Both the Houses of AP Legislature reject the State Reorganisation Bill; Congress says, Bill to be brought before Parliament

Both the houses of the Andhra Pradesh Legislature today rejected the State Reorganization Bill. A resolution was passed by voice vote before both the houses adjourned sine die. 

 A total 9 thousand 72 amendments have been proposed by members and all of them made part of the proceedings.

 Out of total 25 sittings, meaningful discussion could be taken place for only 13 days while 86 members took part in it and almost rest of all in the 294-member house submitted their written speeches.

Government Decides to Keep in Abeyance the Decision to Change the Procedure for Pan Allotment Till Further Orders

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has decided to keep in abeyance the decision to change the procedure for PAN allotment till further orders. Accordingly, the operation of Circular No. 11 dated 16.01.2014 issued to PAN service providers has been directed to be put on hold till further orders. In the meantime, the old procedure of PAN application and allotment shall continue. 

Courtesy : PIB

Amendments in the Central List of Other Backward Classes for 13 States and three Union Territories

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for making amendments in the Central List of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in respect of 13 States (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal) and three Union Territories (Chandigarh, Delhi and Puducherry) by way of inclusion / correction / deletion of castes/communities according to  advices received from the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). The amendments will notify 115 changes recommended by the NCBC.

The proposed changes will enable persons belonging to these castes/communities to avail benefits of reservation in government services and posts as well as in central educational institutions according to existing policy. They will also become eligible for benefit under various welfare schemes, scholarships, etc. being administered by the Central Government, which are at present available to persons belonging to the OBCs.

Background:

The NCBC was set up in pursuance to the Supreme Court judgement in the Indira Sawhney case.   As per the NCBC Act 1993, Section 9 ("Functions of the Commission") states that:-

        i.            The Commission shall examine requests for inclusion of any class of citizens as a backward class in the lists and hear complaints of over-inclusion or under-inclusion of any backward class in such lists and tender such advice to the Central Government as it deems appropriate and;

     ii.            The advice of the Commission shall ordinarily be binding upon the Central Government."

The NCBC has been tendering advice to the Central Government from time to time. A total of 30 Notifications have been issued so far and till date, a total of 2343 "entries" (an "entry" means a caste, including its synonyms, sub-castes etc.) have been notified in the Central list of OBCs for 24 States and six Union Territories. The last such notification was issued on 08.12.2011. Since then, many more advices for inclusion/ deletion of castes/ communities and correction in the existing list of OBCs, have been received from the NCBC.

Uniform terms of appointment and conditions of service of chairpersons/members of tribunals/quasi-judicial bodies

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval on the recommendations of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on uniformity of tenure, retirement age, re-appointment, pension, salary and allowances including medical facilities, leave and travelling allowances for chairpersons/members of Tribunals and other quasi-judicial bodies set up for through central legislations.

The recommendations of the GoM, as accepted by the Cabinet, will have prospective effect through an overarching legislation.

Background:

           

            In order to expedite delivery of justice and make available domain expertise in adjudication, the Government has set up various Tribunals under Central Acts, The terms of appointment and conditions of service of chairpersons and members of these Tribunals are different in many cases. The Government, constituted a GOM aimed at providing uniformity across all Central Tribunals. The Supreme Court has also observed the need for such uniformity.

Approval of Bangalore Metro Rail Project Phase-2

The Cabinet has approved the Bangalore Metro Rail Project Phase-2.  This project will improve the public transport system in the city of Bangalore and provide the much needed additional public transport infrastructure for the city. 

The total completion cost of the project is estimated at Rs.26,405.14 crore at the price levels of 2011-12 with price escalation of 5 percent per annum (including escalation and Central taxes and excluding State taxes and duties).

In the total project cost, the Government of India’s (GoI) share will be Rs.5281 crore and the Government of Karnataka’s (GoK) share will be Rs.8983 crore.  The share of GoK includes a Grant of Rs.1689.90 crore.  The balance amount of Rs.12,141.14 crore will be raised through Senior Debt.

                  The project will be executed by the existing Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of GoI and GoK having 50:50 equity of each, that is Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.  The project is scheduled to be completed in five years from the date of start of work.

Courtesy : PIB

New CPMG to Maharastra Circle

Shri Pradipta Ku. Bisoi, PMG, Berhampur Region, Berhampur has been posted as Chief PMG, Maharastra Circle, Mumbai on promotion. 

Procedure for handling Court / Consumer Forum cases relating to Savings Bank / Certificate