• NATIONAL NEWS

Trial court rejects Facebook India's plea to drop suit

Delhi trial court has dismissed the plea of Facebook India for dropping its name from a suit against social networking websites for allegedly hosting objectionable content while rejecting their contention that Facebook India has no say in running of site.

Italian marines get bail with stringent conditions

Kerala HC has granted bail to two Italian marines charged with the killing of two Indian fishermen on a surety of Rs. 1 Crore and several other conditions restricting their freedom.

Punjab govt mulls law to check the growing trend of NRI grooms deserting brides

In order to check the growing trend of NRI grooms deserting brides, Punjab govt is planning to bring a law in August to make verification of NRIs and registration of their marriages mandatory.

India Signs Agreement with Bahrain for Exchange of Information with Respect to Taxes

India has signed an Agreement with the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain for the Exchange of Information with respect to taxes. The Agreement is based on international standards of transparency and exchange of information stipulating provisions for effective exchange of information including bank banking information between tax authorities of the two countries.

Justice Madan Bhimarao Lokur appointed to the Supreme Court of India

Justice Madan Bhimarao Lokur, currently Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court, has been administered oath of office by the CJI , his name was cleared by the Supreme Court collegium in May. Accordingly, the present strength of judges in Supreme Court will stand at 26.

Delhi HC rules that PNGRB has no power to regulate CNG tariff

Delhi HC has ruled that government regulator Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board has no jurisdiction to fix rates or regulate tariff, thereby confers more freedom on city gas distributors to determine tariff.

Promulgation of Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Amendment Regulation, 2012

Union Cabinet has approved the promulgation of Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Amendment Regulation 2012 under Art. 240, which will cover the entire Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands to protect the aboriginal tribes from the undesirable outside influences. [File attached]

IRDA proposes to provide policy cover to people up to 65 years

IRDA has issued the draft health insurance regulations stipulating that health insurers must provide policy cover to people up to 65 years and settle all claims within a week. As per the proposed norms, the insurers must provide all relevant details in a simple language on a single page.

Government Notifies Guidelines for Short Term Procurement of Electricity by Discoms

Govt has notified the guidelines for short-term procurement of electricity by Distribution Licensees u/s.63 of Electricity Act, 2003 to promote competitive procurement of short-term power requirement by the Distribution Licensees and are reduce the overall cost of procurement of power leading to significant benefits for consumers.

Union Cabinet Approves National Telecom Policy

Union cabinet has approved the National Telecom Policy, which seeks to provide secure, reliable, affordable & high quality converged telecommunication services anytime, anywhere for an accelerated inclusive socio-economic development. The main thrust of the Policy is on the multiplier effect and transformational impact of such services on the overall economy. [PIB attached]

SEBI to revise FII's data reporting norms

SEBI is considering to revise the existing FII's data reporting norms and implement a new reporting format known as eXtensible Business Reporting Language to strengthen KYC norms for FIIs and bring more transparency in the use of participatory notes in the Indian market.

SC rejects Talwar's plea to dismiss their trial in Aarushi Murder case

The Apex court has rejected the review petition filed by Talwar's seeking reconsideration of an order that paved the way for the trial of Nupur and Rajesh Talwar. Consequently, they will have to stand trial in the case as ordered by a CBI court in Ghaziabad.

Financial Literacy Norms revised by the RBI

RBI has released the new guidelines for financial literacy and credit counselling centres. Accordingly, While the existing FLCCs would continue to function with a renewed focus on financial literacy, Lead banks are advised to set up Financial Literacy Centres in each of the Lead District Manager Offices in a time bound manner.

Delhi Tax on Luxuries (Amendment) Bill, 2012 Passed by the Delhi Assembly

State govt has passed the Delhi Tax on Luxuries (Amendment) Bill, 2012 proposing to levy luxury tax on the services such as health clubs, gyms, spas. However, the quantam of tax is yet to be finalized.

RBI removes fore-closure charges/pre-payment penalty of home loans

RBI has removed the foreclosure charges/prepayment penalty on home loans with floating interest rates after having observed that foreclosure charges levied by banks are resented upon by home loan borrowers especially since banks were found to be hesitant in passing on benefits of lower interest rates to existing borrowers in a falling interest rate scenario.

