SC to hear on Nov 11 pleas against law removing CJI from Election Commissioners’ appointment panel
New Delhi: The Supreme Court will hear on November 11 a batch of petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, which excludes the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the panel responsible for appointing Election Commissioners.
The matter was listed before a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi on Monday but could not be taken up due to lack of time. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners, mentioned the matter, requesting that the Court allocate a few hours for hearing. Responding, Justice Kant said the case could be mentioned again on the morning of November 11 so that non-urgent matters could be adjourned for the day.
The bench had earlier agreed to hear the case before the appointment of Gyanesh Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) following the retirement of Rajiv Kumar. Although it was initially scheduled for hearing in February, the matter was not taken up on the listed dates. Subsequently, Gyanesh Kumar’s appointment as CEC on February 17 prompted petitioners to urge for an early hearing, citing alleged violations of the Supreme Court’s Anoop Baranwal judgment.
The petitioners have argued that recent appointments were made in the same manner as before, contrary to the Court’s earlier ruling intended to safeguard the Election Commission’s independence. However, the Supreme Court had declined to stay the operation of the 2023 Act in March 2024.
The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 was enacted by Parliament in December 2023, replacing the system prescribed by the Supreme Court’s March 2023 judgment, which mandated that ECs be appointed by a committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition, and the Chief Justice of India. The new law instead provides for a selection committee consisting of the Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister, and the Leader of Opposition or the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha.
The legislation has been challenged by Congress leader Dr. Jaya Thakur, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), and other petitioners, who contend that removing the CJI from the panel undermines the independence and impartiality of the Election Commission.
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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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