Current Affairs 12th August 2018

Current Affairs 12th August 2018 - Important Points

• President gives assent to bill providing constitutional validity to NCBC on - 11th August 2018
• Rajendra Menon sworn in as Chief Justice of Delhi HC on - 9th August 2018

Current Affairs 12th August 2018 - Details

President gives assent to bill providing constitutional validity to NCBC on - 11th August 2018

President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2018 on August 11th, 2018 that is seeking to provide constitutional status to the NCBC (National Commission for Backward Classes). The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 6th August with an absolute majority and more than two-third majority of the members present and voting. All of the 156 members present in the house voted in favour of the bill.

The Lok Sabha had passed the crucial bill on 2nd August with more than two-third majority, with all 406 members present voting in favour after an almost five-hour long debate.  The House had passed the bill superseding the amendments by the Rajya Sabha.

Important Provisions of the Bill

• The bill provides the granting of constitutional status to the NCBC on par with the National Commission for SCs and STs.
• It also stated that the President may specify the socially and educationally backward classes in the various states and union territories in consultation with the Governor of the concerned state.
• Under the bill’s provisions, all benefits given to the SCs and STs like scholarship will be extended to backward classes too.
• The bill will be providing the NCBC with the powers of a civil court while probing any complaint.
• The duties of the NCBC will be including investigation and monitoring how safeguards provided to the backward classes under the Constitution and other laws are being implemented and probe specific complaints regarding rights violation.

Rajendra Menon sworn in as Chief Justice of Delhi HC on - 9th August 2018

Justice Rajendra Menon sworn in as the new Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court by Lt Governor Anil Baijal during a ceremony held at the Raj Niwas in New Delhi on August 9th, 2018. Justice Menon,ex Chief Justice of Patna High Court, has succeeded Justice Gita Mittal, who was elevated to head the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.

Important Highlights

• The inclusion of Justice Menon won't be added to the depleted number of judges of the Delhi high court.
• The Delhi high court with sanctionable strength of 60 judges, would still be continuing to function with 35 judges even after Justice Menon takes charge.
• Given the low strength of judges, the newly appointed Chief Justice heard 11 matters listed before him on his very first day itself.
• The Justice also told his court staff to inform the lawyers that he would be taking up some of the matters in the regular list, which have been pending for long periods, from August 10th.
• One of the matters listed for hearing also includes a plea against unauthorised construction in South Delhi.
• While hearing an NGO's plea on the matter, Justice Menon asserted that he would not be entertaining any petitions or PILs, which were not in public interest but filed to take vengeance or settle personal scores by any of the party.
• The Chief Justice told the NGO that its petitions were not in public interest and that it should seek recourse to other legal means to agitate its grievance.

More about Justice Rajendra Menon

• Born on June 7th, 1957, Justice Rajendra Menon hails from Jabalpur, in Madhya Pradesh and completed his school education from Christ Church Boys Senior Secondary School, Jabalpur.
• After completing his degree in science from the Government Science College, Jabalpur and in 1981, he completed his LLB from NSE Law College, Jabalpur.
• He was elevated to the Gwalior Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court as an Additional Judge in April 2002.
• He got posted at the Principal Bench at Jabalpur in 2008 and served as the Acting Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court from May 2016 to March 2017.
• He was elevated to the position of Chief Justice of the Patna High Court last year only in March 2017.
• The Supreme Court collegium recommended the transfer of Justice Menon to Delhi High Court on July 16th. He is due to retire on June 7th, 2019.