In the Rajya Sabha, the upper house, MPs also demanded strict action against rapists.

BBC: Delhi bus gang rape: Uproar in Indian parliament

The cabinet has accepted 14 of the 16 amendments suggested by the Rajya Sabha committee, the authorities said late Thursday.

BBC: Anti-corruption protest in India

Soumitra Sen was found guilty by the Rajya Sabha of "misappropriating" large sums of public money while a judge at the Calcutta High Court.

BBC: India corruption: Anna Hazare accepts release offer

In the Rajya Sabha (the upper house), Chairman Hamid Ansari agreed to hold a discussion on FDI in retail under Rule 168 which entails voting.

BBC: India parliament to hold economic reforms vote

India's cabinet has approved some key changes to the controversial anti-corruption Lokpal bill suggested by a committee of MPs from the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament.

BBC: Anti-corruption protest in India

The decision by India's government to allow 51% foreign direct investment (FDI) was approved by the Lok Sabha (lower house) on 5 December and the Rajya Sabha (upper house) on 7 December.

BBC: India orders probe into Walmart lobbying

Some 16, 000 candidates will contest the elections to Parliament's lower house, the Lok Sabha. (The members of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house, are indirectly elected by state assemblies or appointed by the president.) In addition, about 17, 000 candidates will simultaneously contest the elections to the six state legislatures.

CNN: IRST, PRIME MINISTER P.V.