Rajya Sabha passes bill to regulate appointments of CEC, ECs; Oppn walks out
New Delhi, Dec 12: Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed a bill to regulate the appointment and service terms of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners incorporating key amendments like retaining their status at par with Supreme Court judges, upgrading the search committee and inserting a new clause to protect them from court cases while discharging their official duties.
While the bill was passed by a voice vote, opposition members alleged the proposed measure subjugates the poll authority to the Executive and violates the Constitution. They also alleged that it was an attempt to circumvent the Supreme Court order on the appointment of CEC and ECs and walked out of the House, expressing unhappiness over the minister's reply.
When the bill was introduced in the Upper House in August this year, opposition parties and some former CECs had objected to the members of the poll panel being equated to the cabinet secretary. They had claimed that the move would compromise the independence of the institution.
At present, the CEC and fellow ECs enjoy the status of a judge of the Supreme Court. By bringing the amendment, the government has retained that status.
Replying to the debate, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said some amendments have been brought in for rectification in the structure of the search committee, which was earlier proposed to be under the chairmanship of the cabinet secretary.
Instead, it will be under the chairmanship of the law minister with two Union secretaries as members, he added.
He pointed out that under another amendment moved by him, the CEC and other commissioners shall be paid a salary that is equal to the salary of a judge of the Supreme Court.
The bill had earlier proposed that the salary of the CEC and the ECs would be at par with the emoluments of the cabinet secretary.
A new clause related to protection from initiation of legal proceedings against the CEC and ECs for actions taken while carrying out their duties has also been introduced through the amendments, the law minister said.
The new clause comes against the backdrop of the Telangana High Court placing under suspension a special sessions judge in connection with a "direction" given by him to police for registering an FIR against Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and several others, saying the judge acted in "undue haste".
The new clause seeks to prevent such incidents, a functionary said.
Another proposed amendment make it clear that the chief election commissioner shall not be removed from his office except in the manner and on the grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court.
It also states that the other election commissioner shall not be removed from office except on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
These two clarifications are in line with constitutional provisions mentioned in Article 324 dealing with the Election Commission, a former poll panel functionary pointed out.
In his reply, Meghwal noted that the working of the EC has been impartial and it will remain so.
The government is committed to keep it that way, he stressed.
The minister said the new legislation has been necessitated as the earlier Act had weaknesses.
He also rebutted the Opposition's allegations that the bill has been brought to circumvent a judgement of the Supreme Court related to the appointments of CEC and ECs.
"This bill which we have brought is not against the Supreme Court. It has been brought as per the directions given by the Supreme Court. It is per the provisions listed under the Article 324 (2). It also follows the separation of powers as listed under Article 50 of the constitution," Meghwal said.
The bill was brought after the Supreme Court in March ruled that a three-member panel, headed by the Prime Minister and comprising the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India, will select the CEC and ECs till a law is framed by Parliament on the appointment of these commissioners.
As per the bill, the prime minister will head the selection committee with the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet minister as the other two members.
During the debate, Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged the proposed legislation completely negates and violates the very spirit of the Constitution that is enshrined in Article 14.
"It completely negates and subjugates the Election Commission to the authority of the Executive and it does away willingly, maliciously the judgement of the Supreme Court and that is why this law is per se like a stillborn child," he alleged.
Amar Patnaik (BJD) supported the bill and argued that the independence of the CEC has been maintained and there is "no affront to the independence and interference in the election process", as argued by the Opposition members.
After the walkout by the opposition, senior Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav said, "It has now become clear that this government wants to have total control over the Election Commission and wants to tilt the election process in their favour."
"Now there is no scope of holding impartial elections," he claimed.
AAP MP Raghav Chadha alleged it is "not a bill but a bulldozer with which the government has finished the Election Commission's impartiality".
Subhas Chandra Bose Pilli (YSRCP) spoke in Telugu in support of the bill.
DMK member R Girirajan, Mahua Maji (JMM) and Binoy Visvam of CPI opposed the bill.
Various other members including Dinesh Sharma (BJP), K Ravindra Kumar (TDP), Ajit Kumar Bhuyan (Ind), Kavita Patidar (BJP), M Thambidurai (AIADMK), Deepak Prakash (BJP), GK Vasan TMC (M), Ajay Pratap Singh (BJP), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena) and Vandana Chavan (NCP) also participated in the discussion.
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.
Karnataka rolls out climate action plan to tackle global warming: Minister Khandre
Bengaluru (PTI): Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday said that a Karnataka state action plan on climate change has been formulated to mitigate the impact of global warming and climate change, and directions have been issued to ensure its proper implementation.
Speaking after presiding over a seminar on extreme heat and its impact on Bengaluru, organised by the Karnataka Media Academy, he said the Environmental Management and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI), which comes under the environment department, has taken steps to implement the action plan in coordination with various state government departments.
He said training programmes are being organised in cooperation with zilla panchayat offices for district officials and other related institutions regarding the implementation and progress of the Karnataka state action plan on climate change.
The Forest, Ecology and Environment minister said such programmes will be conducted in all 31 districts of Karnataka.
According to a statement issued by the minister’s office, in terms of climate resilience, Khandre said a dedicated radio programme, “Havamaana Mitra” (weather friend), was launched in April 2025 to share information on best practices, and 24 programmes have so far been broadcast on Akashvani.
ALSO READ: Passenger held at BLR airport with hydroponic ganja worth Rs 1.28 crore
He said these efforts aim to create public awareness.
Khandre emphasised that due to global warming and climate change, even seasons are changing today.
“Keeping this in mind, after becoming Forest Minister, I have been making every effort to increase green cover, especially in Bengaluru city,” he said.
He noted that during the last three years, about 11 crore saplings have been planted in the state, and information on their survival rate has been made available on the Forest Department website.
According to him, encroachments on about 250 acres of forest land worth around Rs 10,000 crore in several parts of Bengaluru, including Kothanur, Kadugodi, B M Kaval, and Turahalli, have been cleared.
Thousands of saplings have been planted and groves created on the cleared land, thereby preserving lung spaces essential for Bengaluru city.
The minister also recalled that more than 400 acres of forest land in Peenya plantation had earlier been allotted to the central government-owned HMT for industrial purposes.
He said HMT had sold 160 acres of this land, while 280 acres remain, and a decision has been taken to reclaim it for the department to preserve an essential lung space for Bengaluru. A legal battle is underway, and the case is currently in the Supreme Court.
In addition, he said 444 acres in the Jarakabande area had been allotted to the Indian Air Force. Under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, forest land cannot be diverted without due process. Hence, in 2017, the then Deputy Commissioner cancelled the land allotment.
“Steps are now being taken to reclaim this forest land and preserve the green space,” he said.
Khandre also highlighted that the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Gantiganahalli, where the international air show is held once every two years in Bengaluru, is on forest land.
He said 159 acres in Gantiganahalli village is classified as a reserved forest area.
“If the Air Force submits a proposal for diversion and provides alternative land, this area may be considered for transfer; otherwise, steps will be taken to reclaim it for the forest department,” he said.
“The Indian Air Force is presently using this area as a runway. However, the RTC and mutation records are in the name of the Forest Department, and the land has not been legally converted. Hence, this forest land will be reclaimed,” he said.
He added that the government has resolved to construct a major biological park on 153 acres at Madappanahalli in Bengaluru North taluk, and cabinet approval has been obtained.
“The CM will lay the foundation stone next month. This will be the largest park after Lalbagh and Cubbon Park. It would not be incorrect to call this an achievement of the century,” he said.
