Daily News Mail

CIC may take action against political parties

• In June, 2013 Central Information Commission ruled that six national parties - the Congress, the BJP, the CPI, The CPI(M), the BSP and the NCP should be classified as public authorities as they enjoy substantial public funding, and the RTI Act be applicable to them.
• But eighteen months later, the parties have not complied with the order. Neither did they seek any revision nor did they move any competent court. The political parties also are not sending their representatives on the hearing of parties' non-compliance to the CIC order.

Drawbacks of NJAC

• The legislature has already passed the Constitution (121st Amendment) Bill,2014 that would be the 90th Amendment to the Constitution and National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, 2014 to regulate the procedure for recommending the transfer and  appointment of Chief Justices and Judges of the Apex Court and 24 High Courts, is pending notification.
• The National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), a six-member bodies headed by the Chief Justice of India, and also includes two senior-most judges of the Supreme Court, the Union Minister of Law and Justice and two 'eminent persons' selected by a committee comprising the Prime Minister, the CJI and the Leader of the Opposition.
• Three of the six-member bodies are judges, hence a decision of the Commission can be vetoed by any two members. The fear is that the NJAC may encourage High Court judges to give pro-government decision with the object gaining promotion to the Supreme Court.
• Transparency is much required in the appointment of judges by the NJAC.
• The NJAC may suffer Judicial Activism, if the entire process is not transparent and it may prove to be pro-government body instead of pro-people body.

Marathi being considered for classical language status

• The Center is considering proposal to make Marathi classical language of India.
• Presently we have, 6 languages in the list of Classical Languages of India - Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Odiya.

Coal Workers called strike off

• The biggest industrial strikes in 30 years by coal workers has been called-off.
• The strike has led to zero coal stocks at third of the 50 thermal plants across the country. Hence, calling-off strike will bring relief to the power sector.
• The Strike was called against the Coal Mines(Special Provisions) Ordinance, 2014, which will allow the private firms to mine and sell coal blocks.
• The strike was called off after Coal Minister Piyush Goyal and Coal India Limited (CIL) Chairman Sutirtha Bhattacharya met representatives of five Central trade unions.
• However, details of the terms and conditions of the agreement reached between government and unions has not been shared.