Mallu Swarajyam, a fighter of Telangana pesant armed struggle (1946-51 ) lived up to 91 years and breathed her last in Hyderabad on March 19, 2022. *** Her father wanted to name her Samrajyam in praise of British empire. Her mother Chokkamma thought in her own away, and gave an independent name, ‘Swarajyam,‘ (the self-rule). Those were the days[Read More…]
Privacy continues to be the most frequent excuse for stonewalling the information questions. In Maharashtra, the State Information Commissioner (SIC) directed the public authority to give information to an applicant about the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) report. While the government approached the High Court to reverse the SIC order, the applicant wanted the High Court through a separate writ petition to[Read More…]
With four parameters, the gender gap in 156 nations was studied in 2021. It says it will take 135.6 years to bridge the gender gap worldwide… India is at 140th rank among 156 nations. It has slipped 28 places.. It is unfortunate that India was rated as one of the most dangerous places for women in the world.. The problem[Read More…]
On the complaint of a BJP MP, two newspapers got a notice from the Privileges Committee of Parliament for alleged ‘breach’ of privilege, for the comments published on the PM’s speech in Parliament. Earlier, the TRS moved a motion of Privilege against the PM, for his remark on the passage of bifurcation Bill to divide AP. What is a privilege,[Read More…]
Govt raising burden on a large section of people, while easing taxes on super-rich On June 10, 2008, the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization. On November 26, 2007, the UN General Assembly declared that 20th February will be celebrated every year as the World Day of Social Justice, also known[Read More…]
Seizure of drugs worth Rs 21,000 crore from a private port is a serious question that demands a very deep probe into all connected affairs. A Gujarat Special Court has raised a very substantive question. Indeed, it was a welcome measure that on September 25, the special court for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in Gujarat has directed the Directorate[Read More…]
The statement of APSEZ(Adani Ports) that it will not deal with the containers from Iran Pakistan, and Afghanistan inadvertently confirms the earlier transactions and raises suspicion that huge quantum of drugs might have gained surreptitious entry into our nation. At first instance Adani Ports said that it has no policing power, later it says that it does not want to[Read More…]
And if this is called Dharma Sansad, there is no other Adharma one can imagine. State’s silence or tacit response, police officer laughing along with accused, which appeared in another viral video also add to the ‘hate’ the state does not want to prevent or punish. *** Our Constitution in the Article 19(1)(a) guaranteed that all citizens of India shall[Read More…]
Justice Krishna Iyer said that “the project Aadhaar should not be implemented for it amounts to an assault on privacy and basic rights of individuals and is suited only for fascist nations.” Famous Supreme Court Judge V R Krishna Iyer on November 3, 2011 released the first critique book titled “AADHAAR; How a Nation is Deceived,” authored by P B[Read More…]
The States are primarily responsible for the welfare of the residents in their limits. The 105th Constitution Amendment that has been notified on August 19, 2021 aims at giving States back their authority to specify socially and educationally backward classes (OBCs). The 102nd amendment gave constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Communities (NCBC) which became the primary institution[Read More…]
That way reciting the Constitution’s Preamble has been transformed from text to socially dynamic statement… Against this new method of agitation, authorities slapped various criminal charges including sedition, arrested several protestors and strongly opposed their bail petitions. *** We celebrated 72nd Constitution Day on 26th November 2021. Two months before Republic Day (26 January 1950), the Constitution was finalised and[Read More…]
The three farmer laws, that were once named “reform package,” will go out of statute book through a cabinet resolution and a bill to repeal in Parliament, as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. That should have been the end of agitation. The best course for the farmers leaders is to go to negotiation table and press for real reforms[Read More…]
Seizure of books before publication is a worst restriction than pre-censorship, which is not permitted under fundamental rights of our Constitution. But it happened recently in Telangana. Right to think, right to write, right to read and right to publish are significant components of freedom of speech and expression which cannot be deprived of without approved constitutional grounds. Prohibition of[Read More…]
A Government Order (GO) is an administrative decision of the government regarding a policy, programme or official activity. The Right to Information Act 005 under Section 4 mandates governments to maintain all their records duly catalogued and indexed in a manner and the form which facilitates the right to information under the Act and facilitate access to such records. Public[Read More…]
Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act made it an inescapable duty of every public authority to furnish 17 categories of information on their own, without anybody seeking it. The illegal circular of Telangana govt that no information could be given without permission of principal secretary is illegal; it needs to be withdrawn immediately, as it seriously undermines the transparency and[Read More…]
Telugu States lose Rivers Godavari and Krishna : The Centre has usurped all the powers of the State governments over all the irrigation projects (35 on Krishna basin and 71 on Godavari) with reference to all functions. People of Telangana agitated for more than half century against inequitable distribution of Krishna and Godavari river waters between the sub-regions of Andhra[Read More…]
We call Gandhi as Father of our nation, who preached non-violence, but police stations remain mothers of custodial violence throughout the country. *** During 17 years till 2018, 1727 persons died in custodial violence in India. Just they were killed. According to data released by National Crime Records Bureau NCRB, 26 policemen were convicted. Some critics described only 26 are[Read More…]
Whether PM-CARES did not care for RTI? We get this doubt because PMO refused to give information about the thousands of crores of rupees of public money given into the accounts of government-controlled PM CARES fund. An under-secretary of PMO in Government of India filed affidavit on behalf of PM CARES before Delhi High Court on September 23 and claimed[Read More…]
Raju’s death and version of suicide, in Telangana on September16 , is questioned by human rights activists, women groups, public spirited lawyers as also by the mother and wife of the killed suspect. It may not be just a coincidence, but dead body was found within a day after a Minister declared that certainly the suspect will be ‘encountered’ following[Read More…]
Even as the parliament was lost in protests on Pegasus, the Modi Govt pushed the Bills on Tribunals, with contents rejected by the Supreme Court. The bench of Chief Justice of India and two judges put the government on the dock about the complete absence of material justifying the Bill and also the lack of proper debate in the Parliament[Read More…]
The civil society is now grappled with new expressions like “brownfield investment” which means a company or government entity takes over the existing production facilities to facilitate launching a new production activity. Best example for this financial resource strategy is ‘foreign direct investment.’ An alternative expression to this is a ‘greenfield investment,‘ wherein a fresh plant is constructed. In the[Read More…]
On August 18, the Supreme Court rejected another attempt of the banks to wriggle out of accountability and responsibility under Right to Information Act. Surprisingly the Central Government joins these petitioners. Whom are they facilitating- the scamsters, big loan defaulters etc? Then why dacoits and way side robbers should be jailed? It is the basic principle of good governance that[Read More…]
Rational thinking and scientific truths will have disastrous consequences sometimes where authoritarian state and irrational society turn into serious enemies. The All India Peoples Science Network, a network of over 40 Peoples Science Movements, has declared August 20 as the National Scientific Temper Day. The reason is lack of reasoned thinking. Greek philosopher Socrates was given death sentence, which he[Read More…]
All powers to Centre… and all responsibilities or liabilities are thrust on the heads of the states. The Centre has usurped all the powers of the State Governments over all the irrigation projects (35 on Krishna basin and 71 on Godavari). How can Union take over the complete ownership of two rivers and impose entire liabilities on two states? It[Read More…]
Water is a State subject. But Centre misinterpreted its common jurisdiction in Concurrent List and provisions of AP Reorganisation Act 2014, which nowhere stated that Centre could take away the rivers. The Centre issued a notification from New Delhi, on July 15, with number: S.O. 2842 (E) which has serious implications for two Telugu States- Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It[Read More…]
“There were 1,307 cases registered by the police, in the last 6 years, under Section 66A of Information Technology Act, 2000, after Supreme Court declared it as unconstitutional… … The police and prosecutors, who are perpetuating this abuse, should be jailed for contempt of court. There should be a severe disciplinary action against the magistrates for framing charges under this[Read More…]
“…these are fundamental rights from a police constable’s point of view and not from the point of view of a free and fighting nation. Here whatever right is given is taken away by a proviso. Sardar Patel would punish us if we make a speech, but Rajaji would punish us even before we have made the speech…”- Somnath Lahiri, during[Read More…]
After NIA’s contentions, the special court has rejected the request for sipper. The judge did not ask NIA to prove the genuineness of their claim that nothing was confiscated by them..and without asking why you need 20 days to say yes or no to sipper request? Is it because a sipper in the hands of Parkinson patient is threat to[Read More…]
Almost all anti-CAA protestors are terrorists according to the Government of India and Governments of the states ruled by BJP or NDA coalition partner… the police in this state or that state go on registering false cases and make the innocent citizen to suffer the trauma of appeals up to Supreme Court. Specific directions from the Supreme Court that such[Read More…]
