side a Russian guard of Honour at the Moscow Airport. The Hindustan Times reports that 'India is committed to providing Russia an alternative site for the next generation of Nuclear Power Reactors, after the local resistance at Koodankulam.

Food inflation fell to a near 4-year low of 4.35 per cent due to a fall in the prices of vegetables, reports the Asian Age. An official in the Finance Ministry said, inflation was winding down and it would fall below 3% in a month.

"New norms to hold pharma MDs and CEOs responsible for offering freebies to doctors" headlines the Financial Express. The Government is in process of formulating ethical marketing guidelines where-in drug firms will be barred from offering free travel tickets, hotel stays, gifts and hospitality to doctors who advocate their products.

And finally, the Times of India writes "Bharat Ratna eligibility bracket widened". The nation's highest civilian award will now be given in recognition of exceptional service or performance of the highest order - "In any field of human endeavor". With this the decks for cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and Hockey legend Dhyan Chand and others to get this prestigious award, will stand cleared.