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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SC wants Chandrachud to vacate CJI bungalow
The Supreme Court administration has taken the unprecedented step of writing to the Union government seeking the official Chief Justice residence be urgently vacated and returned to the court's housing pool, noting that its current occupant —former CJI Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud — has stayed beyond the permissible period. Former CJI DY Chandrachud A July 1 communication from the Supreme Court, seen by HT, to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has demanded that Bungalow No. 5 on Krishna Menon Marg in Lutyens' Delhi -- the designated residence for India's sitting CJI, be vacated immediately. 'I am to request you to take the possession of Bungalow No. 5, Krishna Menon Marg, from Hon'ble Dr. Justice DY Chandrachud without any further delay as not only the permission that was granted for retention... has expired on 31st May, 2025, but also the period of six months provided in Rule 3B of the 2022 Rules has expired on 10th May, 2025,' read the letter from a Supreme Court official to the MoHUA secretary. HT has seen this letter. Justice Chandrachud, who served as the 50th CJI between November 2022 and November 2024, currently occupies the Type VIII bungalow nearly eight months after demitting office. Two successive CJIs — Justices Sanjiv Khanna and the incumbent Bhushan R Gavai — chose not to move into the premises, opting instead to continue living in their previously allotted bungalows. When contacted, Justice Chandrachud attributed the delay to compelling personal circumstances of which the Supreme Court administration was fully informed. He clarified that he had already been allotted alternative accommodation by the government on rent for a limited period, and was only waiting for it to be made livable after years of disuse. As per the July 1 communication, on December 18, 2024 -- just over a month after he retired, Justice Chandrachud wrote to then CJI Khanna, seeking permission to continue residing at 5 Krishna Menon Marg until April 30, 2025. In his letter, Justice Chandrachud said that although he had been allotted Bungalow No. 14 on Tughlak Road in accordance with Rule 3B of the Supreme Court Judges (Amendment) Rules, 2022, renovation work at the new residence had been stalled due to pollution-related construction restrictions under GRAP-IV. 'It would be more convenient if I am permitted to retain the existing accommodation at 5 Krishna Menon Marg till 30 April 2025,' wrote Justice Chandrachud, while offering to forgo the Tughlak Road bungalow so it could be allotted to another judge. Rule 3B of the 2022 Rules permits a retired Chief Justice to retain Type VII accommodation, which is a notch below the Krishna Menon Marg bungalow (Type VIII), for a maximum of six months post-retirement. In the wake of the then CJI's nod, MoHUA approved the retention of the Type VIII bungalow at Krishna Menon Marg by Justice Chandrachud from December 11, 2024, to April 30, 2025 on payment of licence fees of ₹5,430 per month. This was conveyed by MoHUA to the Supreme Court via a letter dated February 13, 2025. The July 1 letter added that Justice Chandrachud subsequently made an oral request to the CJI to continue residing at the same premises until May 31, 2025, which was granted with a caveat -- no further extension would be allowed as other judges, elevated in the interim, were living in guest houses or waiting for a bungalow allotment. The July 1 letter further underscores the breach of both the permission timeline and the statutory framework. It notes that Rule 3B entitles a retired Chief Justice to only a Type VII residence for six months, a period that ended for Justice Chandrachud on May 10, 2025. The communication also clarified that while the Krishna Menon Marg residence was permitted due to 'special circumstances,' the understanding was that it would be vacated after the agreed-upon extension till May-end. With that deadline having lapsed, the administration has now pressed the ministry to 'take possession without any further delay' and confirm to the Supreme Court. The letter marks a rare instance of formal intervention by the apex court to reclaim its highest official residence from a former occupant, and that too a former CJI. While informal extensions and grace periods post-retirement are not uncommon in the judiciary or bureaucracy, a letter seeking urgent action is unheard of at this level. Justice Chandrachud said: 'I have already been allotted an accommodation by the government on rent and that house is currently under renovation because it was shut for the last at least two years. I informed the Supreme Court about this allotment, making it clear I will shift the very next day that the house is ready,' he added. Justice Chandrachud also shared that the delay was, in part, due to the needs of his family, particularly his two daughters, both of whom require special care. 'I have two daughters with special needs, which is why it has taken me some time to look for a house appropriate for their needs,' he said. 'My daughters have severe comorbidities and genetic problems – particularly nemaline myopathy, for which they are being treated by specialists at AIIMS. I totally understand it is my personal issue. But I should also make it clear why it has taken me so long to look for a house, and this is something I have already discussed with the judges and the officers in the Supreme Court.' The former CJI maintained that the issue would soon be resolved and that he remained fully aware of the obligations that came with his past office. 'It is a matter of just a few days and I will shift… I have occupied the highest judicial office and I am completely cognisant of my responsibilities. To be sure, former CJIs in the past have been allowed extended time to retain government accommodation post-retirement, often to facilitate transition or address personal exigencies,' Justice Chandrachud emphasised. The former CJI further cited an April 28 letter that he wrote to the then CJI, Justice Khanna, informing him that he was in the process of shortlisting accommodation, given the special needs that his daughters had, seeking extension till June 30.
