Cpm Asks Gujral To Drop Judges Appointment Bill

The CPI(M) yesterday criticised the governments move to bring a proposed constitutional amendment bill which will give more powers to the executive on the appointment of judges.

In a letter to Prime Minister IK Gujral, CPI(M) general secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet demanded his immediate intervention to drop the proposal. he wanted the constitution of a national judicial commission for the purpose.

Alluding to the moves of Union law minister Ramakant Khalap with regard to the proposed bill, Surjeet said : At a time when public opinion is exercised about the failure of the executive on many counts, particularly in dealing with cases of corruption, such a move proposed by the government will be short-sighted leading to grave apprehensions about curtailing the independence of the judiciary, Surjeet said.

The proposed bill will restore the pre-1993 position on the appointment of judges, by which the executive would have the final say in the appointments.

Reiterating that the CPI(M) had been advocating the setting up of an independent national judicial commission, he expressed hope that Gujral would immediately intervene to see that this proposal is dropped forthwith and steps initiated for the constitution of such a commission.