• NATIONAL NEWS

Bill to increase monetary limit of jurisdiction of Administrator-General introduced in Rajya Sabha

Administrators-General (Amendment) Bill, 2011 proposing to increase monetary limit of jurisdiction of Administrator-General from Rs.2 Lakh to Rs.10 Lakh by amending the references to monetary limit in respective sections of Administrators-General Act has been introduced in Rajya Sabha.

Border Security Force (Amendment) Bill, 2011 introduced in Lok Sabha

In view of the necessity of deploying the border security force in areas other than the borders of India or its adjoining areas for the specified exigencies, the Border Security Force (Amendment) Bill, 2011 has been introduced in Rajya Sabha.

Bill to amend Inter-state Migrant workmen (regulation of employment & conditions of service) Act

Rajya sabha has introduced the Inter-state Migrant workmen (regulation of employment and conditions of service) Amendment Bill, 2011 to substitute the words 'worker' & 'workers' in place of 'workmen' & 'workman' wherever they occur throughout in the Act of 1979

DGFT eases the cotton export restriction

DGFT has partly withdrawn the restriction for obtaining registration certificate for cotton exports. Accordingly, exporters can obtain more than one registration certificate for cotton exports until September 2011, which was restricted earlier.

Rajya Sabha adopts the impeachment motion against Calcutta High Court Judge

Rajya sabha has passed the impeachment motion against the Justice soumitra sen of the Cal HC with requisite support of two third majority, he was accused of misappropriating the funds entrusted to him as an advocate in two cases.

Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Bill, 2011- Introduced in Lok Sabha

In order to consolidate and amend the law relating to benami transactions, the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Bill, 2011 has been introduced in Lok Sabha to prohibit holding property in benami and provide mechanism & procedure for confiscation of property held benami.

Minimum Eligibility Marks for OBCs be 10 per cent less than General: SC

The Apex court has held that the maximum cut off marks for OBCs for admission to central universities should be at most 10 per cent below the cut off marks of general category candidates while deciding the extent of cut off marks for admission of OBCs students in central universities.

Forfeiture of security amount, in no way, affects any statutory right under Indian Contract Act: SC

SC has ruled that Indian Contract Act merely provides that a person can withdraw his offer before its acceptance. But withdrawal of an offer, before it is accepted, is a completely different aspect from forfeiture of security money, which has been given for a particular purpose.

Courts have no mandate to re-evaluate an answer sheet : SC

The Apex court has held that courts have no mandate to re-evaluate an answer sheet or substitute its opinion as to how much marks should have been awarded to a candidate in an answer sheet, even if the candidate has been awarded less marks in an examination.

Allahabad HC Judges recuses themselves from hearing petition filed against land acquisition in Noida

The hearing of petitions filed against land acquisition in Noida, Greater Noida was deferred on Wednesday when the members of specially constituted 3-judge bench recused themselves from the case. Accordingly, matter has been referred back to the chief justice of the HC for constituting a new bench.

Punjab Tax on Luxuries Act, 2009 extended to UT of Chandigarh

The Central Government in exercise of the powers conferred by the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 has extended the Punjab Tax on Luxuries Act, 2009 to the Union Territory of Chandigarh vide Notification GSR 600(E) dt 4.8.2011.

Food Security Bill likely to be tabled in Winter Session

The Central Government will most likely be able to table the Food Security Bill only during the winter session of Parliament this year.

TDS in Service Tax Soon?

The Central Board of Excise and Customs has proposed to introduce a TDS mechanism while collecting Service Tax. The proposal though at a very initial stage now, a study group has been set up by the CBEC to examine its feasibility.

Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on sales) Regulations, 2011

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has released the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on sales) Regulations, 2011, prohibiting sale of certain admixtures and use of certain ingredient. The said regulations has come into force w.e.f 5th August, 2011

CCI held DLF guilty for misuse of its dominant position in the market

CCI has imposed Rs.630 cr fine on DLF accusing it of unfair trade practices, abuse of market dominance and brutal disregard of consumer rights. Also, directed it to modify the unfair conditions imposed on flat buyer within three months of the receipt of order.

Draft rules on banking licence likely by next week

RBI is likely to finalise its views on the extent of foreign capital and road map for dilution of promoter equity, paving the way for unveiling of draft rules on setting up new banks.

Government to levy new surcharge to provide free healthcare to every citizen in country

In order to fund its ambitious plan to provide free healthcare to every citizen in country, government  is considering a proposal to levy a surcharge similar to the one levied to fund education.

Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Bill passed by Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha has passed the Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Bill providing for the stringent punishment for those involved in organ trade. The Bill so passed also permits swapping of vital organs between willing but incompatible donors.

Appointment of three judges to the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia has cleared Justice Ranjana Desai of the Bombay High Court, Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court S.J. Mukhopadhaya and Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court J.S. Khehar for elevation to the apex court.

Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2011 passed by UP Government

UP Government  has passed the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2011 amid protests in the assembly. The said bill prevents farmers from reclaiming their land once it's acquired by replacing an earlier provision allowing farmers to reclaim their acquired land.

Foreign Airlines cannot claim sovereign immunity

The Apex Court has held that the foreign airlines even if state owned cannot claim immunity from proceedings before the Consumer Courts in India on issues relating to deficiency in services.

Death Penalty awarded to Red Fort attacker upheld by SC

The Apex Court has upheld the death penalty awarded to Lashkar-e-Taiba militant Mohammad Arif. The bench pronouncing judgment called this as crime falling within the rarest of the rare category.

RBI releases report of the panel constituted to review facilities for individuals under FEMA, 1999

RBI panel has suggested to allow NRIs to jointly open joint foreign currency non-residents/ non-residents external accounts with resident relatives while suggesting to improve facilities to resident individuals, non-resident Indians & simplification of procedures.

• INTERNATIONAL NEWS

New Addition To Thomas and Knight Ip Practice

The legal eagle known for its global presence, Thompson & Knight LLP has recently announced the entry of a new Associate to its Dallas office in the Intellectual Property Practice Group. Peter J. Corcoran, a former Associate from Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Los Angeles, California has a long list of credentials inter alia boasting of valuable experience in the Federal Circuit, Eastern District of Texas, and U.S. Patent and Trade mark Office, among being harbouring several other pertinent qualities fitted for the position.

Launch Of New Online Toy Shopping Website

In a world when everything's on the www - the World Wide Web, how can companies stay away from utilising cyber space to market their goods and for the sale thereof. Super Rad Industries, is just one such kid on the block, the pioneer in the field to do so, has announced the launch of its new website this week. The new website is proposed to be accessible and workable both vide the internet protocol and using one's personal mobile instrument, those with surfing applications.

National Intellectual Property Rights Co-Ordination Center (Ipr Center) Launches New Website

Given the increasing importance and existing neglected status of Intellectual Property Rights, one of the key weapons in combating this international crime problem is the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, or IPR Center. The center, which is hosted by ICE, brings together 17 different U.S. federal law enforcement agencies (including the FBI, ICE and CBP) charged with investigating these violations, along with global partners from Canada and Mexico.

Medical Robotics Company Acquires Exclusive Patent Rights

Medical robotics company MAKO Surgical is on the route of expansion of its IP portfolio, more particularly the patent sector. Official in charge of the project was eager to share that "Expansion of its intellectual property portfolio through the allowance of one of its MAKOplasty patents and securing the exclusive rights to the Immersion patent portfolio provide MAKO with the opportunity to achieve a unique and valuable market position in the field of robotically assisted orthopedic surgery."