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Prescribing a code of conduct to regulate the relationship between doctors and pharmaceutical companies is a “serious” matter, the Supreme Court observed on Thursday, after a petitioner said a particular drug manufacturer spent hundreds of crores in freebies to medical practitioners.

The lawyer representing Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives Association of India (FMRAI) cited what he said was a Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) press release to contend that the manufacturer of Dolo 650, a popular fever drug, had spent ₹1,000 crore in freebies, although HT could not verify the claim.

At this, Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, who was on the bench with Justice AS Bopanna, said: “What you are saying is not music to our ears. This is exactly what I had when I got Covid. This is a serious issue.”

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday (August 18, 2022) lashed out at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the early release of all the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case of the 2002 Gujarat riots, and said the policy of the BJP is to stand by rapists be it in Gujarat or Kathua. While commenting on the BJP MLA's remark that the rapists of Bilkis Bano are Brahmins with 'sanskaar', Owaisi said, "While some people's caste can secure their release from jail despite the heinous nature of their crime, some other people's caste or religion is enough to 'imprison them without proof'."

"We must thank God that at least Godse was convicted and hanged," Owaisi said demanding cancellation of the remission of the convicts.

Yogi Adityanath govt's BIG move- new transfers, postings in UP only after CM's approval

The order was issued in the wake of a major controversy over transfers in the PWD, Health and Jal Shakti Departments, leading to the suspension of senior officials.

The chief secretary's order issued to all additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries and secretaries on Tuesday said the season of transfers ended on June 30 and now shifting of all employees will be done after taking necessary permission from the chief minister.

According to the annual transfer policy issued on June 15, all transfers at the district and division levels were to be done by June 30.

The Supreme Court has stayed for further proceedings three PILs before the Jharkhand High Court against Hemant Soren in the money laundering case. In fact, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had sought a probe into allegations of corruption against Chief Minister Hemant Soren for alleged money laundering through fake companies. The Supreme Court said, the petitioners have not been able to establish a prima facie case against Soren.

The order was passed as the top court had reserved order on separate appeals filed by the Jharkhand government and Soren, in which the PIL filed by Shiv Shankar Sharma, seeking probe against the chief minister and his family, was referred to the High Court. The June order was challenged. The case pertains to mining leases, alleged money laundering by shell companies linked to them and the 2010 MGNREGA contract.

The Department of Telecom has received upfront payment of around Rs 17,876 crore from Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Adani Data Networks and Vodafone Idea for spectrum they won in a recent auction, according to sources. While all telecom operators have opted to make payments in 20 annual installments, Bharti Airtel has paid Rs 8,312.4 crore equivalent to four annual installments.

Reliance Jio has made payment of Rs 7,864.78 crore, Vodafone Idea Rs 1,679.98 crore and Adani Data Networks Rs 18.94 crore. “DoT has received a total payment of around Rs 17,876 crore. Only Bharti Airtel has paid for four annual installments at one go,” an official source said.