12 ‘expert’ MLCs aren’t experts: PIL

Twelve members of legislative council (MLC) appointed by the state government as “experts” do not actually fit the bill, states a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Bombay high court. After hearing the PIL, chief justice Anil Dave and justice SC Dharmadhikari have issued a notice to the government and sought a reply within four weeks.

The PIL filed by Birudeo Lavate and Sunil Kate, social acitivists from Sangola, said the appointment of the MLCs is politically motivated and has deprived deserving candidates of their right.

The petition stated that under clauses of article 171 of the constitution, the governor of a state has the power to appoint members to the legislative council who have “special knowledge or practical experience in respect of literature, science, art, co-operative movements and social services”.

However, the 12 MLCs appointed by the governor in 2008, are not experts as prescribed in the relevant clause of the constitution, said Machhindra Patil, advocate for the petitioners. Patil added that in an application filed under the Right to Information Act, under secretary RG Salvi had replied stating that information regarding the expertise possessed by these 12 MLAs was “not available”.