Congress takes on Arun Jaitley for his remark on judiciary

Chandigarh - Congress Party has hit out at senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley for his comment on dispensation of justice by demanding transparency in judiciary.
 
Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari took a jibe at Jaitley, saying the former Law Minister ought to have been aware about the judicial system in the country and not pass odd remarks.
 
"I am extremely surprised that the former Law Minister of India could make such a statement. He is obviously aware of the fact that since 1993 the judiciary has taken upon itself the right to appoint judges. So, therefore the executive inter-face insofar as appointment of judges and especially to the High Court and Supreme Court is concerned, is completely over," Tewari told media in Chandigarh.
 
" Therefore, while fully knowing all these facts, if the former Law Minister chose to make such a statement, it obviously could not be or would not be out of ignorance. It must be out of a certain design and I think the judiciary should really ask the former Law Minister as to what was his intent behind making this statement," he added.
 
Jaitley had earlier on Sunday contended that the Supreme Court judgement on the Presidential reference on allocation of natural resources was not a validation of government policies in spectrum and coal blocks allocation.
 
"The court has said that if you allocate natural resources for commercial purpose then you can give it through auction, by bidding and at market prices. If you give it for a social purpose like land for an orphanage or a playground then it can be different," said Jaitley.
 
"The 2G spectrum or coal mines were not given for a social purpose, they were given for commerce and trade. So to consider it to be a victory of the government, even some media persons have also written it.... I believe there is arrogance in ignorance and this goes on show that," he added.
 
Jaitley, who was speaking at a conference of lawyers here, also said the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail would hurt the people's interest, and added that the BJP would oppose it.