The rule of law is under a serious challenge since the inception of Constitution of India, as far as killings in police custody are concerned. The Supreme Court recently ordered installation of CCTV cameras in every place of custodial activity under the control of the police. But it appears no state or no police personnel have taken a serious note[Read More…]
The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, published on 25 February 2021 under the Information Technology Act, 2000 will have a chilling effect on the freedom of expression of ordinary individuals, social media writers and the journalists working in print and electronic media. The Government of India is trying to usurp the power of Parliament[Read More…]
Lawless Intimidation : “These allegations against Aisha Sultana cannot make even the prima facie charge of sedition, as per the definition and judicial interpretation of Section 124A of IPC.” “Despite the severe criticism of the Centre for its gross abuse of the draconian British law of sedition, and Supreme Court’s admonition, the behaviour of rulers did not change.” ***[Read More…]
Dominic Xavier offers his take on Parliament passing a bill equating the Delhi government with the lieutenant governor and not Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party elected government. .. In 2014, after BJP came to power in Centre winning all seven seats in Lok Sabha from Delhi, they thought NCT also will come under their rule. But to their great surprise,[Read More…]
The pandemic- tobacco is killing around 40 lakh people every year in India alone, while corona killed 3.29 lakh only so far from first and second waves. There was an interesting question before Supreme Court, whether a person has a right to die. That led to another question whether ‘life’ includes ‘death’. What is life? The line between two dots[Read More…]
Raju did indulge in dirty and divisive politics, but being rich and powerful, in the high profile case, he managed to get bail that is denied to many others, due to “timidity”… There is a huge debate in media including TV, print and social media platforms about achievement of bail order to Member of Parliament from Andhra Pradesh, Raghurama Krishnam[Read More…]
There is a very wide supply-demand gap, from a market perspective… Even if we secure necessary stocks of vaccine in near future, its cost and affordability will be real challenges. We have a wonderful government which strangely thinks only SII and BB would produce and ignore several PSU and private vaccine makers in India. ‘Vasudhaivaka Kutumbakam’ is yet another Sanskrit[Read More…]
The Madras HC reminded the Election Commission that it was the “the most irresponsible institution” and even said its officials may be booked under murder charges…Causing death by negligence or recklessness by refusing to see the killer virus is murder strictly as per the definition in IPC. Please read Sections 299 and 300 of Indian Penal Code which is working[Read More…]
The Supreme Court had rightly taken suo moto cognisance on 30th April of unruly attack on social media freedom from pro-ruling party forces. A tweet was calling out the difference in attitudes towards the Tablighi Jamaat event in 2020 and the Kumbh Mela. The Supreme Court gave a welcome direction on social media freedom. It ordered: “The Central Government and[Read More…]
By April 2020, Centre knew that oxygen generated in India is not at all sufficient if the demand is increased and all formal requirements were completed to sanction and establish the Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) Oxygen plants in 150 District Hospitals across the nation… From April to October in 2020, the Government machinery did not act. It took the Narendra[Read More…]
Covid-19 is a national calamity and a country-wide problem… Fundamental right guaranteed vide Article 21: the right to life which in its broad sweep also includes right to good health…Health care should not only be accessible but also be conveniently affordable to all the citizens. The core obligation of the State in securing the right to life to all its[Read More…]
After imposing executive controls over the Over The Top (OTT) streaming media, the Centre has inflicted yet another blow on cinema medium… Either the producer must silently suffer or move to High Court and wait years for ‘justice’. This is a new kind of censorship of effective medium, a burden on producer and a blow to cinema. *** The BJP-led[Read More…]
It is almost impossible to prove ‘bribery’ at the top level of governance, especially to punish a minister or a police officer or even a Chief Minister, because the criminal justice system demands evidence of very high standard, i.e. beyond reasonable doubt. The media gives a misleading headline whenever a charged public servant is acquitted in a corruption case that[Read More…]
“In its present form, the NRC is basically a Rs1,600 crore waste paper that drove many to suicide, made thousands of poor people poorer and be in perpetual fear of being ejected from their homes.” In the entire country, Assam is the only State having National Register of Citizens compiled, wherein more than 19 lakhs that were left out of[Read More…]
