Politics

List plea on freebies before three-judge bench at the earliest: SC

Published

5 months ago

November 2, 2022

A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered that a plea seeking to stop political parties from offering freebies to entice voters be listed at the earliest before a three-judge bench.
The bench of Chief Justice of India UU Lalit and justice Bela M Trivedi cited the controversy over election freebies and submissions made by political parties while directing early hearing of the petition. The top court had in August ordered listing of the matter before a three-judge bench.

On Tuesday, the petitioner, BJP spokesperson Ashwini Upadhyay, sought constitution of a committee to work on a standard framework for election manifestos to help control irrational freebies in larger public interest and ensure free and fair elections.

In a fresh short submission, Upadhyay suggested that such an expert committee may have the chief election commissioner as its chairman, and include the Reserve Bank of India governor, Finance Commission chairman, Niti Aayog vice chairperson, controller and auditor general, GST Council secretary and presidents of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and the Institute of Cost Accountants as members.
The bench, however, reiterated the August order for listing the matter before a three-judge bench.

In August, a bench headed by the then Chief Justice NV Ramana had held that a three-member bench would reconsider a 2013 ruling, delivered by a division bench, which held that freebies were related to the directive principles, or on promoting the welfare of people.

That ruling was relied on by the Election Commission earlier this month to contend that the issue should be “decided and debated in the legislature” and not by the apex court.

ET had previously reported that the 2013 ruling had, in fact, directed the Election Commission to “frame guidelines” that could “govern” the contents of election manifestos.

The former CJI had said that “the scope of judicial intervention” in the relief sought in the case was among the issues that might need consideration by the three-member bench.

Whether an “enforceable order can be passed” and whether the constitution of a “commission or an expert body” comprising all stakeholders would “serve any purpose” also needed to be looked at, the court had then said, while also asking if such a body or expert panel was constituted, what would be its “scope and composition”?

Appearing on behalf of the Centre, solicitor general Tushar Mehta had contended that “some political parties claim that they have a fundamental right to announce freebies” and were “promising the moon” before polls to ensure a win in elections.

Source link

Up Next

CAA to be implemented in West Bengal soon, Matuas to Benefit: Suvendu Adhikari

Don't Miss

Congress starts Assam edition of Bharat Jodo Yatra

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

You must log in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Politics

Meghalaya: Voice of the People’s Party stages walkout in protest of Governor’s Hindi speech

Published

3 hours ago

March 20, 2023

ironity

The Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) staged a walk out of Meghalaya Assembly in protest against the Governor Phagu Chauhan for delivering his address in Hindi.The Governor on the first day of the Budget Session delivered his speech in Hindi.

VPP legislator from Nongkrem, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said that Meghalaya is not a Hindi speaking state and Hindi cannot be imposed by the Government of India on the people of the State. “This is against the sentiment of the people of the state.”

Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma however said that such behaviour is not accepted from an elected MLA and written English speech is already circulated in the house.Assembly Speaker, Thomas A Sangma said that he would allow the Governor to address the House in Hindi as written speech in English was circulated among all the members.

Health Minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh said, “It is important to consistently pursue with the Government of India that the indigenous people of the state are a non-Hindi speaking community. It is important to understand the inability of Meghalaya to speak and communicate in Hindi”.

Source link

Politics

JPC probe into Adani issue will bring off BJP’s mask: Pramod Tiwari

Published

6 hours ago

March 20, 2023

ironity

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on March 20 said that if Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is constituted on the Adani issue, then the reality of BJP would come to the fore and all those who are involved in the issue would be exposed. “The drama that has been going on since 13th March, can’t be happening without the permission of the PM. Today, once again Parliament wasn’t allowed to function. What are we demanding? Just a JPC investigation into the biggest scam after Independence,” said Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Adani issue. “Why is BJP scared of JPC? If JPC is taken up, BJP’s mask would fall off and all those – from top to bottom – who filled the coffers of Adani by snatching away the rights of the middle class and the poor will be exposed,” he said.

Source link

Politics

People watching exploits of ‘corrupt’ BJP government, will reply when time comes: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Delhi Police notice to Rahul

Published

8 hours ago

March 20, 2023

ironity

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday attacked the Centre over Delhi Police’s notice to Rahul Gandhi and said the people of the country are watching all the exploits of “the corrupt BJP government” and will reply when the time comes. Her attack came after Rahul Gandhi on Sunday faced a Delhi police team that reached his residence to inquire about his “women are still being sexually assaulted” statement made during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. In a tweet in Hindi, Priyanka Gandhi said, “Notice is being given to Mr Rahul Gandhi as to why did you raise the voice of women, dalits, tribals, poor, farmers and youth who were suffering from atrocities?”

The people of the country are watching all the exploits of “the corrupt BJP government” and will give a reply when the time comes, she said.

“PM’s friend Gautam Adani accused of having business relations with 38 shell companies abroad, no notice. Infiltration of fake company in defense sector through Adani, no notice. The government itself is accused of changing the rules to benefit Adani, not even discussed in the Parliament,” the Congress general secretary said. In another tweet, Priyanka Gandhi slammed the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over the reported suicide of a girl student over alleged eve teasing.

“In the media, advertisements say that ‘criminals are trembling’ in UP. But, in reality, everyday criminals commit crimes against women without fear and the women are not given a hearing in the government system,” she said.

The Congress has condemned the Delhi Police action after police knocked on Gandhi’s doors on Sunday for the third time in five days asking him to provide information on the women “victims” so that the police can take up their case.

The opposition party attacked the central government, accusing it of harassment, intimidation and political vendetta, but the BJP rejected the charge and said the police was “only discharging its lawful duty”.

Source link