L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

CBI should be above board

I would like to point out in Kuldip Nayar’s article, “Misuse of CBI” (Feb 25), that in pursuance of the ruling of the Supreme Court in Vineet Narain Vs Union of India (Dec 1997), the CVC has been given a statutory status by enactment of CVC Act, 2003.

It is unfortunate that effective superintendence by the CVC is still a distant dream and the general perception is that the CBI has been used as a political tool by successive ruling elites.

Even the controversial “Single Directive” i.e. mandatory requirement of seeking the government’s approval before proceeding against a public servant of the rank of joint secretary and above was set aside by the apex court in Vineet Narain case.

The same was also complied in the CVC Ordinance, 1998 but owing to bureaucratic pressures, it was retained in the CVC Act, 2003. The Apex Court is presently seized of this matter. I think there is an urgent need to make the CBI accountable and answerable only to Parliament on the lines of CAG. The CBI ought to become the Indian counterpart of the US’s Federal Bureau of Investigation. A Parliamentary Committee also recommended the same in March last year.

HEMANT KUMAR, Advocate, Ambala city

Budget woes

For a long time, it was desired that tax laws should be stable so that taxpayers plan for a long term. The interim budget has followed this principle, though it seems for a very short period, as the complete budget shall be presented after the elections.

In recession, some concessions were expected from the government. But the ruling government has its limitations. If the budget had been presented to benefit aam aadmi, the Opposition would have accused the government of appeasing the voters and presenting an election budget aimed at seeking more votes. Actually, no budget is ever good for the common man as whatever concessions are given are invariably taken back indirectly. 

MAHESH KAPASI, New Delhi

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End family rule We became independent only after our freedom fighters made supreme sacrifices. But today, one finds that one kind of autocratic rule has replaced the other. The dynasty rule has grown deep roots in the Indian polity. Right from the beginning, the Nehru-Gandhi clan has dominated politics and has ruled India for a major part since India’s independence. Now every state has followed suit. There is the Badal family in Punjab, the Devi Lal family in Haryana, and the Abdullah family in J&K. At present, the Badal’s family has several relatives as ministers and has Mr Sukhbir Badal as Deputy Chief Minister. The time has come that dynasty rule be banned through constitutional amendment. Just as the US president is not allowed more than two terms, a similar stricture should be applied to the Indian MPs and MLAs. The dynasty rulers are not letting the hidden talent to come up in politics. Their muscle power and wealth have come at the cost of poor Indians. We must curb election expenses, so that the common man too is able to seek election. Plus, all concessions to ex MLAs, MPs and ministers must be withdrawn. They should live like common people. The best way to discourage the clan rule is to defeat such families in elections. SHER SINGH, Ludhiana

CEC debate

I fully endorse the views of N H Hingorani expressed in the article “CEC’s recommendation” (Feb 12) that urgent action should be taken to solve the controversy dogging the Election Commission.

Although the timing of Election Commissioner’s recommendation is inconvenient, necessary action should be taken immediately. Once the election commissioner becomes CEC, it would be very difficult to remove him. This would undermine the credibility of Election Commission, which is sacrosanct to democracy.

Free and fair elections are the hallmark of a democracy. People should not lose faith in EC, which is an independent and impartial body. It is high time that something is done. The government must save democracy from falling into disrepute.

SHIRPA NAGRATH, Ambala Cantt

Instability in offing

Neither the Congress nor the BJP can be expected to form a new government at the Centre after the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Some pollsters have even predicted that Ms Mayawati may be the new Prime Minister with inside or outside support of left parties along with outside support of either the BJP or the Congress.

The past experience has shown that such a government will be highly unstable
and damaging for the country. It will jeopardise the development in the country,
resulting into more poverty and suffering. The only remedy is that people should
ignore regional issues and vote for a stable government. Only then can we save
the country.

KULBIR SINGH CHADHA, Rajpura

Golden chance

The news-report “‘Slumdog’ kids to walk Oscar red carpet” (Feb 22) by Shiv Kumar was heartening. It was really a golden chance for the kids who were part of the movie Slumdog Millionaire. The child actors impressed us with their performance all, as they were no less than the professional actors.

Children from the slums never get a chance to witness the other side of the world. They just see poverty and pain. They also have a right to be a part of the luxurious world and experience pleasure.

RAMESHINDER SINGH SANDHU, Lucerne, Switzerland