The Central Information Commission has directed the Reserve Bank to make public audit reports of co-operative banks, rejecting the arguments of the Bank that such disclosure could “lead to loss of faith in some banks” and adversely affect economic interests of the state. The Reserve Bank had sought exemption on two grounds — it could affect economic interests of the state (Section 8(1) (a) of the RTI Act) and information is held in fiduciary capacity (Section 8(1)(e)).

In accord with Fair Trade USA’s (FTUSA) new strategy titled “Fair Trade for All”, which in part will begin allowing hired workers on plantations, estates and large farms to participate in the Fair Trade Certified system in a few more product categories (like coffee, cocoa and sugar), draft standards have been published. FTUSA is accepting public comments through December 30, 2011, and is publishing the final Hired Labor standards on February 15, 2012.