National Events in February 2001
Feb. 1:
The Union Cabinet decides to impose 2 per cent surcharge on Income Tax and corporate tax for the current financial year.
The Prime Minister moots a ``strategy of partnership'' between the public and private sectors, after inaugurating the nation's first corporatised port at Ennore, near Chennai.
The Cabinet Committee on Disinvestment decides to cut the Government's share in the VSNL from 52.92 per cent to 26 per cent.
Feb. 5:
The Paattali Makkal Katchi quits the Government and the NDA.
Israel sells Barak-1 sea-to-sea missiles to India in a $ 270 million deal.
Feb. 6:
The Paattali Makkal Katchi, throws in its lot with the AIADMK front.
The Union Cabinet decides to curb smoking in public places and gives its nod to ban advertisements of all tobacco products.
Feb. 7:
The Prime Minister constitutes a 10-member National Committee on Disaster Management with himself at its head.
The Eradi Committee on taxation of insurance companies submits report.
Feb 9:
The LCA makes its maiden public flight at the Aero India 2001 international airshow in Bangalore.
The world's biggest Census of India 2001, gets under way.
Feb. 10:
The seven-member Expert Committee on the Mullaiperiyar dam recommends raising the storage level to 142 feet from the current 136 feet.
The Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council chairman, Mr. Subhas Ghising is shot in the head by gunmen who ambush his motorcade at Pankhabari near Kurseong in West Bengal.
India and Russia, sign an historic accord on massive Indian investment in the Sakhalin-1 offshore project in the Russian Far East.
Feb. 11:
The Manipur Chief Minister, Mr. W. Nipamacha Singh, the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. L. Chandramani and five other Ministers are expelled from the Manipur State Congress Party for six years for ``anti-party activities''.
Feb. 12:
The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court sets aside the special CBI court's Sept. 9, 1997 order framing charges in the Babri Masjid demolition case against Union Ministers, Mr. L.K. Advani, Dr. M.M. Joshi, Ms. Uma Bharati and five others.
Feb. 13:
The Manipur Chief Minister, Mr. Wahengbam Nipamacha Singh, resigns and the leader of the United Democratic Alliance, Mr. Radhabinod Koijam, stakes claim to form the next government.
The Union Cabinet approves a Rs. 700-crore reconstruction package to relocate the worst-hit Gujarat villages.
Feb. 14:
India and Russia sign an air safety pact.
Feb. 15:
India and Russia, sign a $ 650 million deal for purchase of 310 T-90 main battle tanks, to enhance fire power in desert.
In a major breakthrough, STF and TN police personnel nab Tamil National Liberation Army chief and Veerappan associate, S. Maran, in the Velliangiri Hills on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border.
Mr. Radhabinod Koijam of the Samata Party, is sworn in Manipur Chief Minister.
Feb. 16:
The Supreme Court gives the go-ahead for the trial of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalitha, industrialist Mr. A.C. Muthiah and others in the `Rs. 28.29 crore loss SPIC disinvestment case'.
The CBI begins probe into the death of the biscuit tycoon, Rajan Pillai in a hospital, while in police custody in 1995.
Feb. 17:
The Special Court for CBI cases, New Delhi, frames charges against Harshad Mehta, his brother and two others in the securities scam case of 1991.
Feb 18:
A Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court stays the CAT order quashing the appointment of Mr.R.K. Raghavan as CBI Director.
Feb. 20:
The Centre bans horse whipping.
Feb. 21:
The Government decides to sell majority equity in BALCO to Mumbai-based Sterlite Industries, for Rs. 551 crores.
Feb. 22:
Do not mess with peace, the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee warns jehadis, while announcing extension of J&K ceasefire for the third time, till May end.
Feb. 23:
The Government puts on hold the BALCO-Sterlite deal.
Mr. Justice D.P. Wadhwa is appointed President of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal forum.
Feb. 24:
The former West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr. Jyoti Basu, (87) bows out after attending the last session of the current Assembly ending his 55-year career in electoral politics.
Feb. 27:
India, Morocco, sign Delhi Declaration, besides agreements on cultural exchanges, veterinary sanitation and plant protection, marking the visit of King Mohammad VI.
Feb. 28:
India, Bangladesh decide to start Agartala-Dhaka, direct bus service.