The levels of academic freedom we have in India now, is not unknown to many of us. Accordingly, in 2020, the U.S. NGO Freedom House has down-ranked India’s academic freedom score from three to two out of a possible four, “due to rising intimidation in recent years that is aimed at controlling academic discussion of politically sensitive topics.” The abuse[Read More…]
The Information Technology Act, Section 79 provided that the intermediaries are not liable for the content generated by users. The text is, “an intermediary shall not be liable for any third-party information, data, or communication link made available or hosted by him.” This immunity is made subject to adherence of rules made by the Government. Using this authority, the Government[Read More…]
Besides granting bail to Octogenarian poet Varavara Rao, one of the most important judicial actions that happened recently is grant of bail to Disha Ravi, who should be remembered on International Women’s Day of 2021. Disha and Varavara Rao were incarcerated for opposing the government’s policies, without proper evidence. The serious threat to personal liberty can only be averted with[Read More…]
“Who goes to the court? You go to the court and regret. It is those who can afford to take chances, like the big corporates, who approach the courts,” – former CJI Ranjan Gogoi . It is the gospel truth of the present situation. It came out from none other than former Chief Justice of India. Justice Gogoi surprised the[Read More…]
The RTI Act and general ethics of administration demands the transparency about any selection or recruitment for public office. The Department of Personnel and Training rules and Office Memoranda also guide the CPIOs to place entire record of recruitments and promotions and transfers in the public domain on their own. Lok Palis an anti-corruption institution which is supposed to decide[Read More…]
Visakhapatnam, the steel city (Ukku Nagaram, the name assumed because of steel plant) has woken up to this decision of the Centre (for 100 per cent strategic disinvestment ) without consulting anybody. Its people, employees of VSP and the trade unions came together and voiced together for withdrawal of the decision to disinvest the Government’s share in VSP. The Centre’s[Read More…]
Mahatma Gandhi fought the British and their sedition case, invented Satyagraha (righteous indignation) and laid down his life for communal unity. He might have never imagined that the British weapon of sedition law would be used against Satyagrahis in Independent India. He strongly opposed bad laws and awakened the nation saying non-cooperation with evil is equal to cooperation with good.[Read More…]
January 11 remains a great day in the current history of the Supreme Court when it strongly stood by the agitating farmers. Chief Justice of India Mr Justice Sharad A Bobde was humane, highly reasonable and was in right form in questioning the political executive’s complete failure in dealing with the farmers agitation against its unconstitutional laws. But the interim[Read More…]
Parliament, despite its Constituent power under Article 368 to amend the Constitution, cannot legislate on state subjects, even if two-thirds of its members and half of states agree. Leaving agriculture to States is substantive part of federal character which is basic feature of the Constitution. The doctrine of basic structure laid down by Supreme Court in 1973 prevents Parliament to[Read More…]
An affidavit full of contradictions, a strategy to humiliate a retiring judge, transfer of Chief Justices of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with shamelessly parti(y)-san division of media, show the dire need to protect the majesty of judicial system. The tendency of using the Constitutional courts for political reasons and threatening the Justices if favourable orders are not given, is increasing.[Read More…]
It is a threat to food security. It has potential to make owners of agriculture land up to five acres, slaves and sub-servants of corporate agricultural contractors. It deprives annadaatas of the State support. Illustration by DOMINIC XAVIER, Courtesy : Rediff.com The majority of population did not understand these simple consequences, so-called educated are refusing to apply their minds, but[Read More…]
On December 10, we celebrated Universal Declaration of Human Rights ‘Who will police the police’ is a big question for which the world could not give any answer till today. But Supreme Court on 2 December 2020 tried to find a solution to this problem in CCTV cameras, which probably can police the police. On December 10, we celebrated Universal[Read More…]
Whether Government of India is extending its censorship power to news and current affairs’? The notification by President Ramnath Kovind extends the power to pre-censor cinema content on the Internet platform. At the same time, does it surreptitiously attempt to censor news and current affairs also? The Constitution of India authorised[Read More…]
Recently Justice K Chandru, wrote an article explaining how in the beginning the Chief Justice of India responded to complaints by Bar Association against a sitting Judge of Andhra Pradesh High Court . Former Judge of Madras High Court Justice Chandru pointed out that there were complaints against AP HC Judge Justice P Chandra Reddy, and the then Chief Justice[Read More…]
