-The Indian Express The central empowered committee of the Supreme Court has asked the Rajasthan government to immediately stop mining activities allowed around Sariska in "blatant violation" of the court's orders and name the officers responsible so that "appropriate action" can be taken against them. The decision to allow mining activities within one kilometre of the Sariska tiger reserve and Jamua Ramgarh sanctuary was taken at a meeting chaired by then acting...

-Mumbai Mirror Second punch: Govt issues circular telling officials to hold back any files that they think are not in public interest. Outraged Right to Information (RTI) activists have railed at two government notifications, issued in the last two weeks, which they say seek to dilute the efficacy of the RTI Act. Some advocates of transparency and the regime of accountability have termed the orders "illegal" and have written letters of protest...

-The Hindustan Times The environment ministry has allowed field trials of two varieties of genetically modified (GM) brinjal and mustard, almost 18 months after the previous government ordered a freeze on such tests. In a reply to an RTI query early October, the ministry said on August 21, it permitted the Delhi University to hold trials for a mustard variety and Maharashtra-based Bejo Seeds Pvt Ltd to test Bt brinjal. The decision does...

-The Times of India KOLHAPUR (Maharashtra): The state general administration department has issued a notice asking all government sections not to entertain applications under the Right to Information (RTI) Act if they do not constitute "public interest". The order, coming from an administration under President's Rule, seeks to prevent use of the information to settle personal disputes and is being seen as a relief, especially by government officers who were often targeted...

-Livemint The petition challenged NPPA's decision of withdrawing its internal guideline to set prices of non-essential drugs New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a petition challenging a decision by the country's drug price regulator to withdraw its internal guideline to set prices of non-essential drugs. Earlier this year, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) issued a guideline empowering itself to cap the prices of 108 non-essential drugs, attracting...