Cabinet gets cold feet on Judges’ Bill, defers action
Despite the fact that the BJP was prepared to support the measure, the government appeared Thursday to have developed cold feet on clearing the law ministry proposal to set up an independent “Judicial Appointments Commission” aimed at replacing the existing collegium system of appointing members of the higher judiciary.
While a draft bill was on the agenda of Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, a source said “given the objections raised by the legal fraternity, judges and Bar Council of India, it was felt more discussions were needed”.
A minister insisted, however, that a decision was put off only because law minister Kapil Sibal was not present as he is indisposed.
While initially it was said the Leader of the Opposition would be a member of the six- member panel, sources said the final draft had only the Chief Justice of India as chairman, two senior SC judges, two eminent citizens as members and the law secretary as member- secretary.
The Cabinet also approved key amendments suggested by the BJP and Left parties to the Land Acquisition Bill, in a bid to create a consensus on this key legislation.
With general elections less than a year away, the Union Cabinet on Thursday also the proposal for establishing a “new media wing” in the ministry of information and broadcasting for publicising UPA government’s initiatives through multiple social media platforms.
A statement issued by the government said, “The new media wing in the ministry would address the communication and dissemination requirements of the government on social media platforms. The wing would integrate the communication tools horizontally and vertically through various social media platforms.”
The Cabinet also gave its nod to key amendments suggested by BJP and Left parties to the Land Acquisition Bill. This is being done as part of its efforts to create broadbased political consensus
The Union Cabinet gave its nod to key amendments suggested by BJP and Left to the Land Acquisition Bill
Setting up of all- woman bank also aprroved
on the key legislation.
The Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011 along with amendments will be taken up for consideration in Lok Sabha next Tuesday.
Among the amendments approved by Cabinet was the one suggested by Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj that instead of acquisition, the land could be leased to developers so that its ownership will remain with the farmers and would provide them with regular annual income.
When contacted, rural development minister Jairam Ramesh said, “We are working our best to create an all party consensus. We are working hard to ensure the bill get passed with the cooperation of all parties in this session of Parliament.”
As promised earlier the government has agreed to set up an all- woman bank with an initial capital of ` 1,000 crore. Sources said, the Cabinet approved setting up the bank, which will have an initial capital of ` 1,000 crore.