Appraisal immunity for whistleblowers
Officers can now take on corrupt colleagues and seniors without worrying about appraisals and promotions. Any anomalies in their performance appraisal reports can be corrected by approaching cadre-controlling authorities. Forest service officer Sanjeev Chaturvedi, who exposed forest scams in Haryana, was the first one to benefit from this order.
IAS/IPS beyond political interference now
The IAS, IPS and the IFoS now have to spend a minimum of 2 years in each posting. This new rule has been circulated by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) with a view to keep a check on the political interference. The states are mandated to form a civil services board and all the appointments of the cadre officers are to be made on its recommendations.
Subsidised LPG quota raised to 12 cylinders
The Union government increased number of subsidised cooking gas cylinders from 9 to 12 per household and also delinked the transfer of the subsidy to bank accounts via Aadhaar (UID). While raising the cap is deemed as populist in the wake of coming elections, the subsidy link to Aadhaar is under SC purview.
Homosexuality remains a crime
Supreme Court refused the petition seeking review of its decision to criminalise homosexuality under Section 377. Though earlier the Delhi High Court had kept all adult consensual activity out of its ambit, the SC made same sex relations a criminal offence which outraged the gay community in India.
Political parties yet to comply by RTI, CIC forms panel
The Central Information Commission (CIC) sets up a three-member panel to hear complaints about the political parties failing to comply with its orders to ensure transparency in their working. Six political parties, including Congress, BJP, BSP, NCP, CPI and CPM, had been ordered to appoint public information officers and appellate authorities. However, the UPA has introduced a bill in the Parliament to amend the RTI which will take political parities out of its purview.
SIT to probe anti-Sikh riots
The Delhi government has decided to set up a special investigation team (SIT) to probe in the 1984 riots which left around 3,000 Sikhs dead in the capital. The move coincides with comment of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi that no Congressmen were involved in the riots, and a few who were said to be involved have been punished.
Andhra rejects Telangana
The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2013, which calls for formation of separate Telangana state, was rejected in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly following which the bandh declared by the Seemandhra MLAs was called off.
Pay high compensation for delayed land acquisition
The Ministry of Rural Development welcomed the recent Supreme Court judgement upholding the retrospective clause in the new land acquisition Act. The clause calls for higher compensations even for acquistions started before the implementation of the new law if the process was delayed or compensation not paid within five years of acquisition.
New PSU to develop Waqf properties
A new PSU, National Waqf Development Corporation Limited, has been established to develop Waqf properties for welfare of Muslims in India. There are more than 4.9 lakh registered waqf properties which can generate Rs 12,000 crore per annum if properly developed.
How debt waiver scheme failed farmers
Reimbursement of loans to micro finance institutions in violation of guidelines, tampering, overwriting and alteration of records, no benefits to entitled farmers and deficient monitoring led to failure of the Rs 65,000 crore scheme, says Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee.
SC stays Bhullar's execution on grounds of mental illness
Supreme Court stays execution of Devindar Pal Bhullar, the mastermind of the 1993 Delhi blasts, after his lawyer claims that Bhullar had been diagnosed with mental illness. The Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences will submit a report on Bhullar’s treatment failing which the death sentence remains.
Inadequate regulator pulls down airlines rankings
The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) of US has downgraded India’s aviation safety rankings citing inadequacy of Indian regulator. Due to this airlines in India have been barred from increasing the number of flights to the US and Indian flights will go through more safety checks in the country.
Rs 500 crore fund for innovations
The India Inclusive Innovation Fund, set up by Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, would invest in ventures that are scalable, sustainable and profitable and address the social needs of the less privileged in areas such as healthcare, food, nutrition, agriculture, education / skill development, energy, financial inclusion, water, sanitation, employment generation, etc.
Rajasthan to get largest sunshine plant
The 4000 MW solar power project will be carried out as a joint venture between BHEL, SECL, SSL, POWERGRID, SJVN and REIL. This would be the largest single location solar electricity generation project in the world which would help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 4 million tonnes per year.
One tenure for all
Chairpersons/members of tribunals and other quasi-judicial bodies set up through central legislations will have uniformity of tenure, retirement age, re-appointment, pension, salary and allowances including medical facilities, leave and travelling allowances.
Learning, camera, livelihood
National Rural Livelihoods Mission of Rural Development Ministry collaborates with Digital Green, a Microsoft research project, for exchange of relevant livelihood practices, especially related to agriculture, among rural communities using locally produced videos.
This is a weekly roundup of important policy news from Jan 27-Feb 2, 2013.