Centre may cancel 41 coal blocks
Informs the Supreme Court that in the case of 61 other allocations, companies had been asked to remove deficiencies within four to six weeks.
Delhi's decision on FDI under scrutiny
Union Commerce Ministry will seek legal opinion as it feels states which had earlier agreed to FDI in retail can't go back.The new Kejriwal government had revoked the decision of the previous government to allow FDI.
States not following RTE
NCPCR's review report highlights gaps at state level including mandatory age proofs, poor composition and formation of school management committees and non-implementation of 25 per cent reservation for weaker sections.
Revenue sharing proposed for new oil and gas blocks
Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry will propose revenue sharing formula for the oil and gas blocks to be put up for auction soon. The formula had been suggested by the Rangarajan Committee from the present production sharing contract regime.
RTI users can provide post box number
Ministry of Personnel has ordered all public authorities not to seek address of the RTI applicant if the post box number is provided for communication.
Reliance project exempted from afforestation rules
Cabinet asks Environment Ministry to treat 4000 MW Tilaiya project in Jharkhand at par with Central Government undertaking projects so that the Reliance Power is not required to provide non-forest land to compensate for the loss of forest land acquired for the plant.
Posco gets India and Korea together
India and Korea intensify co-operation with nine pacts in trade, investment, defence and cyberspace sectors. Centre expedites environment clearance on Posco project.
CBI concerned about Lokpal Act
Has written to the Law Minister about the new provisions which require the agency to take approval from the Central Vigilance Commission before filing chargesheets in cases referred by the commission.
Centre asked to submit 'secret' report on mining
The Supreme Court has ordered the Centre to file the Justice Shah Commission report on illegal iron ore mining in Odisha which had been marked ‘secret’ until it was tabled in the Parliament.
New amendments to ensure multiple power holders
Power ministry seeks amendments in the Electricity Act and the National Tarrif Policy to ensure that the same company does not own the network as well as supply electricity.
Ports can develop land now
The Shipping Ministry new land policy guidelines allows 12 major ports to undertake various development projects on a tender-cum-auction basis. Leasing and licensing of land inside the custom bonded areas can be given on license from 11 months to five years while that outside can given for upto 30 years.
Campaign against fraud NRI grooms
Government of India has launched an awareness cum education campaign to safeguard the interest of Indian woman from fraudulent marriages with overseas Indians. Will also provide legal assistance to women abandoned by their NRI husbands.
India to get polio free tag
India has been declared polio-free nation for the third year and has proved the National Immunisation Programme a success. WHO will declare India polio free on February 11.
States to increase food grain procurement
Asked to open more purchasing centres for increased procurement of food grains to ensure effective implementation of the Food Security Act.
Pension fund can now be withdrawn partially
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority proposes option for 25% withdrawal of funds from National Pension System to meet major expenses related to health and education.
This is a weekly roundup of important policy news from Jan 13-19, 2013.
Compiled by Amruta Mudholkar and Abraham Vargheese