• NATIONAL NEWS

Panel chaired by the Prime Minister Approves the Draft National Manufacturing Policy Manufacturing policy 

Panel chaired by the Prime Minister has approved the draft for national manufacturing policy seeking to increase the share of manufacturing in the GDP to 25% by 2025 from the current 16% and creation of mega industrial zones with world class infrastructure facilities. This would be a step towards greater focus on improving manufacturing processes and facilities in the country. The new policy would bring in technology and encourage innovation in the manufacturing segment.

West Bengal government promulgate an ordinance taking back the  land allocated to TATA in Singur

State Govt has promulgated an ordinance to re -acquire the land allocated to TATA Motors in singur for Nano project citing non-performance by TATA Motors. The ordinance enables the cheif minister to keep her three year promise made to the farmers.

Splitting of minimum wages for the purpose of PF contribution is not permissible : EPFO

Employee provident fund organisation has clarified that the minimum wage is the lowest permitted wage legally required to be paid by an employer to its worker and therefore the basic wage in no case can be less than the minimum wage. Also, the minimum wages are not amenable to split.

1st June, 2011 appointed as the date on which S.43A, 44 of the Competition Act shall come into force

Central government has appointed the 1st June, 2011 as the date on which the provisions of Section 43A & 44 of the Competition Act , 2002, dealing with power to impose penalty for non-furnishing of information on combinations and penalty prescribed thereon, shall come into force.

State Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks) Amendment Act, 2011 - Effective from 1st June ,2011

Central government has appointed the 1st June ,2011 as the date on which the provisions of the State Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks) Amendment Act, 2011 shall come into force.

Delhi HC dismisses bail pleas of DMK MP Kanimozhi and Kalaignar TV MD Sharad Kumar in 2G case

Delhi HC has dismissed the bail pleas of DMK MP Kanimozhi and Kalaignar TV MD Sharad Kumar in connection with 2G case.

Coal ministry for overhaul of national distribution policy

The widening demand-supply gap and depleting production of Coal India Limited has compelled the coal ministry to overhaul the national coal distribution policy. If the ministry has its way then soon a new distribution policy would be in place to serve the comprehensive coal linkage needs of core and non-core sectors by introducing adequate flexibility in coal supply to meet the growing demands of these sectors and promote energy security.

Bihar State Cabinet okays new industrial promotion policy

The state cabinet has okayed the new industrial policy. To be known as the New Industrial Promotion Policy-2011, that will come into effect from July. Under this policy, new labour intensive industries which invest over Rs 500 crore in the state will be given special incentive. Also, the state government will give incentive to the small and medium industries as well as to those industries setting up captive power plants of their own.

Report of the Committee on Comprehensive Review of National Small Savings Fund recommends to end Kisan Vikas Patras, calls for NSC maturity in 5 years

The government panel, set up to review the small investment schemes of post offices and banks, has recommended discontinuation of the popular Kisan Vikas Patra, among other changes. It has also proposed a 0.5% raise in the interest rate for post office savings account to 4%, reduction in the maturity period of National Savings Certificates (NSCs) to five years from six, and raising the annual contribution limit in Public Provident Fund (PPF) to Rs 1 lakh, from the current Rs 70,000.

Lokpal Bill likely to be tabled in Monsoon session

Lokpal Bill is likely to be ready by June 30 and tabled in the monsoon session of the Parliament. The Govt has sought to widen consultations and written to all chief ministers and political parties to give their views.

Violation of the code of conduct framed under Regulations is liable to be penalised u/s.15HB :SAT

SAT has held that a violation of the code of conduct, prescribed under the Securities & Exchange Board of India (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 1992, is punishable by the Board as violation of the Regulations in addition to such action that may be taken by the company.

New Directorate of Income Tax (Criminal Investigation) Created to check black money

Ministry of Finance has set up new Directorate of Income Tax (Criminal Investigation) to look into criminal matters having any financial impliaction punishable as an offence under any Direct Tax Laws.

Labour Law Reforms: Chaturvedi Panel to finalise its report by July

All the Central Labour Laws has been put under scanner of the working group on labour laws and regulations under chairmanship of Union Labour Secretary Prabhat Chaturvedi to review which all laws are to repealed or modified.

Model Residential Tenancy Act, 2011 released by the housing ministry

Ministry of housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation has released the draft legislation titled as 'Model Residential Tenancy Act, 2011' proposing to establish a framework for the regulation of Residential Tenancy matters and to balance the rights and responsibilities of landlords & tenants.

New Land Acquisition policy announced by the Uttar Pradesh Cheif Minister Mayawati

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has announced a new land acquisition policy that will be implemented with immediate effect. As per the new policy Govt role in acquiring land for private developers would only be that of a facilitator.

