EXPRESS NEWSPAPER PRIVATE LTD Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE following Judgment of the court was delivered by :

(2.) THESE petitions under Art. 32 of the Constitution raise the question as to the vires of the Working Journalists (Conditions of Service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955 (45 of 1955), hereinafter referred to as "the Act" and the decision of the Wage Board constituted thereunder. As they raise common questions of law and fact they can be dealt with under one common judgment.

(3.) THE committees aforesaid made their reports on the respective dates 31/03/1949 and 2 7/03/1948 making certain recommendations. THE All-India problem, however, remained to be tackled and during the debate in Parliament on the Constitution (First Amendment) Bill, 1951, the Prime Minister said that he was prepared to appoint a committee or a commission, including representatives of the Press, to examine the state of the Press and its content. He elaborated the idea further on 1/06/1951 when he indicated that an enquiry covering the larger issue of the Press, such, as had been carried out in the United Kingdom by the Royal Commission, might be productive of good for the Press and the development of this very important aspect of public affairs. THE idea was further discussed during the debate in Parliament on the Press (Incitement to Crimes) Bill, later named the Press (Objectionable Matter) Act, 1952. At its session held in April 1952 at Calcutta, the Indian Federation of Working Journalists adopted a resolution for the appointment of a Commission to enquire into the conditions of the Press in India with a view to improving its place, status and functioning in the new democratic set up. THE appointment of the Press Commission was thereafter announced in a Communique issued by the Govt. of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, on 23/09/1952 under the Chairmanship of Shri Justice G. S. Rajadhyaksha.