Skip to content Skip to navigation

SC strikes down Act to pacify unhappy legislators

In a significant judgment the Supreme Court on Wednesday called unconstitutional a law in Assam that paved the way for appointment of parliamentary secretaries in the rank of minister of state to pacify the disgruntled ruling party legislators  enacted in 2004.

A division bench of the country’s top court comprising Justice J Chelameswar, Justice RK Agrawal and Justice AM Sapre said that the legislation was unwanted in Assam to create these posts of parliamentary secretaries.

The court said, “Article 194 does not expressly authorise the state legislature to create offices such as the one in question.”

The Act allowed the government to accord the status of a minister of state to the parliamentary secretaries. Hence the Court struck down the Assam Parliamentary Secretaries (Appointment, Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004 where the then Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi rehabilitated many loyalist legislatures. 

Author info

AT News's picture

Assam Times Staff. editor@assamtimes.org

Add new comment

Random Stories

Engineer abductors demand money

30 Jul 2014 - 11:20pm | AT News
There is no trace of Niron Mahajan 24 hours after unidentified militant kidnapped the civil engineer from Dima Hasao district on Tuesday. No militant outfit has so far owned up the responsibility....

Govt steps in to revive sick industries

10 Jan 2009 - 4:20pm | editor
The Assam government is contemplating a slew of measures to revive the state's ailing industries in the state.Disclosing this on the floor of the House on Saturday in the winter session, industry...

Disappointment over recruitment

23 Jul 2015 - 1:31pm | Mithun Baruah
Disppointment is simmering among the All Tea Tribe Student's Association members in Margherita over the recruitment process in a few tea gardens. ATTSA leader in Margherita told this Correspondent...

DD live program on present agricultural practices on Aug 2

1 Aug 2017 - 1:19pm | Mowsam Hazarika
Doordarshan Kendra, Guwahati will telecast a live Phone - in - Programme about present agricultural practices in context with recent flood affected fields in Assamese, on 2nd August , 2017 ...

Other Contents by Author

Renowned sculptor Sankar Kalita from Paikana village near Baihata Chariali in Kamrup district, who had established himself in Guwahati, has been missing for over a month and a half, causing concern in the area. Kalita, who moved to Guwahati around 30 years ago to pursue sculpting, has been involved in creating numerous sculptures across Guwahati and various parts of Assam. Recently, he had set up his own sculpting studio in Vetapara, Guwahati. However, in a mysterious turn of events, he traveled to Mumbai in late December for business-related work and has not returned since. According to family members, Kalita had planned to return home during Magh Bihu but later informed them that he...
In a controversial move, the Assam government has terminated 64 lecturers from polytechnic institutes who were protesting for the regularization of their jobs. These lecturers had been on a hunger strike for 23 days, demanding that their temporary positions be made permanent. They were initially appointed during the tenure of Himanta Biswa Sarma as the Education Minister. The lecturers, who have been working as founder faculty members in polytechnics for eight years, had come to Guwahati during the budget session to appeal to the government regarding their demands. However, the government’s refusal to regularize their jobs forced them to stage a protest under the open sky. Their...
In the hilly district of Karbi Anglong, Assam, anxiety looms large among the indigenous communities as the state government plans to acquire 18,000 bighas of land for a 1,000-megawatt solar power project. This proposed project threatens to displace nearly 20,000 Karbi, Naga, and tribal residents from 23 villages in the Khatkhati-Longkathar area. For over two centuries, these indigenous communities have lived on this land, cultivating crops and sustaining their livelihoods through agriculture. Assam’s Rajya Sabha MP, Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, raised the issue in the Upper House, highlighting that the government is proceeding with the land acquisition without consulting the local communities,...
The proposed acquisition of 18,000 bighas of land in Karbi Anglong district’s Khatkhati-Longkathar area for a 1,000-megawatt solar power project has sparked widespread fear and protests among the local tribal communities. The central and state governments are pushing forward with the project, which threatens to displace thousands of indigenous people, including Karbi, Naga, and Adivasi communities, who have been living and cultivating the land for generations. The land in question has been home to these communities for over 200 years, where they have been growing bamboo, banana trees, rabi crops, and broom grass to sustain their livelihoods. The government’s move to acquire this land for...
Controversial YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia appeared before the Assam Police in Guwahati on Friday in connection with a case related to his objectionable comments made during the ‘India’s Got Talent’ show. He is currently being questioned by the Crime Branch of Guwahati Police. Allahbadia was initially supposed to appear before the Assam Police last week regarding the case, which stems from his controversial remarks on the show that sparked widespread criticism. A case was registered against him in Guwahati, and he was issued a summons to appear before the police. Last week, the Guwahati Crime Branch also questioned another YouTuber, Ashish Chanchlani, who was similarly embroiled in...
The Press Club of Assam (PCA) has expressed concern over the recent controversy involving Assam Health & Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal and his alleged remarks on Bhaona, a traditional Assamese performing art form. The PCA has urged the journalist involved in the matter to clarify his stance, as the issue has sparked widespread debate and criticism. The controversy began when a television journalist, associated with a news channel owned by the family of the State government’s chief, claimed in a social media post that Minister Singhal disrespected a delegation from the Gauhati Press Club (GPC). The delegation had invited Singhal to a forthcoming Bhaona performance in the city...
Dr. Thomas Lodi is a renowned physician specializing in integrative oncology, combining conventional medicine with natural therapies to treat cancer and chronic diseases. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Lodi is dedicated to addressing the root causes of illness and enhancing the body’s natural healing abilities. He emphasizes the importance of personalized treatment plans that integrate nutrition, detoxification, emotional well-being, and targeted therapies.         View this post on Instagram                       A post...
In a thought-provoking lecture on Monday, invited speaker  Senior Advocate and Eminent Writer Arup Borbora explored the evolving landscape of human rights and the rule of law, emphasizing their importance in shaping modern societies. Reflecting on historical developments and contemporary challenges, Borbora highlighted the significance of safeguarding civil, political, and economic rights, particularly in the context of Assam and India. He underscored the ongoing need for reform and the preservation of democratic principles amid growing concerns over human rights violations and governance. 4th PARAG KUMAR DAS MEMORIAL LECTURE Speaker: ARUP BORBORA: Senior Advocate, Eminent Writer...
Udalguri: The 32nd Annual Conference-cum-Get-Together of the Tangla Veterans Association, an umbrella organization representing over 500 former members and families of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, was held at the association’s office in Tangla town, Udalguri district, on Wednesday. The event commenced with the unfurling of the organizational flag and a solemn homage to martyrs, led by President Ex-Subedar Sidhi Ram Nath and Secretary Ex-Havildar Hareswar Boro. Col. Pradeep Singh Tumar, Commanding Officer of the 81st Field Regiment stationed in Ghagra, Udalguri, graced the occasion as the chief guest, alongside Col. (Retd.) Prabhu Nath Giri, District Sainik Welfare Officer of...
Dr. David Sinclair, a renowned Harvard Genetics Professor, is pioneering research that challenges the inevitability of aging. Through his groundbreaking work, Sinclair has proven that aging is not a fixed process, and with the right lifestyle changes, it can be slowed—or even reversed. His personal journey mirrors his research, with his appearance at 55 suggesting that his methods may be working. In this blog, we’ll break down Sinclair’s anti-aging protocol, which claims to reverse aging by 8-10 years. Introduction to Dr. David Sinclair: The Age-Reversal Pioneer Dr. Sinclair is a leader in genetics and aging research. His work has led to discoveries that suggest we can actively...