Public Notice permitting Delhi Airport Authority to charge development fees stayed by the Del HC

In a petition seeking to challenge public notice permitting Delhi Airport Authority to charge development fees, Delhi HC has directed the petitioner to approach the AERA Appellate Tribunal. However, court has stayed the operation of public notice till the Appellate Tribunal decide the issue.

Indirect Tax Ombudsman Guidelines, 2011 - To be effective from 11th May, 2011

CBEC has introduced the Indirect Tax Ombudsman Guidelines, 2011 with the objective of enabling the resolution of complaints relating to public grievances against the Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax Department & to facilitate the satisfaction or settlement of such complaints.

Government plans to impose penalty on Airlines for defaulting payment of airport development fees

The government has proposed to impose penalty on airlines for defaulting payment of airport development fees in the new draft rules framed by the ministry of civil aviation.

Registration of the companies in 24 hrs from July first week

Govt has set first week of July as the target date for launching a completely digitized service that will allow anyone having all relevant document and approvals to complete the process of registering a company in a day.

Wage Board's recommendations challenged in the Supreme Court

Bengal's leading dailies has filed the writ petition under Article 32 of the constitution challenging the legality of the Wage board's recommendations in SC, seeking that the wage board and the legislation under which it was constituted be declared null & void.

Right to privacy may soon be statutory right

Right to privacy including right to confidentiality of communication, private and personal life, protection of his honor and good name may become a statutory right and the bill is likely to be tabled in monsoon session.

Dispute over coastal waters between Orissa and Kolkata Port Trust to be decided by the Apex Court

Kolkata Port Trust has filed a petition in Supreme Court pleading withdrawal of the cases pending before the Orissa and Calcutta High Courts. The Notification that has unilaterally extended the Kolkata Port Trust limits is disputed by the Orissa.

Report and Recommendations on Securing Card Present Transactions

The Working Group appointed by RBI to recommend action plan for implementing additional authentication for all card present transactions has submitted its report (attached herewith).

Decision on Idea Cellular and Spice Communications merger reserved

The Delhi High Court has reserved its decision on the merger under scanner on the ground of alleged suppression of material facts about demerging of overlapping licences.

Delhi Court dismisses plea for direction to CBI to make Anil Ambani & Ratan Tata accused in 2G scam

Delhi court has dismissed the plea for a direction to CBI to make Reliance ADAG chairman Anil Ambani and Tata group chief Ratan Tata accused in the 2G spectrum scam saying that applications are not only devoid of any substance but are also contrary to law and deserve to be dismissed with heavy cost.

Time sought by TRAI from the Apex Court for framing new Interconnection Usage Charges (IUC) regime

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has sought three months extension from the SC to complete the process of framing new IUC regime. These charges are paid by telecom service provider for using services of other providers to transmit and complete a call.

Draft Unlisted Public Companies (Preferential Allotment/ Private Placement) Rules, 2011

The MCA has issued draft of the new rules with intent to substitute Unlisted Public Companies (Preferential Allotment) Rules, 2003.

MCA's draft Companies (Dematerialization of Certificates) Rules, 2011

All public Companies and their subsidiaries which have raised money by issue of shares, debentures by accepting public deposits, stock, bond or any other financial instruments from public other than from Directors of the Company would be required to keep such certificates in dematerialized form only

Punjab enacts Right to Service Act

The State Government of Punjab in a major administrative move has enacted Right to Service Act aiming to provide citizen services to people as a right. The Act is likely to put into effect by the month of July 2011.

Panel to conserve waterbody in Delhi

Delhi govt has formed an apex body, headed by the chief secretary, to catalogue and mark progress of restoration for each listed waterbody in the city. The environment department will be responsible for filing regular action taken reports.

• INTERNATIONAL NEWS

US Supreme Court rejects the Microsoft's appeal over Word patent

US Supreme Court has rejected the Microsoft's appeal against the 2009 lower court order holding that the Toronto's i4i Inc. hold the patent in Word applications and Microsoft willfully infringed the i4i patent.

Rana acquitted in 26/11 case, convicted for helping LeT

Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Hussain Rana was acquitted by a US court on charges of abetting Mumbai terror attacks but was convicted for providing material support to LeT and helping a terror plot in Denmark. Rana faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison on the two counts combined and remains in federal custody without bond.

Facebook under fire for photo tagging feature

Facebook is coming under fire for a feature that uses facial recognition software to allow members to tag pictures of their friends on the social network. The "Tag Suggestions" feature made its debut on Facebook in the United States six months ago but has drawn renewed attention this week after the social network began rolling it out to other countries.

Tag Suggestions uses facial recognition software to match newly uploaded photos to photos that have been tagged elsewhere and suggests the name of the friend in the photo for tagging. Although the feature was launched in the United States in December, it began coming under scrutiny again this week following a blog post by Graham Cluley of the security firm Sophos.

