• NATIONAL NEWS

Madras HC stays Execution convicts sentenced to death for conspiring to assassinate former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi

Madras high court has stayed the execution of death penalty of the three convicts sentenced to death for conspiring to assassinate former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. The High court has ordered notice to the union government returnable in eight weeks in a petition filed by the petitioner to commute their sentence to life imprisonment.

Parliament approves changes in juvenile justice law

Parliament has approved a bill to prevent separation of children suffering from diseases like leprosy and TB from rest of the occupants in juvenile homes.

Karnataka HC dismisses BSY's petition seeking quashing of report

The Karnataka High Court today dismissed as withdrawn a petition filed by former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa praying for quashing of Chapter 22 of the Lokayukta report on illegal mining that indicted him.

All Accused Acquitted in Former Gujarat Minister of State for Home, Haren Pandya Murder Case

Gujrat HC has acquitted all the accused in Pandya murder case saying that charge for the offence have not been proved beyond reasonable doubt and hence the conviction for the offence punishable IPC and POTA could not survive in respect of any of the Appellant.

RBI Releases Draft Guidelines for Licensing of New Banks in the Private Sector

RBI has released the draft guidelines for licensing of new banks in the private sector opening the doors for the corporate India to enter banking, but put stiff conditions that straightaway shut the door on real estate companies and brokerage firms.

CBEC releases the concept Paper on negative list of services inviting comments and suggestion

CBEC has releases the concept Paper on negative list of services for the widest possible consultation, extensive debate and to seek views and feedback of all stakeholders inviting comments and suggestion by September 30, 2011.

Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Bill, 2011- Passed by Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha has passed the Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Bill,2011 without any amendment, at its sitting held on the 26th August, 2011. The said Bill was passed by Lok Sabha on the 12th August, 2011.

Redressal of investor grievances against stock brokers & subbrokers in SEBI Complaints Redress System

SEBI has commenced processing of investor grievances in a centralized web-based complaints redressal system, 'SCORES'. Accordingly, investor grievances received by SEBI against stock brokers and subbrokers will be taken up electronically with the concerned stock exchange through SCORES

CERC proposes stricter rules to curb grid indiscipline

To curb utilities tendency to overdraw power by using the scheduled interchange charge mechanism, the CERC has proposed the stricter rules inviting the suggestions and objections by September 10.

SC directs Private Hospitals to provide free treatments to poor

SC has asked all private hospitals in Delhi to provide free treatment to poor and directed the state governments to discuss with hospitals to evolve guidelines on high-cost heath care.

Government relaxes the equity dilution norms for insurance firms

The finance ministry has issued a circular clarifying that an promoter of insurance companies can bring down its equity to 26% anytime after registration, even before completing ten years of the operations, if they are willing to do so.

RBI circular listing rules on foreign exchange derivatives upheld by Bombay HC

Bombay HC has held that the non-payment of dues under foreign exchange derivatives contract by a company would qualify as willful default, thereby, strengthens the hands of RBI in bringing about transparency and financial discipline in the commercial space.

Government requests SC to modify its order on Special Investigation Team

The government has requested the apex court to modify its order on SIT appointed to unearth the black money alleging that it will dislodge the entire existing set-ups under Income tax Act, Foreign exchange management Act, Prevention of money laundering Act.

Government of India signs double taxation avoidance agreement with Government of Georgia

Government of India has signed an Agreement for Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital (DTAA) with Government of Georgia. The Agreement will facilitate mutual economic cooperation between the two countries.

Revised norms for Accreditation of the legal correspondents covering the Supreme Court

SC has released the set of "updated" norms for Accreditation of the legal correspondents covering the SC and as per the revised norms "accreditation" for journalists to cover the apex court, whether permanent or temporary can be withdrawn, at any time, without assigning any reason.

SC to examine delay in Bhullar's mercy plea decision

SC has agreed to examine the reasons that caused eight years delay in the government's decision to reject the mercy plea filed by the Devender Singh Pal Bhullar accused of bomb blast in Delhi in 1993.

Consent order mechanism adopted by SEBI to settle cases with wrongdoer may take the backseat

SEBI may go slow on consent orders adopted by it in past to settle cases with wrongdoers in the equity market, subsequent to the disapproval expressed by SEBI's new chairman as to the way in which some specific violations were let off by paying settlement without admitting or denying charges in past.

Guidelines to deal with Candidates' Advertisements ON TV/Cable Channels owned by Political Parties

Election Commission has issued guidelines to the Chief Electoral Officers of all the States/UTs on 16.08.11, for dealing with candidates' advertisements on TV/Cable channels owned by political parties or their functionaries/office bearers during elections.

• INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Pak court orders confiscation of Musharraf's assets

A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has ordered the confiscation of property of former president Pervez Musharraf for his failure to appear before it in the 2007 murder case of former premier Benazir Bhutto as per the court officials.

Troubled Spain amends constitution to limit debt

Spain's main political powers have agreed to amend the constitution to make the government legally obliged to keep its deficit low, an effort to reassure markets that the country will keep its troubled finances under control and not need a bailout.