Anti-defection law

To the news report “Single Judge order stayed: MLA’s disqualification (March 2) I would like to add that the latest order by a Division Bench of High Court is only a temporary reprieve for the Hooda Government. The High Court has merely stayed the direction of the time limit for deciding the controversial HJC-Congress merger and not the disqualification proceedings as such.  It is true that there is no specific time-limit prescribed either in the Tenth Schedule of our Constitution (Anti-Defection Law) nor in rules framed there under, but that in no way gives a free hand to the Presiding Officer of the House for dilly-dallying the adjudication in such cases at his whims and fancies.

It would be interesting to note that the two previous Speakers of Haryana that is Satbir Kadyan and Raghubir Kadyan had decided similar disqualifications pleas within days in June, 2004 and March, 2008 respectively as the result of the same was going to be beneficial to then ruling dispensations.

It is indeed unfortunate that such a grave anomaly i.e. non-prescription of time limit in rules under Anti-Defection law has not been looked into by successive regimes perhaps for their vested interests. Now it would be much better if the newly elected Speaker, Kuldeep Sharma allows a reasonable time frame in Haryana Legislative Assembly (Disqualification of Members on Ground of Defection) Rules, 1986. He has the power to do so as these procedural Rules itself are made by the Speaker.

If he fails to do so, the High Court must ensure expeditious adjudication of this issue which has been pending for more than a year.

HEMANT KUMAR, Advocate, Ambala

Wastage at marriages

The proposal to limit guests at weddings is definitely not a practical idea (news report, “Indian weddings may have fewer guests”, Feb 23). When the government itself failed to control the wastage of million tonnes of foodgrains due to the lack of proper storage, how can it justify the guest control law? Wastage at social functions has become a status symbol. The wastage of foodgrains, however, is a sin.

A S ANAND, Ludhiana

II

Indeed, it is matter of great satisfaction that Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister K.V. Thomas wants to curb extravagance especially in consumption of food. The editorial “Big fat weddings” (Feb. 24) has rightly observed that the views of the Union Minister are quite praiseworthy but the government must set its own house in order as million tonnes of foodgrains go waste for want of  proper storage space. Hence, the  government must make efforts to preserve foodgrains.

SUBHASH C TANEJA, Rohtak

Deal wisely

Neena Sharma in her letter (Feb 25) says, “Laxity is allowed by parents especially by mother.” However, often one observes that fathers are more lax than mothers. In fact, in the present world mothers tend to be more punctilious. Behaving strictly with the kids is alright but at the same time parents should give them love and care. Otherwise where in this world will they go seeking the much-needed caress?

SUDHA DADHWAL, Una

CVC’s appointment

The Supreme Court’s verdict quashed the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) P.J Thomas’s appointment as the government ignored corruption charges against him (news report, “SC strikes down CVC appointment”. March 4). All this indicates that Manmohan Singh-led UPA government paid the price for taking a stand, which was arbitrary.

Interestingly the Supreme Court in its judgement neither questioned the integrity of the Prime Minister nor the alleged corrupt PJ Thomas personally. But this verdict will severely dent the credibility of UPA-II particularly when it did not have any coalition compulsions. Such a ruling will help and guide the authorities in selecting persons for constitutional posts. Chief Justice S M Kapadia said, “Integrity of CVC has got to be kept in mind while recommending the name of the candidate” but then the same yardstick should be applied to other institutions also including the judiciary. Mr Venugopal noted jurist and the defence lawyer raised a valuable point during his argument that 153 MPs are facing criminal charges. Though the apex court remained silent over it, it’s the right time for the Election Commission and all political parties to think over it