15 Indian states with highest tax incomes

This is a list of the top 15 states of India by projected own tax revenues of their governments (excluding the shares from Union tax pool) assessed for the year 2010–15 by the Thirteenth Finance Commission. (Data Source: Finance Commission India)

1. Maharashtra          -     Rs. 451,777 Crore
2. Andhra Pradesh    -     Rs. 323,369 Crore
3. Uttar Pradesh        -     Rs. 296,417 Crore
4. Tamil Nadu             -     Rs. 273,424 Crore
5. Karnataka              -     Rs. 252,620 Crore
6. Gujarat                   -     Rs. 179,578 Crore
7. West Bengal          -     Rs. 169,910 Crore
8. Rajasthan               -     Rs. 150,741 Crore
9. Kerala                     -     Rs. 138,221 Crore
10. Haryana                  -     Rs. 136,291 Crore
11. Madhya Pradesh   -     Rs. 127,222 Crore
12. Punjab                    -     Rs. 118,022 Crore
13. Chattisgarh            -     Rs. 72,382 Crore
14. Jharkhand              -     Rs. 70,748 Crore
15. Orissa                     -     Rs. 66,181 Crore

NRIs get right to vote in Indian elections, promises PM

Fulfilling a long-standing demand of its diaspora, India Sunday said it would allow NRIs to vote and participate in the election process.

'Pursuant to the law that was enacted to enable Non-resident Indians to vote in our national elections, the government has issued notifications for registration of overseas electors under the Representation of People Act, 1950,' Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said.

'The government and people of India recognise and value the important role being played by Indian communities living abroad. We believe that Indian diaspora has much more to contribute to the building of modern India,' the prime minister said.

'We propose to facilitate, encourage and promote this engagement. Over the past year, we have taken a number of steps towards this end,' he added, as he formally inaugurated the 10th annual diaspora meet, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) here.

Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said NRIs would be able to exercise their franchise in upcoming elections.

'Indian nationals living abroad can now exercise their franchise in India at the time o f the elections,' Ravi said.

Now those NRIs who have registered with the embassies of their respective countries of stay, would be eligible to vote in the upcoming assembly elections in five states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur. Polls will take place in these countries between Jan 28 and March 3.

Mayawati inaugurates Rs. 685-Cr Noida memorial park

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati on Friday inaugurated her dream park in Noida.

Mayawati's pet project has been built at a cost of Rs 685 crore.

The Congress slammed the project calling it a complete waste of money.

A helicopter, a convoy of big cars, a red carpet and several officials were gathered to greet the chief minister as she arrived at the Rashtriya Dalit Smarak in Noida to inaugurate her dream 33-acre park this evening.

The Ambedkar Park features grand lawns, several statues and hundreds of trees and fountains.

Meanwhile, the Congress party has called the project a 'waste' and said that chief minister is wasting the public money.