Wageboard to function on ''justice, equity, good conscience'': Kurup

Kochi, May 21 (UNI) Justice (Retd) K Narayana Kurup, who was today appointed as the Chairman of the new wageboard for journalists and non-journalists by the Central Government, said he would function on the principles of ''justice, equity and good conscience''.

''I know the media's importance, that is why it is called the Fourth Estate,'' Justice Kurup told UNI today.

Reacting to his appointment, he stresssed that the board's working would be guided by the principles of ''justice, equity and good conscience''.

He said the board would start working immediately after the formal notification is issued. Asked if an interim report could be expected this year itself, he said several factors such as cost of living and salaries payable, would have to be examined before a report is given.

''I know time is of essence and the board would work expeditiously,'' he noted.

Best known for his 1999 judgement banning smoking in public places when judge of the Kerala high court, Justice Kurup had said that passive smoking was violative of the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution. Smoking in public places polluted the atmosphere and was obnoxious to health and thus punishable under the Indian Penal Code, he added.

In another landmark judgement in 1996, he had ordered a survey by leading newspapers in Kerala regarding the performance of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and passed a verdict allowing private operators to ply buses on nationalised routes after the survey revealed that the public was ''far from satisfied'' with the KSRTC operations.

Born on December 13, 1939, at North Parur in Kerala, Justice Kurup holds a B.Sc. degree in chemistry, B.L. and L.L.M. degree in Constitutional Law, Public International Law and Private International Law.

He was enrolled as an advocate of the Kerala High Court in 1964 and was elevated to the bench in 1992. Later, he became acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court in 2001.

He is married to Indira and has a daughter, Sindhu.

UNI