Results for: Transparency

A group of House Republicans, led by Rep. Jim Banks and House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, introduced a bill called the No Tax Dollars For College Encampments Act. The bill aims to force colleges to be transparent about their policies on campus protests and ensure they are fairly enforced, following a wave of anti-Israel protests on campuses across the country. The bill comes after incidents of antisemitism and disruptions to campus life during the protests, sparking concerns among Jewish students and prompting investigations by House GOP.

After five years in a British prison and seven years in self-imposed exile, Julian Assange has returned to his native Australia. While his future plans remain unclear, his release has sparked speculation about his next move, ranging from a return to activism to a possible run for political office.

The Ministry of Education has constituted a high-level committee of seven experts to review the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam process and recommend improvements to ensure transparency and fairness. The committee, headed by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan, will assess the examination process, data security protocols, and the structure and functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the No Hidden FEES Act, a bill that aims to promote transparency in hotel fee displays. The legislation requires all lodging businesses, including short-term rental platforms, online travel agencies, and hotels, to clearly display all mandatory fees. This move is supported by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), which has been advocating for a uniform standard in fee disclosure. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

A delegation of opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc met with the Election Commission on June 2 to demand adherence to guidelines for vote counting on June 4. They requested that postal-ballot results be announced before those from electronic voting machines (EVMs), as per statutory rules. The leaders also emphasized the importance of transparent procedures, including monitoring the movement of EVM control units and verifying date-and-time displays.

Opposition parties and civil society groups have raised concerns over the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) decision not to disclose absolute voter turnout numbers in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. They are demanding the release of Form 17 C, which contains detailed polling data, to ensure transparency. The ECI has defended its stance, stating that Form 17 C is only shared with candidates and not the public. However, smaller parties and independents face challenges in deploying polling agents at all booths, raising questions about the fairness of the election process.

Flair Airlines, Canada’s leading low-fare carrier, remains committed to transparency and environmental responsibility as evidenced by its impressive operational metrics for April. The airline achieved an industry-leading carbon emissions rate of 65g CO2 per passenger/km, solidifying its position as Canada’s most environmentally conscious airline. Flair also boasts an outstanding 99.9% completion rate, making it the most dependable airline in the country.

Tractor Beverage Company and HowGood, a sustainability intelligence platform, have been recognized by Fast Company’s 2024 World Changing Ideas Awards for their Organic Impact Tracker. The tracker quantifies the benefits of sourcing organic ingredients versus their conventional counterparts, including synthetic pesticides avoided, organic land supported, carbon emissions avoided, water saved, and improved soil health. Tractor, the first and only organic company dedicated to food service, is also the only company in the world to track Synthetic Pesticides Avoided as part of its impact reporting.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has initiated efforts to enhance transparency and standardize billing processes in hospitals, benefiting patients, insurers, and government agencies. Industry bodies and stakeholders have been invited for consultations, aligning with a recent Supreme Court directive to address the lack of specified price ranges for treatments and procedures in private hospitals. The move aims to reduce discrepancies and confusion in billing, especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts emphasize the need for a simplified billing system that fosters transparency and accountability within the healthcare sector.

Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has clarified his previous comments on manufacturing in India, stating that he is not against manufacturing itself but remains concerned about the government’s use of subsidies and tariffs in a non-transparent manner. Rajan expressed support for domestic defense production and job creation in manufacturing, but raised concerns about policies that have allowed labor-intensive manufacturing to decline while subsidizing areas like chip manufacturing, where India lacks expertise. He questioned the effectiveness of subsidizing old-generation chip production and emphasized the need for transparency in government policies.