Despite criticism of the appointment process, and pendency , the Supreme Court appears to enjoy public confidence like no other institution As the Supreme Court of India approaches its final week of hearings for the year, a look back shows it has dominated the national consciousness by ruling on myriad issues. The court was conceived by the framers of the constitution to deal mainly with fundamental questions of law. But India’s top...

-The Hindu   At this point, when there is an overflow of emotions on the Mullaperiyar dam issue, the priority cannot be going into the merits of the arguments pressed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Suffice it to note that Kerala fears for the safety of the 116-year-old dam situated in Idukki district and wants a new dam to be built in its place. Tamil Nadu's stand is that the dam, which...

A fresh wave of farmer suicides has been reported in several states, pushing families deeper into poverty. A coalition of farm-sector organisations said it had identified over 700 cases this year, but state government officials said they were still verifying the incidents. “Vidarbha in Maharashtra has emerged as the epicentre of farmer suicides again. There have been 680 suicides in just 6 districts in 2011,” said Kishor Tiwari of Vidarbha Jan...

-PTI   With the Mullaperiyar dam issue continuing to dominate Kerala's agenda, state Advocate General K P Dhandpani is today expected to explain to the cabinet his position on the controversy generated by some submissions made by him in the high court on the matter.  As campaigns are on in full swing in Idukki district where the dam is located, CPI(M) veteran V S Achuthanandan is holding a one-day fast at Vandiperiyar, pledging...

Decision comes after Kerala raises fears about safety After Kerala raised apprehensions about the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam after recent mild tremors in the area, the Empowered Committee decided on Monday to send two technical members to inspect the dam before finalising its report. The former Chief Justice of India, A.S. Anand, is heading the committee. Its members are Justice K.T. Thomas, a retired Supreme Court judge representing Kerala; Justice A.R....