-The Indian Express   The Lok Sabha Secretariat has refused to disclose action taken by Speaker Meira Kumar on the objections raised by Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj to granting one-year extension to Secretary General T K Vishwanathan. In its response to RTI activist Subhash Agrawal, the LS Secretariat has said: “Communications/Consultation by Honourable Speaker with the functionaries of the House in the discharge of constitutional duties, which, if disclosed, may cause breach...

It has to be but a means to development, not an end in itself Is India doing marvellously well, or is it failing terribly? Depending on whom you speak to, you could pick up either of those answers with some frequency. One story, very popular among a minority but a large enough group—of Indians who are doing very well (and among the media that cater largely to them)—runs something like...

-The Telegraph   The Supreme Court today described as “disturbing” a claim that 162 of the 543 Lok Sabha members face criminal cases, and issued notices to the central and state governments on a petition seeking to have these cases fast-tracked. The public interest litigation wants speedy trials of all accused lawmakers — MPs and state legislators — so that they “can clear their name (or) face the consequences of past criminal acts”. “Your...

-The Hindu   Writes to Manmohan Singh seeking more teeth to council Press Council Chairman Markandey Katju has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh suggesting that the electronic media be brought under its purview. He has also sought “more teeth” to the council. “I have written to the PM that the electronic media should be brought under the Press Council and it should be called Media Council and we should be given more teeth....

Team Anna has deviated from goal of fighting corruption Waterman Rajendra Singh has accused Team Anna of straying from its goal of fighting corruption and turning into a “bunch of power brokers.” The success with the public during the Delhi fast of social activist Anna Hazare made them give up all pretensions to democratic functioning while at collective action, he charged. Mr. Singh, along with another social activist P.V. Rajagopal, recently quit...