-The Times of India NEW DELHI: Faced with intense pressure from Rahul Gandhi, the UPA government is likely to approach the President for his consent for the promulgation of ordinances on anti-corruption legislations. Sources in the Congress said the government is likely to take up the matter with the President shortly. Rahul himself indicated that the ordinance route was on. "These bills were in national interest and we felt the opposition would help...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: The CBI has registered five cases into alleged swindling of funds from the centrally sponsored Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGA) in Uttar Pradesh during the rule of Mayawati-led BSP. CBI sources said cases of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery under Indian Penal Code and misuse of officials position under the Prevention of Corruption Act have been registered regarding alleged financial irregularities in Gonda, Balrampur,...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: At the very fag end of the forgettable existence of the 15th Lok Sabha, Parliament on Friday passed the Whistleblower Protection Bill. The Rajya Sabha cleared this crucial anti-corruption law a good two years after it was passed by the Lok Sabha. The delay was not because the elders brought some new wisdom to the proposed law. In fact, the Bill, seeking to ensure the safety...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation will soon start a probe into alleged misappropriation of funds under MNREGA in seven districts of Uttar Pradesh. The agency will probe alleged financial irregularities and abuse of power in implementation of the centrally-sponsored rural employment scheme in the state during 2007-10 in seven districts, CBI sources said. The decision comes after the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court directed...

-Reuters One hundred and thirty-four journalists and media support staff were killed while on reporting assignments last year, with India fourth on the list of countries with the most number of deaths, the London-based International News Safety Institute (INSI) said on Tuesday. Most of those killed were targeted deliberately. Of these, 65 died covering armed conflicts - primarily in Syria, where 20 were killed, and Iraq, where the death total was 16 -...