-The Economic Times A high-level panel set up after last month's gang-rape case in Delhi may have made headlines for not recommending the death penalty for rapists, but it is triggering concerns across India Inc for advocating far-reaching changes in rules that govern sexual harassment in corporate workplaces. The panel headed by former Supreme Court chief justice JSVerma, in its report submitted to the government, has said employers must not attempt conciliation...

-The Indian Express The Planning Commission has criticised the Railways for failing to attract private sector participation in its multi-crore infrastructure projects and has called for overhauling its management to allow “relevant experts” to be part of its decision making process. In its comments to a recent Cabinet note moved by the Railways to promote participatory models for rail connectivity and capacity augmentation, the commission argued that for the past two years...

-The Indian Express At a recent seminar organised to review the progress made by Muslims since the 2006 Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee report was tabled, speakers debated on whether or not there’s been any positive change on the ground level. Three members of the panel — Justice Sachar, economist Abusaleh Shariff and academician T K Oomen — discussed with experts and politicians what had changed for Muslims in the last six years. Defending...

-The Hindu In a major boost to the country’s private vaccine manufacturing pharmaceutical companies, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that India’s national regulatory authority — Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) — and its affiliated institutions meet the prescribed international standards. India is a major vaccine producer with 12 major vaccine manufacturing facilities. These vaccines are used for the national and international market, reaching nearly 150 countries. Every second child...

-Outlook Talking ‘communal’ about FDI trivialises the secular cause If one adds up the number of MPs in the Lok Sabha belonging to political parties that have a stated position against FDI in retail trade, it will certainly be bigger than the number of MPs in favour of FDI. Actually, the figure goes well past the Lok Sabha majority mark of 272. Yet the resolution opposing FDI received only 218 votes...