Latest news with #SCIC
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CIC appointed prior to RTI Act amendment of 2019 entitled to pensionary benefits equivalent to that of retired Supreme Court judge, rules Kerala high court
Kochi: High court has directed the state govt to grant former state chief information commissioner (SCIC) Vinson M Paul , pension benefits equivalent to those of a retired Supreme Court judge or Election order was issued by a bench of Justice Harishankar V Menon on a petition filed by Paul challenging the state's decision denying him pensionary benefits on par with a retired Supreme Court judge or an Election Commissioner. The bench also quashed the communication issued by general administration department principal secretary and the govt order dated May 29, 2014, which had fixed the service and pension benefits for state information a retired IPS officer who was appointed as SCIC in 2016 and demitted office in 2020 upon attaining the age of 65 years, claimed pensionary benefits in accordance with Section 16 of the Right to Information Act , 2005. He contended that these benefits should be equivalent to those of a retired Supreme Court judge or an Election Commissioner. The govt responded that it was not in a position to consider his claim, stating that he was only entitled to the benefits specified in the 2014 govt order. It also pointed out that the RTI Act was amended in 2019, and as per the amendment, the salaries, allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the state chief information commissioner and state information commissioners shall be prescribed by the central reviewing the records, the single bench observed that although the RTI Act was amended in 2019, it explicitly stated that appointments made before the amendment would not be affected. HC further held that the 2014 govt order relating to the service and benefits of state information commissioners must be set aside, as it seeks to depart from the statutory provisions. The court emphasised that no govt order, notification, or circular can substitute statutory rules framed under the authority of law.
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
State Chief Information Commissioner restrains Anjaneyulu from functioning as Secretary (FAC) of APIC
In a strongly worded administrative order dated May 9, 2025, State Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC) R. Mahaboob Basha restrained V. Anjaneyulu, IRTS, from functioning as Secretary (Full Additional Charge) of the Andhra Pradesh Information Commission (APIC), citing serious procedural violations. Escalating the friction between the State Government and the APIC, Mr. Basha asserted that the appointment made by Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand 'without consulting the APIC' contravenes both the Right to Information Act, 2005, and G.O. Ms. No. 122 dated September 6, 2017. He emphasised that as per Section 16(6) of the RTI Act, the State Government was required to provide officers and staff to the SCIC and the State Information Commissioners to ensure efficient functioning, and in a manner that safeguarded the independence and autonomy of the Commission. 'This is the first time in the history of the APIC that the office of the Principal Secretary to Government, General Administration Department (GAD), initiated the appointment process for the post of Secretary without consulting the APIC,' Mr. Basha said in the order. 'The APIC has always recruited its staff through the SCIC, with subsequent approval from the government,' he said. The SCIC mentioned that the GAD had instructed departmental heads to nominate candidates for the post independently, a move that he described as a 'breach of long-standing conventions and administrative norms.' Mr. Basha said though the office was 'shocked' by the development, it initially refrained from objecting in the hope that the GAD would adhere to the earlier practice by consulting the Commission. He criticised the appointment of Mr. Anjaneyulu, who is already serving on deputation as Director, Insurance Medical Services, for being in clear violation of the 2017 G.O., which stipulated that the Secretary to APIC should only be appointed either on deputation or contract. 'The G.O. does not empower the government to assign Full Additional Charge to an officer already serving elsewhere on deputation,' Mr. Basha said. He further said that Mr. Anjaneyulu visited the APIC office and claimed to have assumed charge as Secretary. However, upon being advised to submit a formal joining report and await clearance from the SCIC, he left without completing the process. The SCIC further alleged that Mr. Anjaneyulu had since been entering the Commission's premises unauthorisedly, reprimanding staff, and issuing directives in defiance of protocol. 'An officer cannot function independently as Secretary of APIC without the approval of the SCIC,' Mr. Basha asserted. 'The APIC cannot blindly allow any officer deployed by the government to assume charge unless it is satisfied with his or her suitability to serve in an autonomous and quasi-judicial institution,' he added. Invoking Section 15(4) of the RTI Act, Mr. Basha underscored the Commission's responsibility to restrain any action that undermined the authority and dignity of the SCIC's office. He also suggested the State Government to refrain from deputing officers who, he said, 'do not know how to conduct themselves in an autonomous and independent quasi-judicial authority like the APIC.' The government was yet to react to the development. Meanwhile, officials at various levels in the government observed that the SCIC could not deny the appointment of the officers as the government had the mandate to provide staff for the functioning of the office.
