Probe against BJP, Cong for illegal foreign funds
Delhi High Court directs the home ministry and the election commission to investigate all donations to the parties in violation of Foreign Contribution Act including those from Vedanta and Dow Chemcials. Have to act within six months. BJP received Rs 19.42 crore as foreign funds while Congress got Rs 9.83 crore between 2003 and 12.
SC's panel allows limited iron ore mining in Goa
The committee suggests a cap of 20 million tonnes a year on iron ore mining subject to an adequate regulatory and monitoring mechanism on its environmental impacts.
Parliamentary panel for probe into pesticide scam in Haryana
Whistleblower IAS officer Ashok Khemka had alleged that the state government misused Central government subsidies to illegally sell a brand of pesticide to farmers which had not got the statutory clearance. He also alleged corruption in purchase of seeds at high cost without open and competitive tenders.
EC halts gas price hike
The Election Commission (EC) leaves the decision to the government that's formed after the general elections. Aam Aadmi Party had asked the commission to stall the price hike effective from April 1, 2014.
The Indian High Commission in Singapore had stated that Rs 6530 crores came into India from a one-room company in Singapore that does not do any business.
Aadhaar not mandatory anymore
Supreme Court asks govt to withdraw order, tells Unique Identification Authority of India not to share any information about an Aadhaar card with any government agency without permission of the card holder.
SC asks BCCI chief to step down
N Srinivasan resigns to allow fair investigation of the IPL match fixing scam. Gavaskar takes over for the IPL version.
Juveniles can’t be tried in regular courts
The Supreme Court disallows petition by the parents of Delhi gang rape victim asking for retrial of the juvenile convict in a regular court.
SC rejects Centre's plea against SIT for black money
Ignores jurisdiction argument; lashes out at the UPA government for its “inaction” in bringing back black money
National Green Tribunal (NGT) asks the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to come up with an alternative solution to underwater rock blasting for deepening the Mithi river due to its impact on biodiversity and ecosystem of the river.
No export of generic cancer drug
The Delhi High Court has barred export of generic kidney and liver cancer medication Sorefenat manufactured by Natco Pharma Ltd on a plea of German drug major Bayer Corporation. Bayer had alleged that the generic drug is being made under compulsory licence for sale in India and, thus, cannot be exported
This is a weekly update of policy news from March 23-30, 2014