The government is trying to simplify the process of adopting children so that it can be wrapped up in two to three months, officials said. Adoptions now often take more than a year to complete, the red tape and delays scaring off many couples. A committee formed by the women and child development ministry is drafting amendments to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act to streamline adoption procedures, introduce time-bound approvals...

-The Indian Express The Supreme Court on Friday sought response from the Centre, Rajasthan and Haryana governments on allegations that large scale illegal mining and depletion of forest cover was taking place in the two states. A Bench of Justices K S Radhakrishnan and J S Khehar issued notice on an application moved by NGO, Society for Awareness and Development, which alleged that the states were wilfully violating the apex court's earlier...

-IANS The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Rajasthan government on a petition alleging that despite a ban, illegal mining was continuing in the state's Alwar district. An apex court vacation bench of Justice S Radhakrishnan and Justice J S Khehar issued notice on the petition of NGO Society for Awareness and Development, which said that despite the 2005 and 2010 bans, illegal mining was going on unabated in 11...

Finance ministry asks automobile sector to submit a report on the impact of such a move within a week’s time The government appears to have made up its mind to increase excise duty on diesel cars to neutralize the advantage of the state subsidy that has prompted motorists to increasingly favour vehicles powered by the fuel that’s Rs.30 a litre cheaper at the pump than petrol. Indications that the government is leaning...

WHO panel proposed treaty requires all governments to share cost   India supports a proposed legally binding global instrument that requires all governments to share the cost of research and development (R&D). The treaty, recommended by a World Health Organisation panel, will boost access to countries least able to pay for medical innovations but need it most. This would also delink profits from medical discoveries. The “Consultative Expert Working Group on Research and...