M A I L B A G

Presidential form of govt is needed

The developments in Goa have focussed attention on the role of the Governor and the Speaker. But the underlying problem is the numbers game under the parliamentary system. The energies of the Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers are frittered away in ensuring numerical superiority in the legislatures. The result: governance suffers.

The present system causes a stink of corruption because legislators can be purchased. It results in unwieldy ministries and does not promote talent in the ministry.

There is a strong case for trying the presidential system with an elected executive president and elected executive governors.

Prominent persons like former President R. Venkataraman, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and the late Nani Palkhivala had supported this idea.

The concern that the presidential system may lead to dictatorship in India can be met by weaving into it an effective scheme of checks and balances. We should study the American, French and Russian systems and imbibe their good points.

ARVIND BHANDARI, New Delhi

II

The editorial “Mess in Goa” (Feb 4) describes Goa Assembly Speaker Vishwas Satarkar’s action as “irresponsible conduct in the House.”

Practically all the constitutional experts are condemning the Goa Governor for his action. The Governor has no authority to dismiss a Chief Minister who has proved his majority on the floor of the House.

The Anti-Defection Act does not permit any MLA to quit his party without resigning his seat in the House. Although Mr Rodriguez had won the election as an independent, he had joined the BJP, fully knowing that he was no more an independent member. If he felt that the Speaker’s action was wrong, he could have gone to the court.

The Governor has no powers to sit on the judgement of the Speaker, who has his own constitutional powers to conduct the deliberations of the State Assembly.

ANAND PRAKASH, Panchkula

III

Apropos of Subhash C. Kashyap’s article, “The coup in Goa” (Feb 8), it would be futile to expect a politician to suddenly turn neutral and act impartially after being appointed as Governor or Speaker.

No politician should be appointed to posts like President, Vice-President, Governor or Speaker.

The appointing authority should not be the government but the President who, for this purpose, shall act independent of the advice of the Council of Ministers.

He may evolve a system to prepare and update a panel of names of eminent apolitical persons to choose from.

Unless the rules of their appointment are suitably changed, we will not be able to stem the rot.

Wg-Cdr C.L. SEHGAL (retd), Jalandhar

Setback to industry In the Supreme Court recently, the ITC has won the legal case of Rs 800 crore after a battle of 17 years. But it is very shocking that the government has nullified the relief by issuing an ordinance amending the Central Excise Act with retrospective effect from 1983. It is a serious setback to the industry which the government wants to boost. The government action would demoralise the industry. DEEPAK SARAF, Rampura Phul

Redesign rickshaws

The Chandigarh traffic police will challan rickshaw pullers for various traffic rule violations (Jan 26).

I avail myself of this opportunity to advise our engineers to improve upon the age-old design of this popular public carrier also.

Rickshaws, especially in north India, are ill-designed. Particularly the seat is forward sloping, slippery, uncomfortable and insecure. Passengers, especially children, are prone to fall from the seat due to a small jerk or while negotiating a curve.

A seat belt or a front cross bar is urgently needed.

Dr GURMEET SINGH GILL, Samrala

II

It should be made mandatory for the rickshaw pullers to have lights while plying in the night. It will help check accidents.

Many vehicles plying on the National Highways do not have tail-lights and light reflectors. This is a major cause of accidents during night. Action must be taken against such defaulters.

Lt-Col MANOHAR SINGH (retd), Chandigarh

Veer Haqiqat Rai

I appreciate V.I.K. Sharma for highlighting the supreme sacrifice of Veer Haqiqat Rai for our nation against the tyranny of Mughal emperors (Letters, Jan 24). It is unfortunate that Hindus seem to have completely forgotten his sacrifice and have never observed the anniversary of this great child martyr. It is time we saluted and commemorated this hero by celebrating his anniversary every year to inculcate in the younger generation the spirit of patriotism and sacrifice.

T.R. GOYAL, Chandigarh