CHENNAI: Opposition leader M K Stalin, on Wednesday condemned the Centre’s move to recruit judges of subordinate courts at the district and other levels through a national level examination like NEET. Stalin urged Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to file an affidavit before the Supreme Court opposing the move and to adopt a resolution in the House conveying to the Centre the displeasure of the State. The chief minister who was present in the House did not respond.
Raising the issue during zero hour, Stalin said already seven States had filed affidavits before the apex court opposing the Centre’s move to recruit judges of lower courts through national level tests and Tamil Nadu too should do so too. Stating that the Constitution had accorded powers to the Supreme Court and the State Government for recruiting judges for district level and other lower level courts, he said the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission had so far been conducting examinations for recruiting these judges.
Recently, the secretary (Justice), Law Ministry had suggested to the Secretary-General, Supreme Court, Stalin said and added that this effort would undermine the federal principle and would snatch away the powers of the States.
The State Government should categorically convey to the Centre that national level examination was not needed for recruiting judges for lower courts and should exert pressure in this regard. Meanwhile, the State government should convey its stand on this to the Supreme Court through senior counsels.