• NATIONAL NEWS

Proposal for amendment in Policy Guidelines for Uplinking/Downlinking of TV channels approved

Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to recast the existing "Policy Guidelines for Uplinking & Downlinking of TV channels". The amendments proposed in existing policy are based on an extensive consultation with TRAI & would to reflect the fast evolving electronic media landscape in the country.

New tax information exchange treaty ratified by the Swiss parliament

India and Switzerland will start exchanging information on tax- related matters from the next fiscal year after the new tax information exchange treaty has been ratified by the Swiss parliament.

Company Law Settlement Scheme, 2011 - Extended upto 15th December, 2011

In continuation of the Ministry's General Circulars No. 59/2011 dated 05.08.2011 and No. 60/2011 dated 10.08.2011, MCA has decided to extend the Company Law Settlement Scheme, 2011 upto 15th December, 2011.

Portugal's SC moved against termination of Salem's extradition

India has approached Portugal's Supreme Court challenging its High Court order, which had terminated the extradition of underworld don Abu Salem for breach of agreement by India by slapping charges that attract death penalty.

No arrest for offence under Custom and Excise Acts without warrants: SC

The Apex court has held that an excise officer has no authority to make an arrest without obtaining a warrant saying that an offence of evading tax under Custom and Excise Acts are bailable and cannot be equated with criminal offences.

Idea cellular dispute settled amongst Tatas and Birlas after having reach pact over dispute

Tata group and Aditya Birla group have reached an out-of-court settlement to resolve idea cellular dispute. Tata has reportedly withdrawn its plea for arbitration regarding its stake in idea against Birla group.

Draft National Policy on Electronics, 2011 Released by the Govt

Govt has released the draft National Policy on Electronics envisions creating a globally competitive Electronics Systems and Design Manufacturing (ESDM) industry including nano-electronics to meet the country`s needs and serve the international market.

Sample fingerprints collected without prior court's approval admissible as evidence: Del HC

Delhi HC has opined that the police are within their rights to take sample fingerprints and specimen handwriting of the accused without prior permission from the magistrate and it is admissible as evidence.

Repeated threats to commit suicide amounts to cruelty: SC

SC has held that the repeated threat to commit suicide is a ground of divorce as it amounts to cruelty saying when such a thing is repeated in the form of a sign or gesture, no spouse can live peacefully.

Divorced woman can retain married surname

In a legal opinion to the Mumbai regional passport office, additional solicitor general has clarified that the wife has a fundamental right under Article 21 of the constitution to use any name, including her married name, notwithstanding the fact that her marriage has been dissolved.

Government to Amend the Trade Union Act provisions relating process of registration

Government is working on bill amending the Trade Union Act, 1926 to ensure that decision on whether to grant registration to a trade union or not becomes time-bound, thus, making the process of registration of trade union more transparent.

Government to allow 100% in Single-Brand retail

Government is considering allowing foreign companies to completely own single brand retail stores in the country. At present , 51% foreign direct investment is allowed in single brand retail.

Blanket ban on the use and manufacture of plastic in Delhi in the next two months

Delhi government is considering imposition of the blanket ban on the use and manufacture of the plastic bags in the next two months. As per the draft notification issued by the govt, violators can face imprisonment upto five years and fine of upto Rs. one lakh or both.

Cabinet Approves New Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Bill, 2011

New Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Bill, 2011 striving to introduce better legislative environment for attracting investment and technology into the mining sector in terms of National Mineral Policy, 2008 has been approved by the cabinet.

Madras HC quashes Medical Council of India notification

The Madras High Court has quashed a Medical Council of India (MCI) notification and a rule in a prospectus providing reservation only to lower limbs locomotor disabled persons for admission to MBBS course. In the order disposing of a writ petition from an MBBS candidate, Justice D. Hariparanthaman said that the classification of the lower limbs locomotor disabled persons into two categories violated the Disabilities Act. It frustrated the reservation provided under Section 39 of the Act.

Goa Assembly unanimously passes Lokayukta Bill

The Goa legislative assembly has unanimously passed the Goa Lokayukta Bill, 2011 after carrying out necessary amendments as suggested by the central government amid applause by the members of the House and civil society present during the discussion and voting in the House.

For education loan, bank can't question fee charged by college, rules HC

Education loan includes the hostel fee in full, and a bank cannot question the quantum of the fee unless it suspects its authenticity, the Madras high court has ruled. Further, held that the bank could not question the rate charged by the college and it has only to see as to whether the amount claimed as loan was a bonafide one or not.

India, Afghanistan ink strategic treaty sign pacts

India and Afghanistan on 4th oct discussed the issue of terrorism threatening both nations and inked a strategic treaty on security and political cooperation.

• INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Russian Approve an inter-governmental deal on visa

Russia's lower house of Parliament has overwhelmingly voted to approve an inter-governmental deal on visa regime simplification that will benefit Indian citizens wanting to travel to this country for tourism or business purposes.

Nuclear deal: U.S. puts onus on India

Putting the onus on India, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday said the United States had made clear the steps New Delhi needed to take "to allow us to move forward" on implementation of bilateral civil nuclear deal.

Pakistan Chief Justice orders political parties to cut ties with criminal gangs

Chief Justice of Pakistan Supreme Court has issued a judgment urging political parties to stop financing criminal groups responsible for increased violence in the city of Karachi. In a judgment , CJ announced that militant groups have gained strength because of support from local political groups and urged the Pakistani government to help address the corruption saying that problem can only be solved through application of special means as well as requesting political leadership to eliminate militancy from their wings. The political face of the city has been taken hostage by militant groups of political parties.