19 December 2013 Current Affairs
Election Commission Recognized Aam Aadmi Party As State Party
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) got recognition as a recognised state party and reserved symbol of broom in Delhi from the Election Commission on the basis of its performance in the just-concluded Delhi Assembly polls. The recognition to AAP, which is in the process of deciding on whether to form its government in Delhi with Congress support, came last evening after it fulfilled the laid criterion in this regard. As per laid norms, a party may be recognised by the Election Commission if it wins at least three per cent seats, subject to a minimum of three seats and at least six per cent of total valid votes. Aam Aadmi Party won 28 seats in the recently concluded Assembly polls in Delhi.
Cabinet Approved Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN
The Cabinet on 19 December approved free trade agreement between India and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Agreement of Trade in Services and Agreement was signed under the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation (CECA) between and the ASEAN. The CECA between India and ASEAN was signed in 2003. The Cabinet approved the Agreement on Trade Goods under the CECA with the ASEAN in 2009.