New Delhi, Sept 18 : Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said that declaration of bankruptcy by Lehman Brothers of the US was not a cause of concern for public sector banks as they have no exposure in US-based financial institutions.

Taking to mediapersons here, Chidambaram said that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) have assured that Public sector banks have no exposure to Lehmen Brothers which applied for bankruptcy in the United States.

New Delhi, Sep 10 : The armed forces have now taken the battle over the Sixth Pay Commission right to Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Prithviraj Chavan, seeking their direct intervention in restoring their parity with their civilian and paramilitary counterparts.

The armed forces wanted the cabinet, rather than the anomalies committee of the Finance Ministry, to consider the matter. The cabinet following the assurance of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, is likely to take up the core issues of the armed forces at its meeting on Thursday.

New Delhi, Aug.

London, Aug 12 : The second meeting of the ministerial-level India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue was held in London.

Finance Minister P. Chidambarm led the Indian side, and Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling represented the UK on Monday.

The two sides discussed global macro economic issues in the context of the rising fuel, food and energy costs. The matter of climate change and enhancing cooperation in the filed of renewable sources of energy was also discussed.

Jaipur, July 23 : Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said that the government would try to speed up reforms that could see passage of bills, including the insurance legislation.

“We will try to take the reform process forward. The insurance bill is one of many bills which is pending,” he told reporters here.

He said the government, which won the trust vote in Parliament on Tuesday, would “reach out to other parties trying to build on the majority that we have demonstrated... and pass these bills.”

Jaipur, July 23 : Finance Minister P. Chidambaram today said that the speed of economic reforms in the country will increase after the Left Parties withdraw its support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government.

Talking to media persons here, Chidambaram said that even those parties who voted against the Government would be taken together in the process of economic reforms.

Commenting on the price rise issue, he said that the main reason of price rise is the hike in the prices of crude oil and effective steps are being taken in this direction.