DMK opposes all-India exam for district judges

Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Assembly, he said the Law department Secretary, in a letter to the Supreme Court, had recommended holding of All India exams for appointment of district judges in lower courts. He said the Centre’s move went against the principles of federalism and was aimed at snatching away the powers vested with the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission and the Madras High Court. 

Stating that seven states have opposed the move, Stalin wanted the state government to exert pressure on the Centre. He also urged the state government to formally inform to the Apex Court through senior advocates that there was no need for an all India exam for appointment of district judges. ‘’Like how seven states have opposed the proposed move, the state government should also register its opposition by filing an affidavit in the court, besides adopting a resolution in the State’’, he added.

Opposition leader MK Stalin created a flutter in the Assembly on Wednesday when during the debate on demands for the commercial taxes department he spoke on how Whatsapp messages highlighted the disadvantages of GST. He read out a short whatsapp message to prove his point, when Finance Minister D Jayakumar intervening said, 169 items are exempted from GST. He added that Whatsapp messages could not be discussed in the assembly as they usually ridiculed or were critical of state government schemes. When Aravakurichi MLA and former minister Senthil Balaji was speaking about various local industries in the Karur area suffering due to GST’s high tax rates, deputy opposition leader Durai Murugan - at his usual affable best - was on his feet wanting to know why the ministers were not refuting the MLAremarks. “Is it because you lack the points or do not know anything about it?” he added amid laughter. Immediately, ministers RB Udayakumar, D Jayakumar and KC Veeramani started talking to which Senthil Balaji replied that he was highlighting the grievances of the industry in his area which was affected by GST.