-The Hindu The Comptroller and Auditor-General’s report on the allocation of coal blocks, reviews how it took seven-and-half years to move the allocation procedure for captive coal blocks from a discretionary procedure to competitive bidding that was demonstrably transparent. It turns out that the process began within six weeks of UPA-I coming to power in 2004. Ironically, the amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act rules for Auction...
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A misdirected audit
-The Indian Express When the Delhi Development Authority had the sole right to build houses in the capital, it was unable to meet the demand from an expanding population. If private builders stepped in to build where the DDA was not doing so, is it a fair calculation to say that the profit they could make was a loss to the government exchequer? The CAG’s estimate of loss to the government...
More »10 facts on Rs 1.86 lakh crore 'Coalgate' loss
-Yahoo.com The Comptroller and Auditor General on Friday tabled three reports -- on power, coal and airports -- in Parliament, almost indicting the UPA government for allegedly 'causing' a loss of more than Rs 1.86 lakh crore to the exchequer. The report has also lambasted the government for favouring private companies who benefitted from such 'largesse', giving the opposition parties a lot of fodder to them to hit out at the government...
More »Disturbing trends in judicial activism-TR Andhyarujina
-The Hindu Public Interest Litigation is a good thing when it is used to enforce the rights of the disadvantaged. But it has now been diluted to interfere with the power of the government to take decisions on a range of policy matters Judicial activism is not an easy concept to define. It means different things to different persons. Critics denounce judicial decisions as activist when they do not agree with them....
More »Dry spell impedes sowing of spices- PK Krishnakumar
-The Economic Times KOCHI: An extensive dry spell has affected the sowing of chilli, turmeric, cardamom and pepper. Rains have been weak this season in southern states, where the spices are mostly grown. Chilli acreage has fallen by over 40% in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, which account for a majority of the spice cultivated in the country. Chilli farmers are finding cotton a better option as it needs less moisture. Interestingly, most growers...
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