-The Business Standard Forms high-level inquiry committee to submit report in two weeks ICICI Bank today said it has constituted a high-level inquiry committee to probe allegations that it is one of the Indian banks that run a nationwide money laundering racket. The committee will submit its report within two weeks. "We are deeply concerned with the media reports. We want to assure our customers and all our other stakeholders that we are...

-Cobra Post A sting operation conducted by online magazine Cobrapost across various branches of private financial institutions has revealed how bank employees are accepting black money from customers to convert them into white money. Cobrapost claims that the nationwide operation shows how private banking and insurance affiliates launder money as part of standard procedures. The sting also shows that money laundering Services are openly being offered even to walk in customers who...

-Live Mint Attempt to broad-base direct benefits transfer plan may help shore up the Congress’s standing among rural population The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government plans to include its flagship rural job guarantee programme in the second phase of its ambitious direct benefits transfer (DBT) plan, under which beneficiaries of social welfare programmes will receive money directly in their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. The attempt to broad-base the cash transfer plan before several...

-The Times of India Nine Maoists, including rocket launcher Sadula Ramakrishna, who were granted the status of 'political prisoners' by a lower court in Kolkata, may soon be stripped of their privileges as the West Bengal government is set to challenge the order in the Supreme Court. Last week, the apex court stayed a Calcutta High Court order giving political prisoner status to Maoist leader Telugu Dipak, People's Committee against Police Atrocities...

-The Indian Express With the Union cabinet having approved the Right of Citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of their Grievances Bill, 2011 (hereafter referred to as the GR bill), Parliament has an opportunity to enact a law that would give citizens a way in which to hold government functionaries accountable. An effective GR act has the potential to transform the relationship between an ordinary Indian...