Demanding enactment of a strong anti-corruption law on the lines of Jan Lokpal Bill, social crusader Anna Hazare on Saturday threatened to go on an indefinite fast unto death at Jantar Mantar here from April 5 if the Prime Minister does not act decisively on his suggestion by March-end. “None from civil society consulted” Addressing a press conference here, Anna wondered how the government could pass the anti-corruption Bill without consulting anyone...

In further embarrassment to former Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan, Income Tax authorities on Saturday said they have unearthed black money in possession of three of his relatives during their investigation into allegations of amassment of wealth by them. "As far as Justice Balakrishnan is concerned, I cannot say anything. But as far as his relatives-- two sons-in-law and brother are concerned, we have found there is black money", director...

By stubbornly overruling the National Advisory Council, the government risks defeating its purpose as a body that speaks for the poor and the disadvantaged. HAS the Manmohan Singh government begun to regard the National Advisory Council (NAC) as an adversary who should be undermined? Going by their exchanges on key issues such as food security, wages under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), and the implementation of the Scheduled Tribes...

In an attempt to deal with the use of black money in elections, the maximum poll expenditure for parliamentary constituencies has been increased to Rs 40 lakh and to Rs 16 lakh for assembly constituencies. Expenditure limit varies according to the size of states. On Wednesday, law ministry issued a notification amending the Conduct of Election Rules. At present, in big states, the upper spending limit in parliamentary constituency is Rs...

The Union law department has launched an exercise to tone down the law on matrimonial cruelty, including cases of dowry harassment. Effectively, dowry harassment may soon become a bailable offence. To protect social fibre of family life and check alleged misuse of the law, the department is contemplating changes in Section 498-A of the IPC that defines the offense of matrimonial cruelty. Section 498-A was inserted into the IPC by an amendment...