-The Times of India MUMBAI: Eight years after the RTI Act was enacted, a reality check reveals that accessing information in most parts of the country is a long wait. While most states do not have enough commissioners and the pendency of appeals has only increased, in several other parts of India, the process of hearing appeals has become non-functional. RTI activist Sunil Ahya, who commissioned the survey by connecting with information...

-Outlook After a row over implementation of a expert committee report, the Centre has ruled out appointment of any more panel to study Western Ghats in an attempt to address concerns of the six states through which the ecologically-sensitive hills traverse. Environment Minister M Veerappa Moily said the states concerned should appoint committees respectively to assess the kind of activities that could be allowed in the tract. After the committees submit their...

-The Hindu     Educationists emphasise importance of public participation Chennai: The Right to Education (RTE) Act guarantees children a place in school but it requires political will and public participation in running schools and sensitive bureaucrats who understand the needs of children to make it effective, say education activists. At a discussion organised by The Hindu Centre for Politics and Public Policy here on Wednesday, eminent persons associated with children's education spoke of the...

-The Indian Express The law is clear on how to handle sexual harassment. But our most important institutions have been slow to catch up. The notification issued by the Supreme Court on November 26, 2013 does not address the issue raised by the young intern who has made a complaint that she was sexually harassed by a former judge. The 10 eminent members of the Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee will...

-The Hindu ‘Report goes against the provisions of Constitution' THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will convey to the Centre Kerala's objections to the Raghuram Rajan Committee report on evolving a composite development index of States, during his visit to New Delhi on Friday. The Chief Minister, who left for New Delhi via Bangalore on Thursday, will call on ailing Defence Minister A.K. Antony, hold political discussions with the Congress high command, and meet...