News 1 - Kishore Tiwari headed Taskforce on Maharashtra Agrarian Crisis submits a report to the Government
Vasantrao Naik Sheti Swavlamban Mission (VNSSM), a Maharashtra State Government appointed taskforce and headed by Kishor Tiwari, has suggested a five-point agenda to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The taskforce was appointed for redressal of farmers' grievances and was asked to submit a report on measures needed to tackle agrarian crisis in the 14 drought-prone districts of Maharashtra.
Start a crop loan helpline with details published in leading newspapers.
Set up village and taluka-level crop loan committees comprising of ground staff and sarpanch which will prepare a list of hardships being faced by credit-starved farmers.
All banks should put big flex boards requesting farmers to come for fresh crop loans.
Contact numbers of all senior bank officials, the District Collector and the VNSSM chairman should be displayed prominently.
A nodal officer for each bank branch to be appointed by the District Collector who would be required to provide a daily update of crop loan disbursement.
News 2 - Government forms a panel to list RBI Governor Candidates
The Government has formed a selection committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha to shortlist candidates for the Reserve Bank of India Governor Post. It is the first time that the RBI governor will be appointed from a list of candidates nominated by the Financial Sector Regulatory Appointment Search Committee (FSRASC).
This committee also comprises additional principal secretary to Prime Minister, P K Mishra, who is a permanent government nominee, and three outside experts – Rajiv Kumar of Centre for Policy Research, Manoj Panda of the Institute of Economic Growth and Bimal N Patel from Gujarat National Law University. A finance ministry representative will be a special invitee.
News 3: Anand Desai Committee on Specific Relief Act, 1963 submitted its report
The Expert committee led by Anand Desai to examine the Specific Relief Act, 1963 submitted its report to Union Law & Justice Minister DV Sadananda Gowda. The committee has recommended modifications in the Specific Relief Act, 1963. The recommendations are aimed at ensuring that public works contracts happen without unnecessary delays.
One of the highlights of the recommendations of the committee is that even if contractual obligations cannot be met, the court could ask the parties to fulfil terms of the contract. Monetary compensation will be an alternative when contracts cannot be fulfilled.