Rajiv Shukla, Anjali Tendulkar, Hamid Ansari and Sachin Tendulkar

Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's new role as a Rajya Sabha member not only brings responsibilities, but many a perks the members of the Upper House are entitled to.

As an elite parliamentarian, Tendulkar is entitled to a monthly salary of Rs.50,000 with free accommodation in the form of a flat during the period he holds office. He can also ask for a bungalow in the national capital, but he would have to pay the licence fee.

The Master Blaster is also eligible for a liberal allowance for official travel by rail, air or road. Apart from official travel, 34 single air journeys can be availed in a year for personal use, alone or with spouse.

As an MP, the legendary can also enjoy free telephone facilities with the provision for up to three telephone connections for use with 50,000 free calls in a year. He would also be entitled to heavy rebate on his water and electricity bills.

Tendulkar would also qualify for pension benefits after he serves his period in office, as there is a pension of Rs.20,000 per month for former parliamentarians

20 senior doctors suspended in UP health scam

The Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday suspended 20 senior health officials after their names cropped up in an ongoing CBI probe into embezzlement of over Rs.10,000 crore of the National Rural Health Mission fund. "The government has suspended 20 doctors, including those having additional chief medical officer's rank, whose names were given by the CBI during inquiry into NRHM scam," Health Minister Ahmad Hasan said.
Hasan said director general of health has also been asked to suspend two clerical grade employees.
"Former CMO of Lucknow, A K Shukla, and a doctor have already been suspended," Hasan said.
He said that following CBI report the government acted swiftly and took stern action.
The government is also expected to give prosecution sanction against doctors, whose names figured in the inquiry, next week.

Maria Sharapova completes career

Grand Slam with French Open win

Maria Sharapova won the French Open on Saturday, defeating Sara Errani 6-3, 6-2 in the final to complete the career Grand Slam.

Second-seeded Sharapova, who was guaranteed of moving to No. 1 in the world regardless of the result, jumped to a quick 4-0 lead against the 21st-seeded Errani, who was playing in her first Grand Slam final.
Errani battled back on a blustery day at Roland Garros, but Sharapova's bigger serve and bigger groundstrokes eventually wore down the Italian, who at 5-foot-4{ stands 9{ inches shorter than her Russian opponent.
Sharapova added this year's French Open title to championships at Wimbledon in 2004, the U.S. Open in 2006 and the Australian Open in 2008 to become only the 10th woman to win all four major tournaments.

I am not keen on staying in any govt

bungalow: Tendulkar

Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has refused to accept the government bungalow he is entitled to as Rajya Sabha member, saying such a stay would be a waste of taxpayer's money.
"I am not keen on staying in any govt bungalow when I will be in Delhi for only a few days. I feel this would be a waste of tax payers money and it would be better if the bungalow is allotted to someone else who needs the bungalow more than me," he told a news channel.
Tendulkar, who took oath as MP on Monday, said he would prefer to stay in a hotel in Delhi every time he is in Delhi.
"For me the honour of being nominated as a Rajya Sabha MP matters much more than the perks and privileges like being given a govt bungalow.
"Not taking a government bungalow would not affect my responsibilities as Rajya Sabha MP. I do hope to attend few days of parliament in every session," the channel quoted him as saying in a release before leaving for London.
Ever since his nomination, there have been questions over whether he would be able to devote time for Parliament over his cricketing commitments.

A. Raja allowed to go Tamil Nadu

A Central Bureau of Investigation (C A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court today allowed former telecom minister A. Raja to visit Tamil Nadu, his home state.
Special CBI Judge O.P. Saini gave the permission for a June 8-30 trip. The order came as the order will remain closed from June 9 to 30.
Earlier, while giving bail to Raja May 15, the court had said that Raja cannot visit Tamil Nadu without the court's permission.
The court has directed Raja not to tamper with evidence or influence witness when he goes to Tamil Nadu.
The CBI has opposed Raja's plea to visit Tamil Nadu.
Raja resigned as minister Nov 14, 2010 in the wake of a Comptroller and Auditor General report that his 2008 decision to allocate 2G spectrum on a first-come-first-served basis had caused the exchequer a presumptive loss of Rs.1.76 lakh crore. The CBI arrested him Feb 2, 2011BI) special court today allowed former telecom minister A. Raja to visit Tamil Nadu, his home state.
Special CBI Judge O.P. Saini gave the permission for a June 8-30 trip. The order came as the order will remain closed from June 9 to 30.
Earlier, while giving bail to Raja May 15, the court had said that Raja cannot visit Tamil Nadu without the court's permission.
The court has directed Raja not to tamper with evidence or influence witness when he goes to Tamil Nadu.
The CBI has opposed Raja's plea to visit Tamil Nadu.
Raja resigned as minister Nov 14, 2010 in the wake of a Comptroller and Auditor General report that his 2008 decision to allocate 2G spectrum on a first-come-first-served basis had caused the exchequer a presumptive loss of Rs.1.76 lakh crore. The CBI arrested him Feb 2, 2011

Chennai watches transit of Venus

The passage of planet Venus across the face of Sun is once in a life time celestial event and many viewed it here, an official said today.
"Over 5,000 people might have come and gone after seeing the celestial event here since morning. We made arrangements for the people to view the event thorough different telescopes," S. Soundarajaperumal, joint director, Birla Planetarium said.
Special arrangements were made for the people to watch the transit of Venus as watching it with naked eyes is injurious.
"While the school students enjoyed watching the event, Madras University students are doing their research," Soundarajaperumal said.
People were also keen in viewing the visible sun spots.
The next Venus transit is expected to happen after 117 years