The journalists, critics and social media writers today are facing false cases foisted by the State and Police. A senior journalist is fighting a sedition case for criticising the Centre’s policies . A doctor in the Government Hospital was victim of abuse of the state power but rescued by the High Court. One news web portal Telugu One.com is out[Read More…]
The Supreme Court long back stated in a landmark judgment State of Uttar Pradesh v. Raj Narain and Others, “… people of this country have a right to know every public act, everything that is done in a public way by their public functionaries. The Supreme Court long back stated in a landmark judgment State of Uttar Pradesh v.[Read More…]
Allahabad High Court pointed out how the detention of Dr Kafeel Khan was bad, not based on material, without reading the complete text of speech against CAA, and ordered his release. The Supreme Court requested the Allahabad High Court on August 11, to decide the question of release of Kafeel Khan, as early as possible. A campaign to release[Read More…]
The link between the NRC and the CAA is through amendment to Rules under Foreigners’ Order. The Rule 3A (6) added by Amendment to Foreigners Order 1964 in 2019 says: The district magistrate may also refer to the Tribunal for its opinion the question as to whether the appellant is a foreigner or not within the meaning of the Foreigners[Read More…]
In the 70-year Republic, the public of India are burdened to prove their citizenship under NRC rules, prove place and birth of their parents under NPR, or face the CAA 2019. With CAA, the citizens might end up in Detention Centres. The 2015 and 2016 notifications under the Foreigners Act and Passport (Entry into India) Rules 1950 regularised the stay[Read More…]
There are ten great claims, which can easily be proved baseless. There are ten great claims, which can easily be proved baseless. By the time the reader verifies the claim, the untruth travels long and their IT or social media managers, print and electronic media agents and PR teams will make it viral. Some claims made by Constitutional office holders[Read More…]
The Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 of India is discriminatory on several grounds. It does not promote equality but violates it. It destroys the secular character and Article 14, as ‘religion’ is made basis of discrimination. India did not include all neighbouring countries to fast track citizenship grant to immigrants. Sri Lanka is a significant exclusion, because of which Hindus and[Read More…]
The National Register for Citizens (NRC), that created havoc among the lives of 19 lakh people in Assam, if extended to entire India, what will happen to 130 crore people? How many of them could prove their citizenship? In the 70th year of Indian Republic, the people are burdened to prove that they are citizens of India. Top constitutional authorities[Read More…]
If one considers the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) alone, it appears that the Centre is providing some concessions to ‘immigrants’ coming from three neighbouring Islamic nations into India, classifying them as religious minorities persecuted in those nations, to secure citizenship in India. The concession offered is that if they reside six years in India, it will be enough to get[Read More…]
In Disha rape case of Hyderabad, which shook the nation, the delay in registering FIR is an important issue that may weaken the conviction of the dreaded criminals. The investigation into crime cannot be delayed even by a minute in the interests of law and order. Jurisdiction or lack of it cannot be a lame excuse! Police and the people[Read More…]
The Supreme Court decided its appeal. The Constitution Bench of five judges settled its own doubts by declaring that the judiciary as such is a public authority and hence answerable under Right to Information Act, on 13th November 2019. This is special because it was deciding the appeals filed by its own officers. One can also criticise that Supreme Court[Read More…]
Another Bill that gives more powers to bureaucrats at the Centre over interstate river basins is going to become law. Here the Chief Ministers of States of 13 river basins will advise. Another Bill that gives more powers to bureaucrats at the Centre over interstate river basins is going to become law. Here the Chief Ministers of States of 13[Read More…]
‘No matter what views one may hold, the 21st century shall belong only to a people of ‘vision’ and those who care for future,’ wrote Satish Chandra Seth, (1932-2009) the futurist and former civil servant. A science education administrator, Satish is internationally known for inventing a method of assessing the futurist thinking, called Satish-Harva method of scenario building. He was[Read More…]
‘Though water is a State subject, inter-State rivers and river valleys fall under the Union List to ‘the extent to which such regulation and development under the control of the Union, is declared by Parliament by law to the expedient in the public interest’. Parliament can make law, but with an objective to expedite dispute resolution. Such a law, the[Read More…]
The federalism of Indian Constitutional governance is facing serious challenge from an unexpected front this time, i.e., the river front. Three Bills are presented by the Centre in the recently concluded session: a) River Basin Management Bill, 2019 proposing 13 River Basin Authorities for various river basins in our country, b) River Water Disputes Bill, 2019, to have a dispute[Read More…]
