Parliamentary panel on holding joint polls to submit report in November

Possibility of new commercial courts for business disputes also discussed

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice headed by EM Sudarsana Natchiappan would submit its report by November this year on the feasibility of conducting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections simultaneously.

The Committee, which is also looking at possibilities of setting up of commercial courts to take up matters involving value of Rs 1 crore and above, is looking at proposals on whether the concerned parties could bear the cost of fast tracking the cases.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai, the former Union Minister said the national and regional political parties were open for having simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and for the state assemblies.

“National political parties and also regional parties, including those in Tamil Nadu seem to be agree for having simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies. But they also wonder whether such a thing is feasible,” he told reporters in Chennai today.

He noted the Election Commission of India had said holding simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and assemblies would reduce the poll expenses drastically.

Natchiappan said the committee would hold consultations with the intelligentsia, smaller political parties and other stakeholders for their views.The Committee today met various political parties and other organisations to get their views on issues including simultaneous polls, setting up of commercial courts to hear disputes involving monetary value of Rs 1 crore and above, changes proposed in the Lok Pal and Lok Ayukta laws.

The committee met political parties in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu and would visit other states in the coming days.

Natchiappan said it may take several years for the idea to be implemented and would require amendments to the Constitution and the Representation of People Act.

“By this November, we plan to give our report on the subject,” he said.

On the commercial courts to hear business disputes involving Rs 1 crore and above, Natchiappan said the proposal was to have separate courts at districts as well as a two-member bench in the high courts.

According to him, one of the views expressed on the proposal was that the litigants should meet the cost involved for fast tracking the cases.