Police Reforms

An open letter to the Prime Minister on Police Reforms makes interesting reading. Here is another piece by an SSP on what ails the Indian police system.

New law for the elderly

The government is contemplating new measures to cater to the welfare of the elderly, the disabled and children. However, the proposed law has come under some criticism, especially for its provision for pension for the elderly.

Law for Displaced People

The NAC has recommended a new law for providing a better deal to displaced people.

Sikh riots and the role of the police

R.K. Raghavan analyses the institutional structure of the police which allows politicians to take control of the organisation during riot situations.

Draft Education Policy

Nivedita Menon defends the draft education policy against the criticism of the Left.

Domestic Violence Bill passed

The Lok Sabha has approved of the Domestic Violence Bill. Indira Jaising reviews the new legislation.

No quota in private unaided colleges

The Supreme Court's decision banning quotas for weaker sections in private unaided colleges has met political resistence.

Job Bill Passed by the Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha finally passed the Employment Guarantee Bill today.

V.P. Singh on new legislations

Former Prime Minister V.P. Singh writes about the importance of the Right to Information Act and the Employment Guarantee Bill, and also points to the lacunae in the latter.

Panchayat Courts

The government is proposing so set up panchayat courts at the village level. Such attempts have always raised questions about justice to women and dalits, since sexism and casteism is apparently more entrenched at such levels. The draft Bill for the same was recommended by the National Advisory Committee.

Law for slum dwellers

There is finally some political focus on long-term settlement of the question of people living in urban slums, with the left parties demanding a comprehensive law on the issue.

Unorganised sector Bills

Two new Bills have been proposed by the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector to cater to security and work conditions of people working in the unorganised sector.

Police Reforms - autonomy

An interesting opinion arguing for greater autonomy to the security forces.

Police reforms on the cards

The much needed police reforms have finally caught the attention of the government. Now the burden lies on the civil society to engage the government and contribute to the process.

One judiciary - no to sharia courts

The Law Minister responded in support of the anti-sharia court petition by saying that the Constitution recognises only one judicial system under the Supreme Court.

Rajya Sabha gives equal property rights to women

Hindu women were granted equal property rights through an amendment to the Hindu Succession Act passed by the Rajya Sabha today. It grants coparcenary rights to women. However, doubts have been raised about how far the Bill will actually go to secure gender equality. It remains to be seen whether the Lok Sabha passes theBill in its present form or incorporates amendments.

Sharia courts

The legality of the sharia courts and the fatwas issued by them has been challenged in the Supreme Court. the decision is bound to rake a political storm.

EGA and corruption

Aruna Roy and Nikhil Dey write about the problem of corruption in the context of the proposed Employment Guarantee Bill.

Anti-sikh riots - some hope for justice

The government today set up committees to look into the question of compensation and other issues to finally address the issue of justice that have dogged the riots that took place in 1984.

SC judgment on reservations in unaided educational institutions

The Supreme Court has disallowed any quota in unaided educational institutions.

Cummunal Violence Bill critiqued

Colin Gonsalves has questioned the utility of the draft Communal violence (Suppression) Bill.

Nanavati Commission Report

The Nanavati Commission Report on the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 indicts some Congress leaders, including ministers. It remains to be seen whether the government displays any political morality.

Fraud in Employment Guarantee Scheme

An honest District Collector found suspicious amount of money doled out and work being undertaken under the Employment Guarantee Scheme in Maharashtra. She ordered and enquiry and found enormous corruption. Soon she was transferred, which was later stayed. The incident becomes particularly important in light of the recent debate on administrative reforms and fixed tenures for senior bureaucrats.

Right to education not realised even in Kolkata

A recent report by the Pratichi Trust set up by Amartya Sen says that even in a city like Kolkata, the basic right to education for all children is far from being realised.

Kerala plans to empower police further

Kerala plans to pass legislation further empowering the police and expanding its preventive detention powers to deal with 'anti-social' elements.

SC decision on IMDT Act

Prashant Bhushan brilliantly critiques the Supreme Court's preposterous decision striking down the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act. Not only did the Court overstep its boundaries as a judicial body, it also made a mockery of sound legal principles with a fantastic interpretation.

Death Penalty

Yesterday was a sad day for anti-death penalty activists. Two sentences, one in the terrorist attack on the Parliament case, and another against a man who killed a woman to avenge unrequited love, were handed down today.

Sikh Riots Report - Ministers indicted

The government is still considering its options over the Nanavati Commission Report on the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. The report may deside the fate of two ministers in the government.