A poet and literary personality, Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, present Minister for HRD authored around 60 books in Hindi. During the 90s, the Open International University (OIU) of Colombo conferred a D. Litt for his contribution in literature. Prior to that also he received a D. Litt degree from the same university for contributions in the field of science. It[Read More…]
If there is any weapon that protects democracy, it is freedom to express a critical opinion. Every democratic Constitution must facilitate, declare and protect the people’s right to tell, write, represent, petition and challenge constitutionality of a policy that curbs expression en bloc. The fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) is not only exercised by journalists and TV anchors. En mass[Read More…]
It is not just Article 370, the President’s Order has also amended Article 367, changing the substantive character of an important provision besides abolishing the entire Constitution of Jammu & Kashmir. Article 370 is meant for preserving autonomy for Jammu & Kashmir, leaving decision-making power regarding relationship with the Centre to the State’s Constituent Assembly. It is a serious limitation[Read More…]
Why three Chief Ministers- Biju Patnaik (Odisha), K Chandrasekhar Rao (Telangana) and Y S Jaganmohan Reddy (Andhra Pradesh) have shown greater loyalty to NDA than the NDA Chief Ministers in helping the BJP to push through the controversial RTI Amendments Bill 2019, is a big political question. (See open Letter to three CMs below.) Why three Chief Ministers- Biju Patnaik[Read More…]
(Karnataka Assembly meets agai on July 22, Monday, to continue discussion on Confidence Motion moved by the Chief Minister. This was written before the discussion commenced. ) For those in power it is easy to bribe and being bribed without any fear of legal action. Rulers need not worry about rule of law. Defection-engineers in Karnataka no more ask MLAs[Read More…]
A draconian draft forest law of NDA is about to hit federal character of Indian Union. It will be an affront to the federation and threat to right to life of forest dwellers. Forest Act, 1927 is claimed to have aimed at protection of forests. In that name, the Forest officers have assumed higher powers over the forest dwellers and[Read More…]
There is an easy way of denying rights or declaring a rightful tribal an encroacher : Just deny him the information within time. There is an easy way of denying rights or declaring a rightful tribal an encroacher. Just deny him the information within time. He is evicted from the forest where he was dwelling for generations. Delay the order[Read More…]
Right to worship is an exclusive fundamental right. It is also part of freedom of expression, to praise anybody or criticise. Citizens have every right to point out defects of Gandhi and endorse reasons given by Godse for his act of elimination of Gandhi. We, the people are variety of desh bhakths. We love and worship, whomever we like. Perhaps,[Read More…]
Is opposition becoming extinct in India? With the kind of politics we are witnessing, one wonders whether the Opposition will be ‘extinct’ from the field of political bio-diversity? While decisive results ensured the YSR Congress Party in Andhra Pradesh and BJP (NDA) at the Centre steer the destiny of people for the coming five years, we find the Opposition in[Read More…]
‘King can do no wrong’ days have gone, and the RBI is not a king. Despite noticing wilful defiance of the RBI, the apex court was very kind to it in contempt cases, but if the later does not withdraw this anti-transparency policy again, it might face the ire of people and courts. The RBI should explain why it wants[Read More…]
Highlights A class-III court staff’s allegation of sexual harassment against the Chief Justice of India has shaken up the apex court’s elite leadership. A class-III court staff’s allegation of sexual harassment against the Chief Justice of India has shaken up the apex court’s elite leadership. People are wondering whether institutional reaction reflects due process or heavy imposition on the victim[Read More…]
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is at the centre of serious controversies in pre-election 2019 dynamics of political decisions. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is at the centre of serious controversies in pre-election 2019 dynamics of political decisions. It’s uses if not abuses, by the party in power, now or in past, is harming its credibility. Its ‘independence’ is no[Read More…]
(This is the last in a series of six articles published on RTI by Madabhushi Sridhar.) Madabhushi Sridhar Acharyulu, who recently retired as Central Information Commissioner, is one of India’s most resolute advocates for transparency, and for strengthening citizens’ right to information. Acharyulu, 65, was a professor of law at the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research University of[Read More…]
As per transparency law, the people have the right to know the details of appointment to a public position, from the President to an ordinary clerk in a government office As per transparency law, the people have the right to know the details of appointment to a public position, from the President to an ordinary clerk in a government office.[Read More…]
