M A I L B A G

Single Directive should be scrapped

V Eshwar Anand’s article “Directive is undemocratic: Top bureaucrats not above rule of law” (Feb 21) examines the manner in which our politicians have short-circuited the Supreme Court ruling on the Single Directive in the Central Vigilance Commission Act to protect top bureaucrats. It makes a mockery of the rule of law and right to equality under the Constitution.

As the politician-criminal-bureaucrat nexus is predominant in the system, the UPA government’s stand on the criminalisation of politics before the Supreme Court is a matter of intrigue. If the Single Directive is not scrapped, our democracy will be under threat. The Centre should set up an independent and autonomous body to tackle corruption at the top before things go out of control.

P.L. SETHI, Patiala

II

The Single Directive will bind the hands of the CBI and make it incapable of investigating against officers of the rank of Joint Secretaries and above. While the President and the Prime Minister have come out in favour of their inclusion in the proposed Lok Pal Bill, the UPA Government wants to protect top bureaucrats through the Single Directive.

Top civil servants seem to be acting like colonial sahibs as the Single Directive is in line with the 1898 predecessor of the Code of Criminal Procedure whereby they cannot be prosecuted without government sanction.

The Government is ill-advised to defend the Single Directive. It has become a test case for Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh who enjoys immense reputation and credibility.

Dr JAGDISH BATRA, Hindu College, Sonepat

III

There is nothing wrong in protecting top bureaucrats if their acts are in the national interest. However, providing protective blanket to every act performed by them for personal gains would be wrong and against the ethos of good governance and the rule of law. In 1997, the Supreme Court had clearly ruled that every person should be dealt with the same manner for committing the same offence.

The Single Directive provision has become a tool in the hands of the government to protect the nexus between bureaucrats, criminals and politicians. Therefore, the government should scrap it. The proposal for a Director of Public Prosecution is worthy of consideration.

Col JASWANT SINGH CHANDEL (retd), Kalol (HP)

IV

Why are the officers of the rank of Joint Secretary and above being kept out of the purview of the CVC Act when its aim is to curb the menace of corruption? Under the Single Directive, the CBI must seek prior government sanction for taking action against a corrupt bureaucrat. This speaks volumes for the government’s intentions.

Unless the CVC is given constitutional status and the CBI put under its administrative control with powers to probe against any bureaucrat, there would be little improvement in the system.

Maj NARINDER SINGH JALLO (retd), Mohali

V

It is sad that corruption in the high echelons of bureaucracy is being encouraged through the Single Directive provision in the Central Vigilance Commission Act. No doubt, corruption is endemic in public life. But it starts and percolates from top to bottom. So it will be a futile exercise if under the guise of the Single Directive, top bureaucracy is kept out of its purview.

SUBHASH CHANDER SHARMA, Panchkula

Houses for the poor The Government of India’s proposal to construct houses for the poor is commendable. However, the houses should not be transferred in their name. They should be allowed to have these houses and be made responsible for maintaining them. The government will have to retain their ownership until the occupants improved their financial position. Besides, the temptation for the poor to sell and sublet these houses will go if this is done. DEEP INDER, Lecturer in English, Majan University College, Muscat (Oman)

Clash of exams

The date of examination for admission to B. Tech courses in the Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi, and the Common Entrance Test of the Punjab Technical University (PTU) are falling on the same day — May 29, 2005. As many candidates have applied for both examinations, the PTU authorities should change the CET date in the larger interest of the students.

S.C. ANAND, Karnal

Medical entrance

I appeal to the authorities of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Fairdkot, to change the examination date of PGET-2005 (April 4, 2005) as on the same day, the entrance test of Bangalore’s National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) is also scheduled.

SUBHASH CHANDRA GAUTAM, Jalandhar

Guest doctors

A doctor is also a human being. He/she has to visit other medical institutions to enquire about the health and well being of his relatives and friends.

When he does not get proper treatment from the paramedical staff and respect from the doctors of that institution, he feels ashamed of being a doctor.

To avoid such situations, in every medical institution in the country, there should be a special reception centre for such visiting doctors to get their names registered. He should be provided a returnable identity card of “Guest Doctor” so that he gets due treatment by the medical and paramedical staff.

To maintain the sanctity of this noble profession, this facility should also be extended to all the doctors of other recognised medical systems.

Dr SUDARSHAN KUMAR VARMI, Santokhgarh, Una (HP)