Gaddafi investigated over use of drugs for rapes

The chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court has said that he is investigating whether Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi provided Viagra-type drugs to Libyan soldiers to promote the rape of women during the current conflict.Luis Moreno Ocampo said yesterday his office is collecting evidence on rapes and has become "more convinced" that Gaddafi decided to punish women by using rape as a weapon, which would be a new method in the Libya civil war of instilling fear and trying to control the population.

Greenhouse gas emissions hitting record highs

Greenhouse gas emissions are going up instead of down despite 20 years of effort, hitting record highs, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency. Other unpleasant topics at the conference in Bonn include the tsunami-triggered nuclear disaster in March, which apparently has sidelined Japan's aggressive policies to combat climate change. It also prompted countries like Germany to hasten the decommissioning of nuclear power stations which, regardless of other drawbacks, have nearly zero carbon emissions.

US raises concerns over Google hacking with China

US has formally raised its concerns with the Chinese authorities about Google's allegations of a cyber spying campaign originating in China. Google contended that it was hit by a cyberspying campaign that appeared to have originated in Jinan, capital of the eastern Chinese province of Shandong. However, China claims that it was "unacceptable" to blame it for a cyber spying campaign which Google said had targeted the Gmail accounts of senior US officials, military personnel, journalists and Chinese activists.

Malaysia opposition leader Anwar fails to remove judge in sodomy case

Malaysian opposition leader and former deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim failed to remove the judge in his sodomy case. Charges against Anwar allege that he sodomized a former male political aide. Anwar argued that Judge Zabidin Mohamad Diah had convicted him before he had a chance to give his defense. Judge Zabidin dismissed the application for his removal. Under Malaysian law, sodomy is punishable by 20 years in prison regardless of consent. Anwar has consistently argued that the allegations are a politically motivated attempt to silence the opposition. This is the second sodomy case launched against him.

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood legalized as party

The long banned Muslim Brotherhood has been recognized as the Freedom and Justice Party. The announcement would allow the group to run in parliamentary elections set for September. The Brotherhood was founded in 1928 but outlawed since 1954. It has built and maintained a powerful social welfare network. Its candidates, running as independents, won 20 percent of the vote in a 2005 parliamentary election. The group has said it plans to field candidates in about half of Egypt's districts. To qualify as a party under new regulations, the party has declared it will be open to Muslims, Christians and women.

Court says Halliburton lawsuit can go forward

The United States Supreme Court ruled that Halliburton Co. shareholders can pursue a class-action lawsuit claiming the oil services company inflated its stock price. The lawsuit argues that Halliburton deliberately understated the company's liability in asbestos litigation, inflated how much money its construction and engineering units would bring in and overstated the benefits of a merger with Dresser Industries. When Halliburton made corrective disclosures, it made the stock price drop and caused investors to lose money, the lawsuit said. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans refused to let the lawsuit go forward. But the Supreme Court said that ruling was incorrect.

French regulator bars 'Follow us on Twitter' on TV

France's audiovisual regulator says broadcasters may not use promotional lines like "Follow us on Twitter" or "Find us on Facebook". France's Superior Audiovisual Council CSA says that citing social media by name could violate France's ban on secret advertising on the airwaves. The CSA's press office told The Associated Press on Monday it has advised broadcasters to instead use the generic term "social media" when promoting their online offerings, and refer to Facebook or Twitter only when a report or program merits a specific reference.

Federal judge allows environmental groups' lawsuit against ExxonMobil

A federal judge permitted two environmental groups to sue a Texas refinery owned by ExxonMobil Corp. for failing to enforce federal environmental standards. The Sierra Club and Environment Texas filed the lawsuit in December in the US District Court for the Southern District of against ExxonMobil's Baytown, Texas, refinery and the adjacent chemical plant for allegedly releasing over 8 million pounds of pollutants beyond the levels permitted under the CAA in the last five years. The Clean Air Act (CAA) contains a provision permitting private individuals to seek enforcement of federal pollution laws when the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fails to do so. Exxon argued that the lawsuit should not proceed because the EPA already oversees the enforcement of CAA pollution standards. The parties seek a court order enjoining ExxonMobil to cease committing CAA violations. ExxonMobil also faces civil penalties of up to $37,500 per day for each violation.

New Jersey Court: No shield law for message board posters

People who post to online message boards don't have the same protections as mainstream journalists when it comes to keeping their sources secret, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled. The court said in a unanimous ruling against a Washington state woman that New Jersey's shield law provides broad protection to the news media and is not limited to traditional news outlets like newspapers and magazines, but does not apply to message board posters. "To ensure that the privilege does not apply to every self-appointed newsperson, the Legislature requires that other means of disseminating news be `similar' to traditional news sources to qualify for the law's coverage," Chief Justice Stuart Rabner. The case involved a New Jersey software company named Too Much Media, which sued the woman for defamation and wanted her to reveal sources she had cited in message board posts. The company makes software used by many online porn sites to track traffic from other sites to determine how much those sites should be paid in commissions.