Devas Multimedia has approached the International Court of Arbitration (ICA) seeking restoration of its contract with Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) commercial arm Antrix which was terminated in February after allegations of wrongdoing emerged over the allocation of S-band spectrum. In February, the UPA government scrapped the controversial contract between Antrix Corporation and Bangalore-based Devas Multimedia for the lease of space segment in S-band. The government had said that it could...

-The Times of India   The Supreme Court may have cleared the Lafarge mining case, but it has also ordered the setting up of an independent clearance authority. The move is a boost to Union minister Jairam Ramesh's plans to legislate an autonomous National Environment Appraisal and Monitoring Authority. Taking the cue from the suggestions made by the environment ministry to strengthen the clearance process, the apex court backed the creation of...

As we close in on 20 years of Manmohanomics, it's worth remembering one chant the chattering classes uttered, first with pride, later to console themselves. “Whatever you say, we have the most honest man in Dr. Manmohan Singh. And no one can speak a word against him.” It's less heard now — those affections having been transferred to other punters in the honesty sweepstakes. But growing numbers do say this...

-The Economic Times   A group of ministers formed to approve the draft mining Bill, has agreed to earmark 100% of the royalty paid by major mineral mining companies , to compensate people displaced by such projects. The panel, chaired by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee , which met on Thursday , also agreed to earmark 26% of the profit made by coal mining companies, in favour of people directly affected ,...

-The Telegraph   Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leader and RTI activist Akhil Gogoi was today granted bail by Gauhati High Court in connection with the case filed by Assam police, alleging his involvement in the June 22 violence at Dispur Last Gate. A single bench of Justice Anima Hazarika granted bail after the police submitted the case diary before the court. Akhil’s lawyer Santanu Borthakur said, “The court, after going through...