Delhi HC: Muslim girl can marry at 15 without parental consent

Delhi HC has ruled that as per the Mohammedan law a muslim girl can marry without the consent of her parents, if she attains the age of puberty. Additionally, she has a right to stay with her husband even if she is below the age of 18.

Govt to release new guidelines to revive appeal of SEZs

Govt is likely to release new guidelines to revive export hubs, special economic zones considering that the imposition of Minimum Alternative Tax and Dividend Distribution Tax had led to visible slowdown in the growth of export from SEZs.

Court Fees (Delhi Amendment) Bill, 2012 Passed by the Delhi Assembly

Delhi State assembly has passed the Court Fees (Delhi Amendment) Bill, 2012 amending section 26 of the Court Fees Act, 1870, in order to rationalize the collection of the court.

Delhi Govt drops five percent VAT on CNG

Delhi Govt has dropped the proposal to impose five per cent value added tax on compressed natural gas. The proposal to impose VAT was announced in budget speech a week ago.

CBI court extends judicial custody of Jagan Mohan Reddy till June 25

CBI court has extended the judicial custody of Jagan Mohan Reddy in the disproportionate assets case till June 25. Further, CBI has filed a petition seeking Jagan Mohan Reddy to undergo a narco test.

Centre moves SC against AP High Court verdict quashing 4.5% Sub- quota

Govt has moved the apex court against the Andhra Pradesh HC order quashing 4.5% sub- quota for minority within the 27% reservation for other Backward classes in central education institutions. The petition has contended that the sub-quota for muslims was essential as they were more backward.

Department of Biotechnology finalises draft guidelines for Biosimilar drugs

Department of Biotechnology has finalised the draft guidelines for Biosimilar drugs proposing specific requirements for pre-marketing and post marketing data apart from guidelines for pre-clinical and clinical trials for biosimilars.

CBI summons BCCI chief in connection with Jagan Mohan Reddy assets case

CBI has summoned BCCI Chief and India Cements Managing Director N Srinivasan for questioning in connection with disproportionate assets cases against Jaganmohan Reddy. It was alleged by CBI that India cements has invested in companies promoted by Jagan Reddy in a quid pro quo.

Govt defers implementation of packaging rules prescribing standardization of packaging

Govt has deferred the implementation of rules prescribing norms on weight and size of commodities to 1 November 2012, it was earlier appointed as 1 July 2012. Further, value based packs priced between Rs. 1 to 10 has been exempted from standardization.

Govt directs UIDAI to use data collected by Ministry of Home Affairs

Union Cabinet has directed the UIDAI to use the biometric data gathered by home ministry's National Population Register Project for the purpose of giving unique ID number to every resident of India under Aadhaar project.

Union cabinet defers Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Bill

Union cabinet has deferred the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Bill, which seeks to give legal sanction to the interim sanction to the pension regulator and bring various other pension reforms.

CBI gets nod to attach B Ramalinga Raju's assets

Andhra pradesh govt has granted its approval to CBI for attachment of properties belonging to Satyam Computers founder B Ramalinga Raju in connection with the scam perpetrated by him and his associates.

Madras HC refuses to quash election petition filed against P Chidambaram

Madras HC has refused to quash election petition filed against P Chidambaram challenging his election to Lok Sabha on the ground of several malpractices. However, court has directed removal of two of the 29 allegations levelled against him

• INTERNATIONAL NEWS

UK to impose family curbs on immigrants

UK Govt is working on the proposal to change immigrant rights and likely to annouce curbs that includes the end of the right to avoid deportation on the basis of maintaining "family life", and raises the minimum salary of a person wishing to bring a non-European Union foreign spouse to œ27,200. Further, another proposal will extend the probationary period for a non-EU spouse from two to five years, thus making it more difficult for a couple, more so if it's a marriage of convenience.

UK to criminalise forced marriage

UK govt is planning to introduce a legialation to criminalise forced arranged marriages. The said legialation is likely to be introduced by year end, said law would also make anyone complicit in luring a British national or resident into a betrothal outside the country liable to prosecution.

Contempt petition filed against Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in Lahore high court

A contempt petition has been filed against Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari for continuing to hold the political office of head of the ruling PPP in violation of a court's order. It was alleged by the petitioner that Zardari had not disassociated himself from the political office as soon as possible, as expected in a decision given by the High Court on the President's dual offices and the President had not stopped "misusing" the premises of the presidency for the purpose of his party.