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Implications of SC verdict on CVC 

The editorial “CVC loses battle” (March 4) rightly asserted that the institutional and personal integrity of the person to be appointed as the CVC is vital and that the Government of India must learn a lesson about making key appointments from the Supreme Court judgment. Never before have questions been raised on the intent of constitutional appointments except for the post of Governors of various states.

The Supreme Court ruling is a major blow to the UPA government. Mr Thomas should not have been chosen as a CVC in the first place with a case pending against him. He has a pending charge sheet against him in the palmolein oil imports case in his home state Kerala.

One wonders how a committee with the Prime Minister could be so insufficiently informed. This judgment has laid bare the rot in the executive, which raises the fundamental questions on its capability to administer and run the government. The Supreme Court judgment brought a dignified end to the shameful episode and it may have a far-reaching impact on the issue of appointments to constitutional posts.

HARJEV KUMAR KHANNA,

Ferozepur City

II

The Supreme Court has rightly quashed Thomas’ appointment as Chief Vigilance Commissioner because a tainted person could not be above suspicion while performing the duties of the CVC. He has to be a watchdog to keep an eye on the corrupt and unscrupulous bureaucrats. The editorial has rightly observed: “In the light of the controversy over the CVC’s selection, the court’s guidelines are instructive which the Centre will hopefully factor in while making such appointments in future.”

This case cannot be termed as a matter of judicial activism because the apex court has examined the legality of the decision leading to Thomas’ appointment as the CVC overruling the adverse notings on the record. The government should devise a foolproof system to ensure that persons of impeccable integrity only are appointed on key constitutional posts.

 LAJPAT RAI GARG, Panchkula

III

The editorial has rightly opined that the judgement was not entirely unexpected. What needs to be understood in this case is the fact as to how vigilance clearance had been given to Mr Thomas, a question already raised by the Supreme Court in its judgement. The observation of the bench that the legality of the choice or selection was open to judicial review to maintain, (or to ensure) the integrity of the decision-making process is absolutely correct for it can save many a decision making authorities in such critical cases under the given or accepted processes from considerable embarrassment. 

Furthermore, review and revision of the laws, rules, regulations, processes and systems are the collective responsibilities of the legislature and the executive as an ongoing process and not within the direct key result areas of the prime ministers. It is also heartening to note that the judgement also invokes the fact that as per the letter and the spirit of the 2003 Act, the zone of consideration does not need to be restricted only to civil servants for appointment of the CVC of India.

TEJINDER SINGH BEDI Faridabad

Find the missing girls

The editorial “ Missing girls” (March 2) has rightly lambasted the Punjab government for going into hibernation in the matter of abduction of 781 girls. It has aptly underlined that the region has the dubious history of killing unborn daughters through sex-selective abortions. Now girls are also being deprived of instant legal protection which is like adding insult to injury.

The editorial “Infertility in Punjab”(Feb 24) had revealed a sharp increase of infertility among the Punjab males which is attributed to drug abuse and alcoholism. Extensive use of drugs is due to unemployment and lack of opportunities in the state which have forced the youth in Punjab to sell their lands for going abroad in search of greener pastures.

The citizens of Punjab had high hopes while installing the Akali-BJP government in the state and they earnestly looked forward to the socio-economic resurgence and the rule of law. But the government failed to come up to the expectations of the people due to wrong priorities. The present lack of governance in Punjab is due to the close nexus between politicians and the bureaucrats, which has resulted in political corruption and deteriorating law and order situation.  

R.M RAMAUL, Paonta Sahib

II

More than 780 girls have been reported missing in the state over the past 10 years. The police seems to have failed to make special efforts to trace the missing girls and instead has come up with its own theory that these girls might have eloped with their lovers or many could have been forcibly pushed into flesh trade.

The Tribune has rightly stated that the state government should take notice of such serious problems and give responsibility to a senior officer to take charge and coordinate the effort in finding the missing girls. 

M L GARG, Chandigarh

Teaching shops VK Kapoor’s middle “Degree Mata Ka Mandir” (Feb 24) was interesting and gently exposed the gullibility of the Indian masses. It painted a true picture of the stark ground reality. These days a clever man is one who may fail to get a job because of his poor academic record but starts a private school with much fanfare. Depending upon his ingenuity, he soon develops a chain of private schools/colleges/universities. He offers lucrative jobs to the wards of influential people. He confers PhD degrees on uneducated politicians, thus promoting his political clout. He is clear about his targets.. His political clout which he develops assiduously, over the years help him realise his ambitions. The world belongs to the adventurous and the unscrupulous. Did Mr Kapoor accept the vice-chancellorship of some “doomed/deemed” university after his retirement as graciously offered to him by his classmate, I am curious to know? TARA CHAND, Ambota (Una)