• NATIONAL NEWS

SC refuses to pass order on alleged inaction of Gujarat CM Narendra Modi during 2002 riots

SC has referred the matter regarding alleged inaction of Gujarat CM Narendra Modi during 2002 riots to concerned magistrate in Ahmadabad saying that it is for the magistrate to decide whether to proceed against Modi and 63 others in the riots cases. The bench, also comprising justices P Sathasivam and Aftab Alam, said in case the magistrate decides to drop proceedings against Modi and others, he has to hear the plea of slain MP Ehsan Jafri's widow Zakia Jafri, who had filed a complaint against the Gujarat chief minister.

Competition Appellate Tribunal grants interim relief to NSE from penalty imposed by CCI

Competition Appellate Tribunal has granted interim relief to NSE from the Rs. 5.5 crore penalty imposed by CCI, till disposal of the appeal filed by NSE. Granting a stay on payment of the penalty, the tribunal, however, ruled that the National Stock Exchange (NSE) would have to pay the fine along with an interest payment at the rate of 9% if the stock exchange loses the case.

West Bengal Govt to withdraw Nandigram case from SC

The state government has decided to withdraw the Nandigram case from the Supreme Court saying that the case was 'a wrong step' taken by the previous government. The Apex Court had ordered a CBI probe related to the case but preferred not to issue any final order earlier this year, observing that the new government in West Bengal might not wish to pursue with the case.

Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011 - Introduced in Lok Sabha

Government has introduced the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011 to ensure transparent process for land acquisition. The National Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation & Resettlement Bill, 2011, aims to address rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) by providing safeguards for both landowners and livelihood losers while clearly defining the "public purpose" for which land can be acquired by the government. It also adds a clause prescribing a specific timeline for compensation.

Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority Bill, 2011- Introduced in Lok Sabha

Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority Bill, 2011 striving to establish regulatory body for regulation of radiation safety or nuclear safety and achieving highest standards of such safety based on scientific approach has been introduced in Lok Sabha.

RBI asks banks to not to recover pre-payment charges in floating rate loans

In the Annual Conference of Banking Ombudsmen RBI has asked banks to not to recover pre-payment charges in floating rate loans in order to improve Customer Service of Banks. However, banks are free to recover / charge appropriate pre-payment penalties in the case of fixed rate loans.

Orissa (Alteration of Name) Bill and Constitution (113th) Amendment Bill passed by the parliament

Parliament has passed the Orissa (Alteration of Name) Bill and the constitution (113th ) Amendment Bill giving final nod to a constitutional amendment for changing name of 'Orissa' to 'Odisha' and the 'Oriya' language to 'Odia'

Private schools substantially financed by Government can be called as 'public authority' under RTI Act: CIC

Central Information Commission has ruled that the schools, which receives substantial funds from the government and controlled by the different agencies under Delhi administration, falls with in the ambit of RTI Act and can be called as 'public authority

Government plans stringent policy to hold manufacturers accountable for faulty vehicles

The ministry of road transport and highways is planning to formulate stringent policy to hold manufacturers accountable for making faulty vehicles as recommended by the expert committee appointed by the ministry

Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh sent to judicial custody till September 19 in the cash-for-vote scam

In the cash-for-vote scam, Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh has been sent to judicial custody till September 19, when he made an appearance in a local court after first claiming that he was too ill to attend the proceedings

Entertainment through DTH is taxable at the hands of State Government: Delhi HC

Delhi HC has held that DTH providers require to collect an entertainment tax for every subscriber on payments for admission to an entertainment through DTH saying that DTH service was like a cinema ticket providing continuous entertainment to viewers and hence, liable to be taxed by the State Government.

SBI Bill passed by Parliament

Parliament has passed the SBI Bill seeking to transfer powers to the Central Government from the Reserve Bank of India in respect of SBI subsidiary State Bank of Hyderabad

Centre asked to respond in Petition challenging imposition of ST on AC Restaurants and Hotels

Delhi HC has sought response from Center in the Petition by Federation of Hotels and Restaurants Association challenging imposition of Service Tax on AC Restaurants and Hotels on the ground that relevant provision of Finance Act 2011 is illegal, null and void and ultra vires the Constitution

Central Government notifies the Second protocol amending the DTAA bet the government of India & Singapore

Central Government has notified all the provisions of Second Protocol amending the DTAA bet the Govt of India & Singapore for taxable periods falling after 01.01.2008, i.e, FY 2008-09 & subsequent FYs in accordance with the provisions specified in Article 3 of Protocol.

Lok Sabha drops impeachment proceedings against justice Soumitra Sen

Lok sabha has decided to drop the impeachment proceedings against Justice Soumitra Sen after the president has notified his resignation on the eve of the proceedings. Sen had resigned as Calcutta High Court judge after the Rajya Sabha voted to impeach him last month, and President Pratibha Patil had accepted his resignation on Saturday.

Rule on consumer goods packaging to be examined by the SC

The Apex court has referred the question whether the outer packaging of consumer goods should carry a declaration about the date of the manufacturing and other details under the packaged commodities rules to the constitution bench.

Delhi divided into nine Metropolitan Areas with each to have its own Chief Metropolitan Magistrate

With the passing of Code of Criminal Procedure (Delhi Amendment) Bill 2011 by the Delhi Assembly, Delhi will now be divided into Nine metropolitan areas with each having its own CMMs.

Ransom paid to kidnappers allowed as tax deduction by Madhya Pradesh HC

Madhya Pradesh HC has allowed a trader to claim the reduction in the tax liability for the money paid as ransom for his release from kidnappers saying that paying ransom to save a life is nowhere provided as an offence

Non-lawyers can represent consumer under Consumer Protection Act: Supreme Court

SC has ruled that non-lawyers can represent, appear and argue cases filed under the Consumer Protection Act before consumer district forums and commissions while dismissing an appeal filed by the bar council of India against a Bombay HC judgment allowing agents to represent consumer.

Pfizer Inc and Dr Reddy's laboratories settle the patent infringement suit over Lipitor

Pfizer Inc and Dr Reddy's laboratories have settled the patent infringement suit filed by the Pfizer to prevent the Dr.Reddy from launching its low cost version of Lipitor in 80mg dosage.

• INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Senate passes America Invents Act

The American Senate has passed the Bill to amend the patent law has now been passed by the Senate. The Bill was passed by the Congress in June and awaits President's approval. The Bill entitled, 'America Invents Act', will change the American Patent Law in many important respects.

World War II Compensation : Germany and Italy at International Court of Justice

Germany and Italy have taken the issue of World War II compensation for an Italian Citizen who was sent to German Labour camp. Germany argued at the United Nations' highest court Monday that Italian courts have no right to order it to pay compensation to Nazi war victims, saying international law and peace treaties would be jeopardized if national courts had the power to override them.

Hanover considering to raise local services tax to maximum $52

The local services tax in Hanover could double, bringing in about $600,000 if the borough council approves a new ordinance. Those who work in Hanover currently pay a $26 annual local services tax, generating about $314,000. If the increase proposal is passed, the borough's revenue would also almost double.

Sindh Government wants FBR to withdraw excise duty

The Sindh Government has lodged a strong protest with the federal government over obstacles it said were being created by the Federal Board of Revenue in smooth collection of sales tax on services. Sources said that the Sindh government, in a letter dispatched on Tuesday, drew FBR attention towards the 1973 Constitution, which clearly stipulates that GST on goods is the jurisdiction of the federal government while collection of GST on services falls under the purview of provincial governments.