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Delhi High Court Questions Delhi Government Over Delay in Action on CAG Reports The Delhi High Court has raised serious concerns about the Delhi Government's handling of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports, questioning its motives for delaying the process. The remarks came during a hearing involving a petition filed by BJP MLAs seeking the tabling of 14 CAG reports in the Delhi Legislative Assembly. Let’s delve into the key issues, the significance of CAG, and why this matter has become a topic of public interest. What is CAG and Its Role? The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is a constitutional authority responsible for auditing all receipts and expenditures of the government, including public sector enterprises. Its reports hold the government accountable for the financial and operational efficiency of its departments. CAG reports are presented to the legislative assemblies, where they serve as a critical tool for legislators to debate and scruti...

CCPA Directs Ola to Provide Consumer Choice for Refunds and Ensures Billing Transparency The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)  has issued a directive to Ola , the ride-hailing giant, to revamp its refund policy and ensure transparency in its billing for auto rides. This regulatory action is aimed at protecting consumer rights and enhancing service transparency. Consumer-Friendly Refund Mechanism   Under the CCPA’s directive , Ola is now required to offer customers the option to select their preferred refund method. Previously, refunds were provided solely in the form of coupons for future rides, which the CCPA found to be a potential infringement on consumer rights. The new system allows consumers to choose between refunds to their bank accounts  or coupon codes , empowering them with more control over their refunds. CCPA's Intervention on Refund Policy   This intervention by the CCPA, led by Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare , followed complaints ...

Haryana Judiciary Paper Leak: Delhi Court Convicts 3, Acquits 6 In a significant development, the Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi has convicted three individuals, including the former Registrar (Recruitment) of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, in the 2017 Haryana Civil Service (Judicial Branch) examination paper leak case.  Conviction Details The convicted individuals are Dr. Balwinder Kumar Sharma, the former Registrar, and two aspirants, Sunita and Sushila. Dr. Sharma and Sunita received a sentence of five years in prison. Additionally, Sharma was fined ₹1,50,000, while Sunita faced a fine of ₹60,000. Sushila was released based on the period already served but was fined ₹10,000. Charges and Offenses The court found Dr. Sharma and Sunita guilty under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant), 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen property) of the IPC, and Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act). Sushila was convicted un...

Muslim Scholars and Clerics Demand Clarity from  Secular Parties on Waqf (Amendment) Bill In a critical political move, Muslim scholars, clerics, and intellectuals have called upon "secular political parties" to clarify their stance on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which has recently been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. This demand arises ahead of key Assembly elections in states such as Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand, marking the first major elections since the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Concerns Over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, once passed, will be known as the United Waqf Act Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act (UMEED). The Muslim community has expressed significant concerns over this bill, particularly regarding the potential reduction of power for Waqf Boards. A meeting at Islam Gymkhana, hosted by Tareek-e-Awkaf and the All India Ulema Board, saw key figures such as Shabbir Ansari, Yusuf Abraha...

Supreme Court Dismisses L&T Plea Over Sharavathi Tendering Process In a recent development, the Supreme Court has rejected the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T), a prominent infrastructure company, challenging the tendering process for the prestigious Sharavathi Pumped Storage project. The decision came on Monday, following a thorough consideration by the bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. Background and Decision The apex court stated, "We are not inclined to entertain the Special Leave Petition under Article 136 of the Constitution of India," thereby dismissing L&T's plea. L&T had contested the order of the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice Krishna S Dixit of the Karnataka High Court. However, their appeal was dismissed by the Supreme Court. Implications for the Sharavathi Project The Sharavathi pumped storage project, a significant hydroelectric initiative, has been the subjec...

Supreme Court Rejects Petitions for 100% Verification of EVM Votes with VVPAT Slips In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has dismissed all petitions seeking 100% verification of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) votes with their Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips. Additionally, the court declined the prayer to revert to the paper ballot voting system, asserting the credibility and safety of the current electoral process. Directions by the Supreme Court The apex court issued two crucial directions in light of the petitions. Firstly, it mandated the sealing of the Symbol Loading Unit (SLU) in containers after the completion of the symbol loading process, to be stored securely for a minimum of 45 days. Secondly, it ruled that the burnt memory in the microcontroller EVM shall be subject to verification by a team of engineers post the declaration of results, upon request by candidates within seven days. The expenses for such verification are to be borne by the c...