Court order comes in response to petition challenging Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023. SC asks states, UTs to revert to 'dictionary definition' of forests while preparing records.
Justice Khanna was among 5 SC judges who struck down Electoral Bond Scheme. In his opinion, he questioned Centre's claim that scheme aimed to protect donors from retaliation, retribution.
While striking down electoral bond scheme, Supreme Court suggested using electoral trusts introduced by Congress-led UPA, calling it an 'effective alternative' for political donations.
Both bodies flagged concerns before scheme's introduction, fearing it may be seen as 'facilitating' money laundering or that it could violate provisions under Representation of People Act.
Striking down electoral bonds scheme, SC said ‘chief reason for corporate funding of political parties is to influence political process which may in turn improve company’s performance’.
CJI-led bench disagrees with Centre’s argument that it is justified to infringe Right to Information of voters for larger purpose of curbing black money in electoral financing.
Supreme Court in its electoral bonds judgment observed that political 'contributions enhance access to legislators which translates into influence over policymaking'.
Verdict, which comes ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, says scheme violates right to information of citizens about possible quid pro quo between donor & political party receiving donation.
The scheme, notified by the government in 2018, was pitched as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties as part of efforts to bring in transparency in political funding.
With 20.2 percent of its total loans in default by the end of last year, Bangladesh had the weakest banking system in Asia. Despite reforms, it will take time to recover.
This world is being restructured and redrawn by one man, and what’s his power? It’s not his formidable military. It’s trade. With China, it turned on him.
COMMENTS