Gulf Business
10-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
ADQ, Vietnam's SCIC to explore investment opportunities
Image: Supplied Abu Dhabi's ADQ and Vietnam's State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on investment opportunities in key sectors, as both nations seek to deepen economic ties. The agreement establishes a framework for co-investment in sectors that align with Vietnam's economic development strategy. The Southeast Asian nation, the third-largest economy in the region after Indonesia and Thailand, is projected to grow by 6.5 per cent in both 2025 and 2026. The MoU follows the comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) The pact is expected to enhance collaboration in sectors such as oil and gas, renewable energy, and agriculture. ADQ-SCIC: Strengthening UAE-Vietnam bilateral ties 'This partnership aims to deepen the bilateral ties between the UAE and Vietnam while also highlighting ADQ's commitment to investing in high-growth markets that align with our strategic investment priorities,' said Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, MD and group CEO of ADQ. 'Vietnam's rapidly expanding economy presents a unique opportunity to drive impactful investments in key sectors of mutual interest.' Trade between the UAE and Vietnam reached $4.7bn in 2023, a 5.9 per cent increase year-on-year. In the first eight months of 2024 alone, trade exceeded $4.47bn, marking a 45 per cent surge compared to the same period in the previous year, underscoring the strengthening economic partnership between the two nations. SCIC chairman Nguyen Chi Thanh called the MoU a 'significant milestone', adding that the agreement would strengthen economic cooperation between the two nations. 'SCIC stands ready to provide support and facilitate the most favourable conditions for the two parties to pursue long-term collaboration,' he said, suggesting the organisation of business forums to explore investment prospects and develop joint investment mechanisms. Founded in 2005, It plays a key role in improving the competitiveness and efficiency of state-backed companies while executing strategic investments to drive sustainable economic growth. ADQ, established in 2018, manages a portfolio of over 25 companies operating in more than 130 countries. Its investments span key sectors, including energy, utilities, transport, logistics, food, agriculture, healthcare and life sciences. The Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor has formed strategic alliances with governments worldwide and has facilitated market expansion for its portfolio companies in countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Oman, and Jordan.
Gulf Today
08-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
ADQ and SCIC sign MoU to explore investment opportunities in Vietnam
ADQ and State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC), a sovereign wealth fund owned by the Government of Vietnam, on Saturday announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for collaboration in key sectors of mutual interest in the Southeast Asian country. As part of the agreement, both entities will collaborate to identify and assess potential co-investment opportunities that support Vietnam's economic ambitions and align with its strategic development objectives. Vietnam is the third-largest economy in Southeast Asia, after Indonesia and Thailand, and is projected to grow by 6.5 percent in both 2025 and 2026. In October 2024, Vietnam and the UAE finalised a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, Vietnam's first with a Middle Eastern nation, paving the way for enhanced collaboration across key sectors, including oil and gas, renewable energy, and agriculture. Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment and Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of ADQ, said, 'This partnership aims to deepen the strengthening bilateral ties between the UAE and Vietnam, while also highlighting ADQ's commitment to investing in high-growth markets that align with our strategic investment priorities. Vietnam's rapidly expanding economy presents a unique opportunity to drive impactful investments in key sectors of mutual interest. By leveraging the expertise within our diverse portfolio, we strive to be a catalyst for sustainable growth, unlocking tangible value and supporting Vietnam's long-term economic ambitions.' Nguyen Chi Thanh, Chairman of State Capital Investment Corporation, commented, 'The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on investment collaboration is a significant milestone, laying a solid foundation for the partnership between SCIC and ADQ in particular and contributing to the development of bilateral relations between the two nations in general. SCIC stands ready to provide support and facilitate the most favourable conditions for the two parties to pursue long-term collaboration in the future. To further strengthen bilateral cooperation, we would like both sides to come together and organise dedicated business forums in specific sectors in the coming period. These forums would help foster connectivity and partnership opportunities, explore investment prospects, and develop joint investment mechanisms.' Earlier Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund ADQ has teamed up with Orion Resource Partners to form a joint venture that will invest in metals and mining, ADQ said on Thursday, as the wealth fund expands its critical minerals portfolio. Under the 50-50 JV, which will be based in the UAE's capital, ADQ and global investment firm Orion will initially invest $1.2 billion over four years in mining companies in emerging markets in Africa, Asia and Latin America, the fund said in a statement. The partners will invest through different asset classes, including equity, senior debt and production-linked instruments, such as royalties. Established in 2018, ADQ has a broad portfolio of domestic assets, including energy, healthcare, as well as transport and logistics such as Abu Dhabi state carrier Etihad Airways. The fund had $225 billion in assets under management at the end of June and has been investing in sectors that could help oil-rich Abu Dhabi speed up economic diversification plans aimed at cutting reliance on oil revenues. 'Downstream sectors such as manufacturing and clean energy are expected to directly benefit from the sourcing of critical raw materials' through the JV, ADQ said. It will be part of the wealth fund's infrastructure and critical minerals cluster, which includes Australian infrastructure investor Plenary Group. The new office will be headed by Philip Clegg, who has served as Orion's managing partner. Adnoc-ADQ JV Awards $1.7 billion build contract for UAE Methanol Plant. TA'ZIZ, an Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (Adnoc) and ADQ joint venture tasked with establishing a 'chemicals and transition fuels ecosystem', has awarded a $1.7 billion engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for a methanol production facility in the Al Ruwais ecosystem project. Expected to be completed 2028, the plant will be the first methanol production facility in the United Arab Emirates, according to TA'ZIZ. The plant is planned to produce up to 1.8 million metric tons a year of clean energy-powered methanol. 'This landmark EPC contract award is a significant step in realising TA'ZIZ's vision to drive the UAE's industrial growth by creating a world-scale integrated chemicals ecosystem in Al Dhafra region', TA'ZIZ chief executive Mashal Saoud Al-Kindi said in a company statement. 'The plant will enhance the UAE's position as a leader in sustainable chemicals production and strengthen TA'ZIZ's role in enabling Adnoc's global ambition to lead the chemicals sector'.
