logo
Plea to implement Right to Public Services Act disposed of

Plea to implement Right to Public Services Act disposed of

The Hindu2 days ago
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court disposed of a public interest litigation petition that sought a direction to the State to implement the Right to Public Services Act in Tamil Nadu to ensure efficient and time bound delivery of public services.
The court was hearing the petition filed in 2021 by K. Gurunathan. The petitioner had sought a direction to the State government to implement the Right to Public Services Act in Tamil Nadu to reduce corruption, increase transparency and public accountability.
The petitioner submitted that the Right to Public Services Act had been passed in Rajasthan, Kerala and Gujarat. However, no such Act has been passed in Tamil Nadu.
The State submitted that as per a G.O. issued in 2025 by the Human Resources Management Department, the grievance petitions submitted by the people will be disposed of in 30 days. In the event of submitting any petition, it will be considered and decided by the authorities concerned within the time limit as prescribed in the G.O., it was submitted.
A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and G. Arul Murugan took into account the submission made by the State. The court disposed of the petition.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NoC poser to construction near monuments
NoC poser to construction near monuments

New Indian Express

time40 minutes ago

  • New Indian Express

NoC poser to construction near monuments

NEW DELHI: The National Monument Authority (NMA) has issued strict directions to all states and Union Territories (UTs) prohibiting any unauthorised construction or development within the vicinity of centrally protected monuments unless prior approval has been obtained from the designated Competent Authority (CA). In a letter addressed to all Principal Secretaries of Urban Development Departments, the NMA underlined that no construction must be permitted in either the prohibited (0–100 metres) or regulated (101–300 metres) zones around monuments without a valid No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the CA. These competentauthorities are senior officials designated by the Centre in each state or UT to oversee compliance with heritage protection laws. The directive stems from increasing concern over encroachments and illegal constructions near India's 3,697 centrally protected monuments. The warning comes in the wake of a recent Karnataka High Court order, which restrained the state from allowing any development near protected sites without statutory clearance. The case involved a petition seeking permission to construct a residential house just 64 metres from the Mangala Devi Temple, a centrally protected monument. The site fell squarely within the prohibited zone under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010—commonly referred to as the AMASR Act. The High Court directed the Karnataka Urban Development Department to issue a circular barring such permissions. Under the AMASR Act, any area within 100 metres of a centrally protected monument is considered a prohibited area—where no construction, repair, or development is allowed under any circumstance. The adjoining regulated area, extending up to 300 metres, requires mandatory clearance from the NMA via the CA.

Parliament Watch: Highlights of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Monday August 4
Parliament Watch: Highlights of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Monday August 4

The Hindu

time2 hours ago

  • The Hindu

Parliament Watch: Highlights of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Monday August 4

Monday (August 4, 2025) in Parliament was no better than the previous days. While the Rajya Sabha was adjourned early following the death of its member and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren. Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha attempted to function, but Opposition members did not stop protesting in the House. When it was reconvened at 2 p.m. following the morning chaos, officiating Chair Jagdambika Pal requested the members to allow a discussion on the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 which he said was brought by the government with the aim of bidding for the 2036 Olympics. The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on July 23 but the House was adjourned soon after and a discussion was not held. This Bill seeks to regulate the various sports administrators in India. It constitutes a National Sports Board (NSB) which will oversee all sports federations, including India's richest sports body – the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Two prominent sports body which have opposed the Bill are BCCI and Indian Olympic Association (IOA), citing curtailing of autonomy. According to the Bill, the National Sports Board or NSB will have power to recognise, suspend or cancel registrations of sports organisations. It will also collaborate with international and national sports bodies to ensure compliance with the international standards, protection of the rights of athletes and support personnel. The board can suspend or cancel recognition of a sports body if its international recognition is suspended/cancelled, if it violates any part of this Act, if it has failed to hold elections, publish its annual audited accounts for misused, misapplied, or misappropriated any public funds. No sports organisation will be recognised unless it is a registered society, an incorporated not-for-profit company or a registered trust. The Centre is empowered to appoint officers and employees to discharge NSB's functions. The Bill also says that any sports organisation seeking to use the word 'India' or 'Indian' or 'National' or any national insignia or symbols in any language in its registered name, operating name, logo, or otherwise must obtain a no-objection certification by the Centre. Not everyone is on board with the Bill, though. In October last year, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P.T. Usha had first raised concerns over the Bill citing government infringing on the IOA's independence. She had stated that the NSB may 'lead to a conflict between the government and international sports governance bodies, particularly the IOC, which has previously suspended many National Olympic committees for excessive governmental interference'. We wait and watch if the Lower House will hold a discussion on this Bill today. Follow live updates of August 5 proceedings in Parliament here. Until next time.

Best of BS Opinion: Promises of big reforms, failed talks, and new ideas
Best of BS Opinion: Promises of big reforms, failed talks, and new ideas

Business Standard

time3 hours ago

  • Business Standard

Best of BS Opinion: Promises of big reforms, failed talks, and new ideas

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 12th Independence Day address laid out fresh economic and security priorities. He announced a task force to streamline regulations, continuing efforts to scrap outdated rules. On taxation, he promised GST reforms with two main slabs of 5 and 18 per cent, plus a 40 per cent rate for sin goods. While this may ease compliance, concerns remain over revenue, notes our first editorial. On security, he launched Mission Sudarshan Chakra, an indigenous defence shield, and a demography mission to tackle illegal migration in border regions, underscoring both immediate and long-term goals. Meanwhile, the Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ended without progress. Trump failed to secure even a ceasefire in Ukraine and seemed to back Russia's demand that Kyiv cede occupied territory. The outcome bolstered Putin's stature while leaving Ukraine exposed as doubts rise over US support, highlights our second editorial. For President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the failed summit casts a shadow on his upcoming White House meeting and raises questions about Washington's reliability in conflicts worldwide, including Taiwan, with implications for countries like India. And back home, the GST debate has resurfaced. Ajay Shah, Vijay Kelkar and Arbind Modi write that while Modi's plan reduces seven slabs to two plus a sin tax, it falls short of the 'perfect GST' — a single low rate with full input tax credit. Restricted credit burdens MSMEs, while larger firms gain. A single 12 per cent rate with direct Union-State sharing could simplify compliance and raise revenues by 1.4 per cent of GDP. They also call for redesigning IGST and including petroleum, electricity, gold, and luxury goods. India's soybean sector, notes Surinder Sud, faces stagnation with output stuck at 12.5 million tonnes. Farmers are shifting crops due to low returns and climate pressures. Industry bodies want 2026 declared the 'Year of Soy' to raise awareness and expand cultivation. Rich in protein and nutrients, soy could cut oil imports, fight malnutrition, and boost exports, but consumption is just 2 grams per person per day against 40 grams in China. Processing and policy support could put the crop on a sustainable path. Finally, in today's book review, Sanjeev Ahluwalia explores why inequality coexists with surprising stability in India. Drawing on his family's history as Kerala gold money lenders, the book argues that social distance, cultural compacts, and restrained displays of wealth maintain legitimacy. Urban chaos, he suggests, may itself act as a leveller. While some claims feel overstated, the work is witty and insightful, offering fresh reflections on why India continues as both India and Bharat. Stay tuned!

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store