Merger agreement case discussed at Apex Court
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 20, 2013:
In a certain development, the Supreme Court has conducted the hearing of the PIL filed by Dr.Suresh Singh, retired director of Health Services, Manipur for the implementation of Article 8, Clause 3 of the Merger Agreement signed between Maharaja Bodhachandra and the Indian Dominion September 21, 1949. According to BJP, the matter was heard at the Apex Court on December 17, 2013 in a double bench comprising Justice B..SChouhan and Justice S..ABobbe after Dr.Suresh filed a PIL bearing number 1001 of 2013 on September 10, 2013 at the apex court for the implementation of Article 8, Clause 3 of the Merger Agreement signed between Maharaja Bodhachandra and the Indian Dominion September 21, 1949. Addressing a press meet, the BJP leaders pointed out that bench regarded the case as an important one and maintained that it needed further hearing as it involves the Merger Agreement.
It also observed that many states were also merged into India.
Hence, the bench directed the petitioner, Dr.Suresh to first approach the State High Court and take their opinion.
It further directed the petitioner to come to the Apex Court after completing due process at the State HC.
The particular clause in question states, "The GoI also undertakes to make suitable provisions for the employment of Manipuris in the various branches of the public services, and in every way encourage Manipuris to join them.
They also undertake to preserve various laws, customs and conventions prevailing in the state pertaining to the social, economic and religious life of the people".
According to the petitioner, Dr.Suresh, he had filed various RTI applications in 2012 to the central government whereby he received reply on June 14, 2013 from the Ministry of Home Affairs, government of India that the information he was seeking was not available with the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) which in this case was the Home Ministry.
The questions he had asked were what steps had been taken to fulfill the provisions as recorded under Article 8, Clause 3 of the Merger Agreement which was signed between the Maharaja of Manipur and the Indian government on September 21, 1949.And if any, to provide details of the jobs in public services provided to the youths of Manipur including their respective departments.
He had said that steps would be taken up to file a PIL at the Supreme Court if the reply was negative.
The press meet which was attended by Sh.
Shantikumar Sharma, National Executive Member, BJP, L.Bashanta Sharma, secretary Media Affairs, BJP, Manipur Pradesh and Dr.Suresh, the petitioner.
The case was represented at the Supreme Court by Pinky Anand, senior advocate Supreme Court.The detailed judgement of the case, however is awaited.
In the mean time, the petitioner and the BJP, Manipur Pradesh are reportedly preparing to file the case at Manipur HC as the SC's direction.
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