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Govt must weed out corrupt babus

The editorial, “Tainted babus: Centre must weed out the corrupt” (Feb 9) has rightly highlighted the corruption in the higher echelons of bureaucracy. This sorry state of affairs of the Central civil services, once considered the steel-frame of the Indian administrative machinery, is the result of the unholy nexus between the corrupt politicians and the ever-obliging bureaucrats. With few exceptions, bureaucrats are self-serving and corrupt.

Instead of shepherding the development of the country, they have become a prime obstacle to its progress. Rules to run the country are framed in such a manner that the high and mighty are rarely booked for their corrupt deeds. The mandate of prior permission to prosecute a corrupt civil servant is often misused to shield the tainted. It has rightly been observed: “The corrupt don’t deserve any constitutional protection and the Centre should revisit Article 311 of the Constitution” to rationalise laws to enforce transparency and accountability in public administration.

TRISHLA GARG, Panchkula

PAUL KOKOSKI, Ontario, Canada

Ethics for lawyers More than any other profession, the legal profession is self-governing. It is largely regulated by lawyers and judges themselves rather than by the government or outside agencies. In particular, the American Bar Association (ABA), the largest professional association for attorneys, governs the practice of law through its establishment of rules of conduct. These rules are then adopted, sometimes in a modified form, by state courts and enforced by court-appointed disciplinary committees or bar associations. Attorneys found to be in violation of professional standards are guilty of misconduct and subject to disciplinary procedures. Disciplinary action by a state bar association or other authority may include private reprimands; public censure, suspension of the ability to practice law and, most severe of all, disbarment — permanent denial of the ability to practice law in that jurisdiction. The state supreme court is the final arbiter in questions of professional conduct in matters of unbecoming conduct. These days, in the courtrooms and elsewhere, lawyers of both genders can be found simply making up things without any factual foundation, to keep their clients out of trouble. Where should a lawyer’s obligations lie? Is there a way of imposing a more rigorous code of ethics on lawyers? What would it entail and how would it be enforced in India?   It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to violate or attempt to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, knowingly assist or induce another to do so, commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects, engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, state or imply an ability to influence improperly a government agency or an official. RAJINDER LAL, USA

Indo-Pak ties

H K Dua in his front-page editorial “The importance of taking a small step” (Feb 10) has aptly brought out the need for the resumption of talks between the two neighbours. The country has to live with its neighbours.

To some extent Pakistan has softened its stance and has assured India of taking legal action against the terrorist outfit involved in the 26/11 Mumbai carnage. India and Pakistan have common culture and heritage and can work together. Both nations can usher in peace and also fight against poverty.

COL KULDIP SINGH GREWAL (retd), Patiala