-The Hindu Seeks A-G’s assistance in clarifying issues raised by PIL The Supreme Court will examine the validity of the notification the Centre issued on September 20 of its decision to allow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail. On Friday, a Bench of Justices R.M. Lodha and Anil R. Dave, without issuing notice, sought Attorney-General G.E. Vahanvati’s assistance in clarifying certain issues, and directed advocate M.L. Sharma, who has challenged the...

-The Hindu In its attempt to demonstrate to foreign capital that it is committed to reform, UPA II has launched on what many consider a liberalisation blitz. A principal feature of the new measures is the greater space and influence being afforded to foreign investors in sectors varying from retail and civil aviation to insurance and pensions. Multiple arguments have been put out by official spokespersons to justify the new measures:...

-Outlook Fresh notices will be issued to eye-witnesses of the Pathribal fake encounter killing to appear for recording their statements in General Court Martial proceedings at Nagrota-based 16 Corps headquarters, army said tonight. "Fresh summons giving reasonable time to the witnesses to report for recording of summary of evidence will be issued so that they can appear for recording evidence in a reasonable time FRAme," an army spokesman said. Reacting to media reports...

-Tehelka Policy flaw lets private players jack up prices and siphon off massive government subsidies. TO DROUGHTS and abject poverty, farmers can add another crisis: sky-rocketing fertiliser prices. The issue has prompted eight chief ministers of large states to seek the intervention of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers (MoCF) in the matter. Consider, for example, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and muriate of potash (MoP), two fertilisers that used to have massive demand...

-The Times of India The Supreme Court has sought clarification on legal sanctity behind the Union government's policy decision to allow FDI in retail sector. The apex court said that policy decisions are in the sole domain of the government, but kept a PIL for hearing on October 12 as the petitioner argued that the recent FDI policy decision was not in consonance with RBI-FRAmed regulations under FEMA. The SC, however, refused to...