-The Indian Express The CPM has demanded that the maximum punishment in cases of “aggravated sexual assault” and “rape” be enhanced to rigorous life imprisonment till death and suggested that laws related to sexual assault be made “gender specific”. The party is not in favour of death penalty as it feels existing laws provide for capital punishment in “rarest of the rare” cases of gangrape and murder like the Delhi incident. In...

-The Times of India Women's groups have criticised RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's view on rape in "India" and "Bharat" for being regressive. But data shows that not only are Bhagwat's views regressive, they're also plain wrong. While the National Crime Records Bureau does not split registered cases of sexual assault by rural and urban areas, Mrinal Satish, an associate professor of law at Delhi's National Law University, used court data to find...

-Outlook Koraput (Odisha): Inquiry conducted by the administration has shown serious irregularities in implementing MGNREGA at Lamtapur block in Odisha's Koraput district, officials said today. Projects worth several lakhs of rupees have been started at various panchayats of the block under the MGNREGA without any work order being issued. "It was found during inquiry that without any work order and funds several works have been executed at the block under the MGNREGA. Work...

-Down to Earth Enforcement and strengthening of laws that protect land rights of tribals and forest dwellers recommended Disputes over land rights, which have turned violent in recent years with communities taking on authorities, are set to rise India. Land requirement for industrial projects in India are set to be triple in the next 15 years, and with this conflicts over land acquisition are going to increase, according to a new study. Currently,...

-The Times of India From now, highway development agencies won't have to apply separately for mining of soil/ earth for such works. As per new norms devised by the environment and forests ministry (MoEF), the highways ministry or any other agency such as NHAI can apply for clearance for getting soil/earth in one go when they apply for environment clearance. The "workable" decision was taken after highways ministry received support from law...