SC to examine plea for political parties publishing their memorandum, rules on their websites
_vb_12.jpeg)
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court said on Monday it will issue certain directions following a plea urging the Election Commission to ensure that every political party publishes its memorandum, rules and regulations on its website.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and Joymalya Bagchi, which issued notice to the Centre and the Election Commission (EC) on an application filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, said, “Unless there are very strong impediments, we would like to issue certain directions”.
The bench asked Upadhyay, who appeared in-person, to remind the court about it on the next date of hearing.
The top court also told Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, appearing for the Centre, that the petition has some “meaningful prayers” and asked him to seek instructions from the EC on the issues raised in the plea.
The interlocutory application filed by Upadhyay on his pending PIL sought direction to the poll panel to ensure that every political party publishes its memorandum, rules and regulations on the home page of its official website and place the compliance report before the court.
It also sought a direction to the EC to ensure that every political party follows its memorandum, rules and regulations in letter and spirit of Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act and place compliance reports before the court.
On September 12, the top court agreed to examine the plea seeking a direction to the poll panel to frame rules for registration and regulation of political parties to promote secularism, transparency and political justice.
It had issued notice to the Centre, ECI and the Law Commission of India on a plea filed by Upadhyay.
Upadhyay's main plea alleged that "bogus political parties" not only posed a serious threat to democracy but also maligned the country by appointing hardcore criminals, kidnappers, drug smugglers and money launderers as national and state office bearers after taking huge amounts of money from them.
"There are no rules and regulations for political parties. Therefore, many separatists have formed their political party to collect donations. Some office bearers of these parties have succeeded in getting police protection also," the plea said.
Referring to a recent media report, the plea has claimed the income tax department found a "fake" political party that was "converting black money into white by deducting 20 per cent commission".
"Transparency and accountability in the working of political parties are essential in public interest as they perform public function and, therefore, ECI must frame rules and regulations for them," the plea, filed through lawyer Ashwani Kumar Dubey, said.
It has said the apex court has initiated various reforms to bring transparency and probity in public life.
''The move to regulate political parties within the ambit of the Constitution would pave the way for robust democratic functioning," it has said.
Alternatively, the plea sought a direction to the Law Commission of India to examine the best practices of developed democratic countries and prepare a comprehensive report on registration and regulation of political parties to reduce corruption and criminalisation in politics.
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.
No unannounced load shedding in Kerala, outages due to overload, says Minister
Palakkad (PTI): Kerala Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty on Saturday said there was no unannounced load shedding in the state, attributing recent power interruptions to temporary overload caused by high consumption.
Clarifying concerns raised from various parts of the state, the minister said the disruptions are not deliberate but occur when demand peaks, particularly between 10 pm and 11 pm.
"It is not being done intentionally. Power consumption has risen sharply, and when there is excessive and indiscriminate usage, the system experiences overload, leading to natural supply interruptions," he told reporters here.
His remarks come amid complaints that several areas have been witnessing frequent power cuts, often lasting around 15 minutes and occurring multiple times during the night.
Krishnankutty said the state's power demand has crossed 6,195 MW, putting pressure on the supply system. He added that around 70 per cent of Kerala's electricity is procured from outside, and existing power banking arrangements have been exhausted.
"We have approached the Regulatory Commission seeking permission to purchase more power. However, this will come at a higher cost," he said.
The minister said the government is trying to avoid increasing electricity tariffs and urged consumers to exercise restraint in usage to help manage the situation.
Responding to opposition criticism over the ruling LDF's earlier claims of a decade without power cuts, he said the current situation is not unique to Kerala.
A power crisis is emerging across the country, he said, and sarcastically asked the Opposition to take note of the role of natural factors in this.
Krishnankutty expressed confidence that the situation would improve within two days, while cautioning that long-term energy security would depend on enhancing in-state power generation.
He also warned that future generations could face serious challenges if adequate electricity production capacity is not developed within Kerala.