Economic Times
12-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Finance Ministry eases rules for bonus share issue by companies in FDI-barred sectors
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel The finance ministry has amended rules to allow Indian companies, engaged in sectors where the foreign direct investment (FDI) is barred, to issue bonus shares to their pre-existing non-resident the stakes of such shareholders must remain unchanged even after the bonus share issue, the ministry said while notifying the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) (Amendment) Rules, 2025. The new rules take effect from June move, experts said, will allow the companies flexibility to go for equity restructuring and also improve capital management without breaching the extant FDI policy The notification comes after a similar relief was announced in the FDI policy in April by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in ministry has now brought about the change by introducing a new sub-rule in the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) Rules, notification also said any 'bonus shares issued to such shareholders prior to the date of commencement of this sub-rule shall be deemed to have been issued in accordance with the provisions of these rules' or some other related move is part of the broader government efforts to further liberalise the rules on equity investments to enable India to attract more foreign Jhunjhunwala, Sandeep Jhunjhunwala, partner at Nangia Andersen LLP, said the notification makes it clear that 'bonus issues done in the past would (also) get a retrospective benefit of this clarificatory amendment'.It also aims to remove any ambiguity over the retrospective application of such a relaxation introduced in the FDI policy by the DPIIT in April, he added. The ambiguity had arisen due to the fact that FDI rule changes are usually implemented secretary Ajay Seth had in February told ET that the finance ministry and the Reserve Bank of India were in talks to further ease foreign exchange rules, especially with regard to non-debt instruments, and update them to modern that sector-specific limits for FDI have already been substantially relaxed, the government is turning its attention to easing restrictive regulations to woo foreign investors amid global scaled a peak of almost $85 billion in FY22, total FDI inflows into India fell over two years to touch $71 billion in FY24. It again rebounded to $81 billion last fiscal.
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Amid tension with Pak, media asked to refrain from live coverage of defence ops
Amid escalating tension with Pakistan since the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, the Government of India on Saturday asked media outlets to refrain from live coverage of defence operations and the movement of security forces. The ministry of information and broadcasting, in an advisory, contended that such reportage might inadvertently help hostile elements. 'In the interest of national security, all media platforms, news agencies, and social media users are advised to exercise utmost responsibility and adhere strictly to existing laws and regulations while reporting on matters concerning defence and other security-related operations,' the advisory read. 'Specifically: No real-time coverage, dissemination of visuals, or reporting based on 'sources-based' information related to defence operations or movement should be undertaken,' it said. 'Premature disclosure of sensitive information may inadvertently assist hostile elements and endanger operational effectiveness and the safety of personnel,' it said. The advisory added, 'Past incidents have underscored the importance of responsible reporting. During events such as the Kargil War, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and the Kandahar hijacking, unrestricted coverage had unintended adverse consequences on national interest. 'Media, digital platforms, and individuals play a vital role in safeguarding national security. Apart from the legal obligations, it is a shared moral responsibility to ensure that our collective actions do not compromise ongoing operations or the security of our forces. 'No programme should be carried in the cable service which contains live coverage of any anti-terrorist operation by security forces, wherein media coverage shall be restricted to periodic briefing by an officer designated by the appropriate government, till such operation concludes,' it stated The ministry describes such telecast as violation of the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021. Pakistan ups deployment along Jammu border Meanwhile, Pakistan has beefed up the deployment of Chenab Rangers along the 200-km border in Jammu region, people familiar with the development said. 'Pakistan has increased the presence of its men opposite Kathua, Samba and Jammu border. Additional deployment of men from 13 Chenab Rangers opposite Jammu and 14 and 26 Chenab Rangers opposite Samba and Kathua districts, respectively, have been made,' official sources said, adding: 'Earlier, Pakistan posts opposite Jammu border had two to three Rangers but now their number has gone up to 10 to 12 in each post.' The border in the region starts from Paharpur adjoining Kathua and runs up to Akhnoor sector in Jammu district.
New Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
I&B Ministry cautions media outlets against live coverage of defence operations in Pahalgam
NEW DELHI: The Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MI&B) on Saturday issued an advisory requesting media outlets, especially television news channels, to refrain from showing live coverage of defense operations related to the The ministry urged news agencies, social media users and all media platforms to exercise "utmost responsibility and adhere strictly to existing laws and regulations" while reporting on matter concerning defence and other security related actions "in the interest of the national security." The ministry further stated that specifically 'no real-time coverage', dissemination of visuals, or 'source-based reporting' should be undertaken. "Premature disclosure of sensitive information may inadvertently assist hostile elements and endanger operational effectiveness and the safety of personnel… Past incidents have underscored the importance of responsible reporting. During events such as the Kargil war, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, and the Kandahar hijacking, unrestricted coverage had unintended adverse consequences on national interests," read the advisory. On April 22, 2025, terrorists opened fire in Pahalgam's Baisaran meadow, killing 25 tourists, one local, and injuring several others. Noting that media, digital platforms, and individuals play a vital role in safeguarding national security, the ministry said that besides legal obligations, it is a 'shared moral responsibility' to ensure that our collective actions don't compromise ongoing operations or the security of our forces. Drawing attention towards the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021, the advisory said that such a telecast is in violation of those regulations and the violators are liable for action. 'Media coverage may be restricted to periodic briefing by an office designated by the appropriate Government till such operation concludes. All stakeholders are requested to continue exercising vigilance, sensitivity and responsibly in courage, upholding the highest standards in the service of the nation,' the advisory stated.
Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Odisha Cabinet sets graduation as minimum qualification for Anganwadi workers
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday approved a graduation degree as the minimum educational qualification for the selection of Anganwadi workers, under the Odisha Children's and Women's Welfare Service (Amendment) Rules, 2025. Chaired by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the Cabinet approved the amendment stipulating that candidates applying for the junior grade of service as Anganwadi workers must possess a graduate degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognised university. However, the amendment will not apply to existing Anganwadi workers, who will continue to be governed by the qualifications set under the previous rules, chief secretary Manoj Ahuja clarified. 'This initiative will strengthen the service delivery mechanism, quality management in implementation of the schemes meant for well-being of women and children being administered by the State,' he said. Also Read: Over 2 lakh vacancies at Anganwadi Centres: Centre tells Parliament Under Odisha's Integrated Child Development Services programme, Anganwadi workers are entrusted with delivering essential health, nutrition, and education services to children under six, pregnant and lactating mothers, and adolescent girls. Anganwadi workers provide non-formal pre-school education to children aged three to six years, teaching basic literacy, numeracy, and social skills through play-based activities and action songs. They ensure supplementary nutrition, such as hot-cooked meals or take-home rations, monitor growth by weighing children monthly, and counsel mothers on balanced diets and breastfeeding. They also facilitate immunisations, health check-ups, and distribute basic medicines like oral rehydration salts. Also Read: Anganwadi workers: Key to strengthening nutrition in India Apart from conducting house-to-house surveys to identify eligible beneficiaries, raise awareness about hygiene, and encourage community participation, Anganwadi workers hold monthly parents' meetings to discuss child development, record births, and refer cases of malnutrition to health facilities. With the help of the Poshan Tracker app to collage real-time data on childcare and growth, Anganwadi workers have maintained detailed registers on attendance, nutrition distribution, and health metrics since 2021.
