<p>Order of the Supreme Court in the matter of M K Ranjitsinh & Others Vs Union of India & Others dated 21/03/2024. The matter related to protection of Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and Lesser Florican.</p>
Though the Union Budget was hailed as being farmer-friendly, a closer scrutiny reveals that it gives much less to villagers and the weaker sections of society than what appears at first glance. The media was quick to highlight the loan waiver for small farmers but it chose to ignore the fact that the budget for the crucial rural employment guarantee scheme had not been raised to any significant extent despite its expansion from 330 to 596 districts. (April 2008)
<font class="UCASE"><b>July 10, 2006:</b></font> Industrialist Ratan Tata writes to Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram recommending setting up of a site remediation fund. "Tatas would be willing to spearhead and contribute to such an exercise
With the long awaited approval of the post-Parthasarathy Committee common guidelines for watershed development finally being given in February 2008, it is time now to push hard for actualising the suggested radical reforms at the cutting edge level of implementation.
India is considering an ambitious plan to link the majority of its major river basins through a vast network of canals, diverting billions of litres from the country's more water-rich river basins to
How does one treat a malnourished child? Common sense suggests a proper meal. Not good enough, says the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development. Its prescription is supplying an 80-g
the central government has thwarted a Delhi government plan to control toxic emissions from diesel vehicles in the capital. In a letter to Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, Union Ministry of
The government is planning to issue an advisory to drug companies if they do not pass on the excise duty benefit to the consumer. The advisory may be in the form of guidelines issued to companies that they must reduce drug prices by 4-5%, taking into account the Budget proposals. Significantly, the guidelines would cover the entire industry, including the non-scheduled drugs (outside government control). The Budget has slashed excise duty on drugs from 16% to 8%, while the Cenvat has gone down by 2% to 14%. The abatement available on maximum retail price on payment of excise duty on medicines has been reduced from 42.5% to 35.5%. Prices of medicines, including the 74 scheduled drugs, under DPCO (drug price control order) 1995 should go down by 4-5%, according to the initial estimates worked out by the government. "We can ask the industry to reduce prices as there is lack of clarity amongst the drug companies on the exact quantum of decrease,' sources said. This is one of the options being considered by the government. It may also try to meet the industry associations before issuing some sort of a directive on the prices. However, a final view on the matter will be taken by the chemicals minister, Ram Vilas Paswan over the next few days. Paswan has already expressed hope after the Budget that all drug producers will pass on the excise duty benefit to the consumer. Drug regulator, NPPA is also working out the exact reduction in the prices of scheduled drugs, and is expected to issue the notification soon. Drug companies are still working out the net impact of the excise duty reduction. Some companies including Zydus Cadila have revised prices of scheduled medicines with effect from March 1. Ranbaxy said most of its drugs are manufactured in the excise-free zones, so there would be no impact of Budget proposals.
When the National Advisory Council (NAC) was preparing the draft legislation on the right to employment, it had, in the words of one of its key members, Jean Dreze, to
This document is limited to rehabilitation of oustees of projects in rural areas. The idea, initially was to prepare a draft enactment of Development Planning, Minimum Displacement and Just Rehabilitation. However, considering the efforts made by the relevant groups and movements as well as the National Rehabilitation Policies of the government in 2003 and 2006, it was decided to call this document National Policy only.
Union Budget 2008-2009.
