Law to protect whistleblower passed
Parliament passed the Whistleblowers' Protection Bill that safeguards to those who disclose information on corruption or misuse of power by public servants, including ministers. However, the bill also provides punishment for false or frivolous complaints.
SC stops Tamil Nadu from releasing Rajiv's killers
Supreme Court stops Tamil Nadu government from releasing seven prisoners convicted of assassinating former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi after Centre objects to the decision. Earlier, the apex court had commuted the death sentences on three of them to life imprisonment because of an 11-year delay in deciding on their mercy petitions.
Telangana becomes India's 29th state
Bill on formation of Telangana passed by the Parliament through voice vote. Hyderabad to be joint capital for 10 years; Seemandhara gets special status.
One rank, one pension for soldiers
Interim budget approves of same pension for soldiers of the same rank and the same length of service, irrespective of their retirement date. Over 25 lakh ex-servicemen who retired before 2006 will get same pension as their juniors.
Interim budget cuts excise duty
May make cars, SUVs, two-wheelers, mobile handsets, capital goods and consumer durables cheaper. Step taken to boost manufacturing and growth.
Firms to protect whistleblowers
The mandatory mechanism will help employees and directors to expose corrupt practices in corporate world.
Coal regulator gets Cabinet approval
Will be empowered to specify principles and methodology for determination of price of coal, regulate methods for qualty testing,monitor closure of mines and approval of mining plans. Wil be set up through an executive order..
Personal laws don't bar adoption
Supreme Court ruled that any person can adopt a child irrespective of religion he or she follows and even if the personal laws of the particular religion does not permit it. The ruling thus extends right to adoption to Muslims, Christians, Jews, Parsis and all other communities.
Prisoners to have Aadhaar cards in Gujarat
Gujarat High Court asks the state government to make provision for Indian prisoners after an inmate's wife seeks his release to get his Aadhaar card made. The cooking gas connection was on the prisoner's name and the family was not getting the subsidy in absence of Aadhaar number.
Cabinet nod for Green Mission
The Rs 46,000 crore scheme will add six to eight million hectares of forest cover as well as improve degraded forests over 10 years.
This is a roundup of policy news from Feb 16-23