51 tiger deaths this year: Govt
New Delhi: The Government on Thursday said that 51 tiger deaths were reported from various States this year. Till August 26 this year, there were reports of 51 tiger deaths from several states, Environment and Forest Minister Jayanthi Natarajan told Rajya Sabha in a written reply to a query. “Eight tigers succumbed to poaching, while six of them died due to natural and other causes. 37 deaths are under scrutiny,” she said. Thirteen big cats died in Karnataka, followed by nine in Maharashtra, Natarajan said.
Uproar in lS over Asaram men’s protests
New Delhi: JD(U) MPs created an uproar in lok Sabha on Thursday over the alleged protests by a few supporters of Asaram Bapu at the residence of party leader Sharad Yadav for seeking action against the controversial self-styled godman. As soon as the House re-assembled at 2 PM, JD(U) MPs led by Rajeev Ranjan Singh “lallan” raised the issue and sought a response from the Government. Both Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath and Speaker Meira Kumar said they were unaware of it. Asaram’s supporters had also met Yadav and asked him to withdraw the statement. “I told his supporters to go to police station instead of coming here. He (Asaram) should surrender to the law and join the investigation,” Yadav said.
Judicial Appointments Commission Bill in RS
New Delhi: The Government on Thursday introduced the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, 2013 in the Rajya Sabha to replace the collegium system of appointment of judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts. The Constitution Amendment Bill seeks to appoint a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) headed by the Chief Justice of India to recommend appointment and transfer of Supreme Court and High Court judges.