In the past, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee had maintained “there are no Maoists in West Bengal” and that the situation in Jangalmahal region in the State was the result of “infighting among the Marxists,” but the Chief Minister on Saturday lashed out at the rebels, without naming them outright, labelling them “supari killers,” “jungle mafia” and “cowardly goons hiding in the Forests.” A little over a year ago, at a...

-The Hindu   The Group of Ministers (GoM) meant to consider measures to tackle corruption has directed the Ministry of Law to formulate concrete proposals on Constitutional and statutory amendments needed to consider feasibility of State funding of elections. The GoM headed by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is mandated to look at a range of policy initiatives and action required to address corruption. In its first report in September, the GoM had...

-The Telegraph   Forest officials at Manas National Park will send samples of body parts suspected to be that of a rhino to the Forensic Science Laboratory. The body parts were spotted yesterday near Rupahi camp of Bhuyanpara range of the national park when forest staff were on patrol duty. The highly decomposed carcass had been lying at the spot for more than two weeks. “Samples have been collected. These are suspected to be that...

-Express News Service   The Group of Ministers on Corruption has asked the Law Ministry to formulate "concrete proposals" on constitutional and statutory amendments that would be required to introduce state funding of elections. According to a government statement, the Law Ministry had made a presentation to the Group of Ministers on this subject on September 30. After that the ministerial group had directed the ministry to formulate specific proposals, excluding such areas where...

-The Hindu   The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has refused to grant a clearance to Lavasa's ambitious lake city project in the hills near Pune, and it's putting the blame on the shoulders of the Maharashtra government. In its order, dated October 13, MoEF notes that in its June order and affidavit to the Bombay High Court, it was willing to clear Lavasa's first phase, subject to five preconditions. Lavasa...