Kerala CM accuses Centre of weakening democratic system in country
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday accused the Centre of weakening the democratic system in the country through its "attempts" to bring Constitutional institutions under control.
The Centre is making moves to hold sway over the Constitutional institutions including the Election Commission, he charged.
The chief minister further alleged that the recent amendment brought to the Right to Information (RTI) Act was intended to make the (Central) Information Commission act in accordance with the whims and fancies of the political system which is in power at the Centre.
The Left veteran was speaking after inaugurating a symposium for government officials organised by the state Information Commission.
"This is dangerous...Now, we are seeing attempts to hold sway over the Constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission. These will all fundamentally weaken our democratic system," Vijayan elaborated.
Urging people and officials to be vigilant against such practises, he also stressed the need for bringing reforms in the RTI Act in accordance with the changing time.
The present law should be implemented in a more responsible and people-friendly manner, he said.
"The RTI Act can play a great role in making the corrupt-free democratic system a reality," he said.
Describing government officials as public servants, the chief minister further urged them to deliver their duties after imbibing the real meaning of the content of the Constitution and it's preamble.
Kerala now has the distinction of being the least corrupt state in the country and efforts should be made to root out the menace from the state completely, he said.
Both people and officials have equal responsibility in the mission to end corrupt practises completely, the chief minister added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Six arrested in Bengaluru drug racket; narcotics worth Rs 20 crore seized
Bengaluru: Six persons have been arrested for allegedly procuring banned narcotic substances at low prices and selling them for profit, with college students among the buyers, police said on Tuesday.
Police seized 8 kg 58 g of MDMA, 5 kg 700 g of hydro ganja, four mobile phones, and a car used to transport the drugs. The total value of the seized items is estimated at Rs 10.05 crore, while the market value is around Rs 20.10 crore, The Times of India reported.
The arrests followed searches carried out at various locations based on specific intelligence inputs.
Police said information had been received about the sale of banned drugs, including MDMA and hydro ganja, within the limits of Yeshwanthpur and Nandini Layout police stations.
“During these operations, six individuals were detained on different dates, two from other states and four locals,” a statement issued by the office of City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said.
“Upon interrogation, the accused confessed that they were purchasing banned drugs such as MDMA and hydro ganja at low prices from unknown inter-state and local suppliers and selling them to the public, with college students among the buyers, for profit,” the statement added.
Police said efforts are underway to identify and trace the suppliers involved in the network.
All six accused have been produced before a court on different dates and remanded to judicial custody, police said.
