The NDA government had to face tough moments in the Supreme Court over the denial of leader of opposition status to the Congress in the Lok Sabha, with a bench led by Chief Justice R M Lodha emphasizing the importance of appreciating dissent in a democracy . “Does it not convey the voice of those not representing the government? It is an important voice,“ said the bench as it stressed the importance of LoP in parliamentary dem ocracy and pressed the government to recast the rules for the selection of Lokpal to ensure the opposition gets a say in choosing the federal ombudsman, saying the task should be competed in two weeks.“You will appreciate the urgency. Think of giving importance to the voice of LoP . If you are not changing the view, then we will interpret and give a ruling,“ said the bench.
Attorney general Mukul Rohatgi said that a review of the rules concerning Lokpal selection was already underway , even as he indicated that providing for the presence of the leader of the largest party in opposition on the selection committee could be one of the ways to ensure that the opposition was involved in the exercise. We are reviewing certain provisions of the Act and the rules. It is receiving attention at the highest level,“ Rohatgi said. The court's remark on LoP came when the bench was hearing a plea challenging deficiencies in the Lokpal selection process.
Coming just two days after it was denied the LoP post, the Congress celebrated it as a validation of its demand for the position. But the bench indicated that its real worry was about the participation of the largest opposition in the selection of Lokpal. It added that its concern would be met if the government considered including the leader of the largest group in Opposition in the Lokpal panel.
The court seemed to share the apprehension about the fairness of selection of the head of an important anti-corruption body , Lokpal, when the LoP post has not been assigned to anyone.“The LoP has special significance. When the LoP is not there, can the committee be termed effective? LoP is a very, very important component because it gives objectivity to the selection process,“ the bench said.
Attorney general Mukul Rohatgi said that a review of the rules concerning Lokpal selection was already underway , even as he indicated that providing for the presence of the leader of the largest party in opposition on the selection committee could be one of the ways to ensure that the opposition was involved in the exercise. We are reviewing certain provisions of the Act and the rules. It is receiving attention at the highest level,“ Rohatgi said. The court's remark on LoP came when the bench was hearing a plea challenging deficiencies in the Lokpal selection process.
Coming just two days after it was denied the LoP post, the Congress celebrated it as a validation of its demand for the position. But the bench indicated that its real worry was about the participation of the largest opposition in the selection of Lokpal. It added that its concern would be met if the government considered including the leader of the largest group in Opposition in the Lokpal panel.
The court seemed to share the apprehension about the fairness of selection of the head of an important anti-corruption body , Lokpal, when the LoP post has not been assigned to anyone.“The LoP has special significance. When the LoP is not there, can the committee be termed effective? LoP is a very, very important component because it gives objectivity to the selection process,“ the bench said.
No comments:
Post a Comment