Sunday, September 28, 2014
Bureaucrat can't be victimised for criticising govt
SC slaps a fine of Rs 5 lakh on Centre and UP government for harassing an IAS officer who approached the court on the black money issue. 
 
CID investigations, quick trial besides 14 other guidelines to curb fake encounters
Supreme Court says investigations into any police killings with guns must be undertaken by experienced state CID or another police station, and magistrate and state Human Rights Commission or the National Human Rights Commission must be alerted in any such case. No out of turn gallantry award to policemen until clearance. 
 
Jayalalithaa first CM to lose post twice in graft cases
Sentenced to four years in jail in an 18-year-old corruption case and fined Rs 100 crore by a special court whose verdict unseats her from the post and could send her to political exile for 10 years.
 
Mangalyaan enters Mars orbit successfully.
With this, India becomes the first nation in the world to have entered the Mars orbit in the first attempt. ISRO's mission is also the cheapest till now 
 
SC cancels 214 coal blocks allocation over irregularities
The allocation had been illegal and arbitrary and resulted in the unfair distribution of national wealth. Many steel, power companies who were coal mine allotees defaulting on loans.
 
Ganga clean-up will take 18 years, depends on state governments: Centre 
 
SC questions Centre on PoWs in Pakistan 
 
Arindam Chaudhuri's IIPM barred from offering MBA, BBA courses
Delhi High Court order underscores that the courses are not recognised; imposes a fine of Rs 25,000 for violating its earlier undertaking given to the court that it will not give misleading advertisement or information about the courses run by it.
 
Tribal affairs ministry against diluting forest rights law
Says the Forest Rights Act does not provide any exception to the need for tribal consent to divert their traditional forest lands for industrial projects. 
 
Ban on animal sacrifice in Himachal
The Himachal Pradesh High Court says no person shall sacrifice any animal or bird in any place of religious worship. An assembly of local deities had earlier directed the tradition to continue.
 
No fresh green nod for mining, other projects in Western Ghats
NGT asks Environment Ministry to decide over ecologically sensitive areas (ESA) in Western Ghats spreading across six states before granting any fresh environmental clearance to mining, quarrying, sand mining, thermal power plants, building and construction projects.
 
Govt to revive five PSUs, VRS for employees of six units
The six companies which cannot be revived are Hindustan Photo Films Ltd; HMT Bearings Ltd; HMT Watches Ltd; HMT Chinar Watches Ltd; Tungabhadra Steel Products Limited; and Hindustan Cables Ltd. 
 
Not allowing sex for a long time is ground for divorce: SC
 
First open court hearing on death sentence prisoner held
In accordance with the September 2 verdict of the five-judge Constitution Bench which had held that a limited oral hearing even at the review stage is mandated by Article 21 in all death sentence cases.
 
SC to reconsider own order on whistleblower's identity
Had earlier directed the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) to disclose the identity of the whistleblower who leaked some names in the visitors' diary at CBI chief Ranjit Sinha's residence. 
 
SC stays CCI order on NSE penalty of Rs 55 crore
The case traces back to 2009 when MCX Stock Exchange moved the CCI against NSE's decision to offer currency derivatives trading free of cost to investors. It argued that NSE enjoyed a dominant position, which was abused.
 
Govt will continue to support minimum pension plan 
 
This is a roundup of policy news from September 21-28, 2014