CPI opposes SC judgement on Ninth Schedule

CPI opposes SC judgement on Ninth Schedule[ 12 Jan, 2007 1903hrs ISTPTI ]

NEW DELHI: Opposing the Supreme Court judgement on the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, the CPI on Friday said it was a safeguard for giving a legal backup to decisions on matters concerning social justice and economic reforms as per the requirements of the society. Commenting on the verdict that certain laws in the Schedule could be open for judicial scrutiny, the party's Central Secretariat said this was "a matter which only the legislature, which represents the will of the people, can decide upon". The cases of abolition of the zamindari system and the 69 per cent reservation in Tamil Nadu were of such nature, the CPI said, asserting that "it would not be correct to subject such cases to judicial review". "The Supreme Court should not assume powers which make it the final arbiter in all such cases. This can have serious and unforeseen implications," the party warned and called for a debate on the verdict. The apex court has ruled that about 250 laws put in the Ninth Schedule for blanket protection against judicial scrutiny would be open to attack if they damage the basic structure of the Constitution or take away fundamental rights.