CJI Chandrachud must recuse himself from cases concerning disqualification of Sena, NCP MLAs: Raut
Mumbai (PTI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday demanded that Chief Justice India D Y Chandrachud recuse himself from the cases tied to the disqualification petitions concerning rebel Shiv Sena and NCP MLAs.
The Rajya Sabha member’s demand comes amid a row over Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the Ganpati Puja celebrations at CJI Chandrachud’s residence.
Talking to reporters, Raut said doubt arises in the minds of people when “protectors of the Constitution meet politicians”.
“The Chief Justice of India should recuse himself from the cases because his relations with the prime minister are out in the open. Can he give us justice,” he asked.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) headed by Uddhav Thackeray is caught in a legal wrangle with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, with the matter reaching the Supreme Court, after the split in the Bal Thackeray-founded party two years ago.
“Our case is going on before CJI Chandrachud. We have doubts whether we will get justice because the Centre is a party in our case and the (central) government is headed by the prime minister,” Raut said.
For three years, an “illegal government” has been in power in Maharashtra when someone like Chief Justice of India Chandrachud is in that position, Raut claimed.
“The CJI has repeatedly said that the government is unconstitutional but still a judgment is not given despite his retirement is nearing. Amid this, the prime minister has reached his residence,” Raut said.
PM Modi on Wednesday visited the residence of Chandrachud on the occasion of Ganesh festival and offered prayers.
Raut wondered whether the PM’s visit to Chandrachud’s residence was according to constitutional norms and protocol.
Doubts have become stronger that there is “something happening to save the government or completely finish NCP and Shiv Sena, and while doing so help is being taken from the judiciary”, he claimed.
There is doubt in the minds of people when “protectors of the Constitution meet political people”, he added.
Last year’s split in the Sharad Pawar-founded Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has also reached the apex court.
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Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
