WB CM Reports 23,000 CAA Certificates Issued; MHA Transfers Processing to District Collectors

Bombay HC Rules Community Health Volunteers Entitled to Minimum Wage Under 1948 Act

The Bombay High Court has ruled that community health volunteers working for the BMC are entitled to minimum wages under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, rejecting the argument that their honorarium exempts them. This judgment strengthens labour rights for contractual and volunteer workers, an important topic for UPSC labour jurisprudence and social security.

Calcutta HC Rules Electricity Essential for Dignified Life, Restores Power in Disputed Property

Calcutta High Court held that electricity is essential for 'meaningful civilized living' under Article 21. It restored power to occupants of a disputed property but clarified that restoration does not create any right to stay or equity in their favour.

Uttarakhand Waqf Board Proposes Revised Nikahnama Aligned with UCC; Interfaith Marriages under Special Marriage Act

Over 1.5 years after Uttarakhand implemented the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the State Waqf Board has proposed a revised nikahnama to bring Muslim marriage registrations in line with the new law. The proposal bans conversions solely for marriage and mandates interfaith couples to register under the Special Marriage Act, marking a significant step in UCC implementation.

Jharkhand HC Directs State to Fill JSHRC Vacancies in 3 Months Citing Custodial Deaths

The Jharkhand High Court has ordered the state government to fill all vacancies in the Jharkhand State Human Rights Commission (JSHRC) within three months, noting that the commission has been non-functional since 2022. The court held that prolonged vacancies violate the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 and Supreme Court directions, and made the Chief Secretary personally responsible for compliance.

MHA Empowers District Collectors in 8 States/UTs to Grant Citizenship under CAA 2019

The MHA has transferred power from Empowered Committees to District Collectors in eight states/UTs to process pending CAA applications, bypassing state governments. This follows BJP's win in West Bengal and aims to expedite citizenship for six non-Muslim communities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who entered India before December 31, 2014.

Manipur NRC Debate: 1951 Baseline vs 1971 Assam Cut-off Explained for Exams

Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam announced 1951 as the base year for updating the NRC in the state. This demand stems from the abolition of Manipur's permit system in 1950, a sharp population growth spike in 1961, and fears of illegal immigration post-Myanmar coup. However, Kuki-Zo groups oppose it citing 1951 census gaps in hill areas.

MahaRERA Strikes Down Builder's Unilateral Cancellation Clause, Orders Interest from Oct 2023 Under RERA Act

MahaRERA has declared illegal a contractual clause that allowed a builder to unilaterally cancel a flat allotment via Power of Attorney, reinforcing statutory safeguards under the RERA Act. The developer was ordered to pay interest for delayed possession from October 1, 2023. This ruling is a key example of regulatory protection for homebuyers and a must-know for exams covering RERA, consumer rights, and state-level governance.

CAG Report: ₹15.25 Cr Shortfall & ₹17.80 Cr Solatium Unpaid to Tribals in WB Mining Acquisitions

CAG report reveals West Bengal government's failure to ensure fair compensation to tribal landowners in mining land acquisitions by ECL and BCCL between 2017-22, resulting in a short payment of ₹15.25 crore and unpaid solatium of ₹17.80 crore. The report highlights systemic lapses by district authorities in implementing Coal India's R&R Policy 2012 and the LARR Act 2013.