Law Minister reveals government’s intent

According to news reports (TOI July 1, 2010), Law Minister Veerappa Moily is proposing to enact a law that Public Interest Litigations aimed at stopping "developmental projects" on environmental grounds would have to pay the cost of delay of projects, when their PIL's get rejected. This proposal is a key aspect of the new National Litigation Policy.

Continue reading

Truths about the privatisation of power distribution

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission is supposed to be an independent authority that sets the prices consumers have to pay for electric power in the national capital.  However, on 4th May, 2010, the Delhi Government issued a directive to the Commission not to issue the tariff order for 2010-11.  As a result, the privately owned distribution companies of the Tatas and Reliance are overcharging consumers to the extent of Rs.300 crore per month.  This has been stated in the most recent communication from the Chairman of DERC to the Chief Secretary of Delhi Government, who is also Principal Secretary for power.

Continue reading

Trade Unions plan all India strike

Trade Unions are planning for an All India strike in September. A national convention of the nine central trade unions on July 15 will finalise the date of the industrial strike. Price rise and the jump in fuel prices will be the dominant theme for the upcoming strike. Apart from price rise, there are five other issues that are agitating the workers.

Continue reading

Bihar University workers’ struggle

More than 33,000 non-teaching workers of nine universities and 250 colleges have not received their salaries for the last four months. They have launched an indefinite strike over this issue.The strike has already paralyzed the functioning of all the colleges and universities in the state. All works of admission, examination and teaching have been adversely affected by the strike.

Continue reading