Review panel sets up 10 expert groups

By Our Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 29. The National Commission to review the working of the Constitution, headed by Mr. Justice M.N. Venkatachalaiah, has set up 10 expert groups to study areas identified by the Commission for consideration.

Announcing this to mediapersons here today, the spokesperson of the Commission, Mr. Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy, reiterated that the Commission's role was only to review the working of the Constitution and not to rewrite it.

He said he would be the co-chairperson of the group on `strengthening parliamentary democracy and their accountability'. Mr. Subash Kashyap will co-chair the group on `electoral reforms'; Mr. Justice K. Ramaswamy, retired Supreme Court Judge, will head the group on `pace of socio-economic changes and development and removal of poverty'; Mr. Justice R.S. Sarkaria was likely to head the group on `Centre-State relations'; Mr. Soli J. Sorabjee, Attorney General, will co-chair the group on `enlargement of fundamental rights'.

Mr. P.A. Sangma will co-chair the group on `strengthening panchayati raj institutions'; Mr. C.R. Irani, Editor, The Statesman, will co-chair the group on `effectuation of fundamental duties'; Mr. K. Parasaran, former Attorney General, will co-chair the group on `enforcement of directive principles of State policy'; Mr. Abid Hussain will co-chair the group on `legal control of fiscal and monetary policies' and Ms. Sumitra Kulkarni will co-chair the group on `promoting literacy, generating employment and ensuring social security'.

Mr. Justice Reddy said the expert groups, with a chairperson and co-chaired by a member of the Commission, would prepare the background paper and questionnaire in each of the areas, to be sent to national commissions, research institutes, NGOs, consumer groups, political parties and interested parties. Some groups are expected to ready the background paper and questionnaire before the Commission's next meeting on April 22.

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