The reading of Sections 7 and 19 of the RTI Act makes it clear that the RTI Act is a time-bound legislation for effectively exercising the Fundamental Right to Information guaranteed in Article 19 of the Constitution of India. However, the CIC and SICs which are the final appellate authorities under the RTI Act, and are the guardians of the[Read More…]
Prof Dr M Sridhar Acharayalu, who retired as Central Information Commissioner on 20 November 2018. RTI Act is the best enactment, but it is not giving best results in securing the access to public records. Why? The problem is that neither the Central government in respect of CIC nor the State government in respect of SICs, are filling the vacancies[Read More…]
Prof Dr M Sridhar Acharayalu, who retired as Central Information Commissioner on 20 November 2018, wrote an open letter to Ram Nath Kovind, the President of India. In this letter, Prof Acharyulu has raised serious questions on how the government itself had filed almost 1,700 writ petitions against orders passed by information commissioners under Right to Information (RTI) Act.[Read More…]
The Union government proposed setting up of two committees – one to receive and decided on complaints against the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and the second one for complaints against the Information Commissioners. (Madabhushi, former Central Information Commissioner, wrote a series of articles on attempts by governments, at the Centre and in States, to subvert RTI. This is one of[Read More…]
These Trinity of Telugu personalities gave voters the right to information about contestants: They are petitioner Professor Trilochan Shastry of Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), eminent advocate Padma Bhushan PP Rao and renowned justice of Supreme Court P Venkatram Reddy (with other distinguished colleagues) These Trinity of Telugu personalities gave voters the right to information about contestants: They are petitioner[Read More…]
The CPIO, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), stated that as RTI application was not filed before the PMO, first and second appeals were also not filed before it, the order of CIC directing the PMO to provide action related information on former RBI Governor is not tenable. “…No notice or other documents relating to this case have been received in the[Read More…]
Why should our children die because of tests on the medicines of an American company? Why don’t our Babus bother about ethics and norms in permitting them to conduct such fatal tests, and thus allow US pharma companies to earn millions? It is so strange that none bothers even to compensate the death of children. Doesn’t it amount to[Read More…]
“ A Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) used dignified language to explain the criminality of an American company and support to it by corrupt Indian officials. “They are murders. But we call ‘deaths’ before enquiry and ‘killings’ in conclusion. Most surprising is we do not even give exact number of children killed, we simply say some deaths. This is trivialisation of[Read More…]
The Right to Information (Amendment) Bill 2018 attempts to dilute the independence of Central and State Information Commissioners (ICs) besides giving undue powers to the government of the day to appoint Commissioners with uncertain term and salary. The Bill intends to defeat very purpose of RTI Act 2005 besides an affront to federalism enshrined as basic feature of Indian Constitution.[Read More…]
( “ If a heart patient knows the actual cost of the cardiac stent, he will realise how much the hospital looted him. He should be strong enough to withstand the shock. We don’t know how many suffered heart attack after knowing this exploitation. One small lawyer has to fight against this injustice. Where are the great doctors? Don’t they[Read More…]
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Solitude: A Source of Empowerment 
Dr.K.S.Sharma Turns 90 
The Unholy Origins of Castes in India 
Union Health Ministry placing a cap on new medical colleges in States on the basis of the population criterion violates federalism 
Reflections on the Revolutionary Legacy of Makhan Singh in Kenya 
Armenian civilians flee Nagorno-Karabakh after new offensive by Azerbaijan 
Manipur: a statement of concern and suggestions for peaceful resolution 
Global Leaders Plead for Peace in Ukraine at UN 
Ghosts of the Past: For Israel, War on UNESCO is an Existential Battle 
Keeping Cattle on Public Land Is Bad for People, Cows, Wildlife, and the Planet 
The United States in the World: Making Sense of the Past Forty Years (1981-2023) 
Canadian Youth At Risk and the Discrimination of Marginalized Demographics 
While Searching Worldwide for Terrorists, Uncle Sam Should Also Look in a Mirror 
American Abrams tanks roll into Ukraine 
An open letter to JNU VC – Your association with RSS defies humanism, anti-colonial struggle Indian democracy! 
From Education to Incarceration 
Tunakataa! Saying ‘No’ to Capitalism and Imperialism in Kenya 
Rising Islamophobia and Communal Discord: An Alarming Trend in BJP-Ruled States 
Speak Truth to Power and Pay the Price! 
USA’s Wars Took 12 Million Lives in The Last 25 Years 
My Amma (Malayalam word for Mother) passed away on August 22, 2023 at 3.10 AM. It is always difficult to deal with the passing of a parent, that too one’s mother. I thought the grief would go away. No it didn’t. All those bitter sweet memories won’t go away. At night I lie awake for hours. My friend, guide and[Read More…]
