New Delhi, January 27 (PTI): The imposition of Presidents rule in crisis-hit Arunachal Pradesh today came under the scanner of the Supreme Court which sought the report of Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa recommending central rule in the state, saying "it is too serious a matter".
The remark by a five-judge bench headed by Justice J S Khehar came when Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi raised a preliminary objection contending that the notification on promulgation of Presidents rule has not been challenged in the fresh plea.
The bench asked the Attorney General not to raise "technical objections" when he persisted with his plea arguing that "rules are rules" and they apply equally to all.
It posted the matter for February one asking the Governor and the Ministry of Home Affairs to file responses by Friday on petitions filed by Congress leaders including the plea of Rajesh Tacho, Chief Whip of Congress Legislature party in the state assembly which is now kept under suspended animation.
The bench allowed the petitioners to amend their plea by Friday.
When Additional Solicitor General Satpal Jain, appearing for the Governor, sought to maintain secrecy of the report and the recommendation for the Presidents rule, the bench said, "He will only mention the date of report recommending Presidents rule to opposite parties during the course of the day."
However, the bench for its own perusal sought in a sealed cover the report and recommendation on imposition of the Presidents rule.
"Unless we get the grounds for recommending the Presidents rule, we cannot proceed. If grounds are not same in the proclamation then it is totally a different ball game," the bench, also comprising justices Dipak Misra, M B Lokur, P C Ghose and N V Ramana, said during the hearing.
The bench was also of the view that no interim order can be obtained unless the parties see the grounds for proclamation for Presidents rule.
A battery of senior lawyers including Fali S Nariman, Kapil Sibal, Rajeev Dhawan and Vivek Tankha opposed the plea of governor seeking to maintain secrecy of his report and recommendation, saying that larger bench of more than five judges have alreadey laid down the proposition on this aspect.
Ensure law and order: Arunachal governor to officials
Itanagar, January 27 (IANS): After taking over the reins in Arunachal Pradesh which has been put under President's Rule, Governor J.P. Rajkhowa has directed officials to ensure that there is no law and order problem in the state, an official said here on Wednesday.
On Tuesday night, the governor chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials, including Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi, and reviewed the overall law and order situation after President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to the union cabinet's recommendation for President's Rule in the north-eastern state. "The governor advised the officers to ensure that there is no law and order and security problem in the state and laws must be enforced in letter and spirit for safeguarding the interest of the common people," Raj Bhavan spokesperson Atum Potom said.
President Mukherjee on Tuesday approved the union cabinet's recommendation to impose central rule in Arunachal Pradesh and keep the assembly in suspended animation. Rajkhowa directed the chief secretary to issue a circular to all departments and offices to maintain utmost transparency in decision-making and execution of various work and to take firm action against corruption. "Good governance and corruption-free administration must be ensured under President's Rule, as expected by the people of Arunachal Pradesh," Rajkhowa was quoted as saying.
On financial matters, the governor advised the officers to give priority to payment of salaries and allowances to government employees and pension to retirees. He stressed the need to ensure that the development process did not suffer.
Rajkhowa assured the officers that he would take up any financial issues or other matters pending with the central government to expedite development in the state.
Tuki sure of proving majority
New Delhi, January 27 (PTI): Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing a Congress petition challenging imposition of President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh, former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki expressed confidence that he could prove his majority in the state Assembly. "Of course, we can prove our majority in the House," he tweeted. "We know truth never fails and the right always emerge victorious," he said in another post on the microblogging website. The Centre had on Tuesday brought Arunachal Pradesh under President's rule and kept the Assembly under suspended animation after more than a month of political turmoil.
