Moily146;s reforms

M Veerappa Moily who chaired the Administrative Reforms Commission has made far-reaching recommendations in the report.

M Veerappa Moily who chaired the Administrative Reforms Commission ARC has made far-reaching recommendations in the report. Some of these need prompt implementation. For example, vesting the power of disqualification of MPs and MLAs under the Anti-Defection Law in the president and the governor, to be exercised on the advice of the Election Commission. At present, the power is exercisable by the speakers, who unfortunately have not displayed the requisite impartiality and independence.

In quite a few cases their decisions have been successfully challenged because of their partisan functioning. Another important recommendation is the enactment of legislation to protect corporate whistleblowers unearthing fraud or serious damage to public interest by making acts of harassment or victimisation or retaliation against them criminal offences with stiff penalties.

A significant recommendation is the setting up of a Rashtriya Lokayukta to probe complaints of malfeasance and corruption against ministers. This body would have jurisdiction over all ministers of the Union and the states but not over the prime minister.

The recommended composition of the Rashtriya Lokayukta is a serving or retired judge of the Supreme Court as chairperson, an eminent jurist, whatever that means, and the central vigilance commissioner as ex-officio member.

The proposal to exclude the prime minister generated intense debate when the Lok Pal legislation was formerly under consideration. The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution favoured the exclusion of the prime minister for the reason that he should not be exposed to the risks of well-orchestrated and well-planned attempts to malign his image and weaken his position on which the functioning of government depends.

A controversial recommendation is about the composition of a National Judicial Council, which would comprise the vice-president, the prime minister, the Lok Sabha speaker, the chief justice of India, the law minister and the leaders of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

There can be two views about the composition as far as appointment of judges is concerned. However, there can be no question that in the matter of removal or inflicting other punishment on a judge the council should be exclusively comprised of sitting or retired chief justices and judges. Introduction of political personalities has the serious potential of undermining judicial independence.

All for love

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Saint Valentine must have been bemused and amused about the hype regarding the recent celebration of Valentine8217;s Day in our country. The urge to celebrate Valentine8217;s Day is widespread. It is not confined to any particular class or section of the society.

Nurses in Kanpur, all between 22 and 35 years, did not mind using their casual or sick leave for the sake of their loved ones. The authorities gallantly agreed to sanction leave to nurses on rotational basis.

Objection to celebration of Valentine8217;s Day on the ground that it is an onslaught on our culture and tradition is ludicrous and betrays narrow-mindedness and intolerance. No doubt the celebrations should not be vulgar or obscene. Interestingly, Thailand8217;s Culture Ministry issued what it calls the 8220;10 Commandments of Love8221; to prevent teens going overboard with romance. The First Commandment is 8220;Love with patience, so as not to become a young parent.8221; Another is, 8220;Love only one person.8221; Other commandments encourage couples 8220;to respect, trust and forgive each other8221;. Mercifully, Thailand is spared of Bajrang Dal or Shiv Sainiks.

Brecht on menu

Chefs from three different countries prepared a gourmet dinner in Bangkok last week which served beluga caviar, truffles and other delicious savories, and, of course, the best of wines and champagne. The dinner cost 25,000 a head.

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In Thailand an average school teacher would need to work for five years to earn 25,000.

Filthy rich food lovers from US, Europe and Asia flew in to Bangkok for 8220;the world8217;s most expensive dinner.8221; On the menu should have been these words from a Brecht play: 8220;8230;make sure/ That those who now are starving/ Get proper helpings/ When you all start carving.8221;