M A I L B A G

Needed: the right to reject

Apropos of V. Eshwar Anand’s article “The right to reject: Enable voters to choose none” (March 13), there is no doubt that people make and unmake governments through the ballot, but their wishes are upset by manipulative acts and unholy operations of those whom they elect. Though public cynicism towards politicians has been increasing, the same set of politicians are mostly fielded in the elections.

I welcome Chief Election Commissioner T.S. Krishna Murthy’s suggestion to incorporate a separate column in the ballot paper with the option ‘None of the above (NOTA). This would induce more people to vote and to express their protest against candidates fielded in their constituency on considerations other than merit. In a representative democracy, we need to explore ways to get rid of crime in politics and attempt to eliminate, if possible, caste-based voting pattern.

Whatever its other benefits, NOTA will send a message to the political leadership about what people really want from their elected representatives.

K.M. VASHISHT, Delhi

II

The proposal for None of the above (NOTA) is a superfluous requirement. The very fact that when a voter does not cast his/her vote implies that he/she rejects all the candidates and is conveying the same by abstinence. No further negative voting to confirm the same is considered necessary.

Yes, the right to recall the elected representatives is the need of the hour. It will keep them on their toes throughout their tenure and remind them of their commitment to development and welfare of their constituency all the time.

Lt-Col BHAGWANT SINGH (retd), Mohali

III

NOTA merits a fair trial. To achieve real democracy, people should have the right to reject those who do not conform to their wishes, hopes and aspirations. This will surely eliminate unwanted elements from going to Parliament or State Assemblies. This will also impel the parties to put up only those with a clean image, a definite programme and policy to offer to the people. This way, a candidate will not be imposed on the people.

As NOTA’s merits outnumber its demerits, it ought to be introduced. In addition, people should have the right to withdraw the consent given to the government to govern if it fails to perform. Parliamentary democracy has stood the test of time in India. Still, radical reforms in the electoral laws are needed to restore people’s faith in the democracy.

TARSEM S. BUMRAH, Batala

IV

The Proportional Representation system examined by the writer merits serious consideration. It gives representation to all segments of opinion proportionate to their numerical strength with mathematical accuracy. Under the present system, the government does not exactly represent the majority opinion. Israel is another country where the PR system is functioning well. Experts should examine a system that would not only reflect the true popular will but also the exact divisions of the electorate.

Lt-Col BACHITTAR SINGH (retd), Mohali

V

If NOTA is introduced, the political parties will be forced to gave tickets to only those with a clean image. This will check the entry of criminals into Parliament and state legislatures. The suggestion for voters’ councils to educate citizens for electing upright and honest candidates is timely. Pressure groups will interact with different political parties in such a way that they give tickets only to good and able candidates.

GURDERSHAN SINGH, Chandigarh

Punjab’s stand contradictory This has reference to the news-item “Eradi Tribunal members to visit water head works” (March 18) stating that both Punjab and Haryana have agreed to the visit of the head works by members of the tribunal. This is surprising because Punjab has argued that the tribunal has no jurisdiction to hear the case regarding the water dispute between Punjab and Haryana. Consequently, it is a contradictory stand. Once we have decided to challenge the locus standi of the tribunal, there was no justification on the part of the government to agree to the visit of the team. Water being a State subject under Entry 17 of the State list — List II of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution and the Ravi-Beas being in no way inter-State rivers, establishment of the tribunal under the Inter-State Water Disputes (Amendment) Act, 1986, is ultra vires of the Constitution. The government needs to challenge this (Amendment) Act, 1986 in the Supreme Court. G.R. KALRA, Chief Engineer (retd), Chandigarh

Faculty improvement

The UGC has related the promotion of college teachers in the next grade to the clearing of refresher courses. However, in spite of clear guidelines from the DPI (Colleges), most college principals refuse to relieve the teachers for attending such courses. This is bound to affect their career. The DPI (Colleges) should issue fresh guidelines to the college principals in this regard. Otherwise, the whole concept of faculty improvement will become infructuous.

S.R. BAWA, Mandi Ahmedgarh