Round The States

New Delhi, 12 December 2013

Delhi Verdict

LESSON FOR REST OF INDIA

By Insaf

Delhi has indeed shown the way, to the rest of India. The Assembly elections results, without hesitation can be said to have reaffirmed people’s power. Money and muscle power no longer holds good for winning elections, if the voter so decides. Additionally, ordinary citizens can aspire to get elected as their representatives and play the crucial role in turning the much-touted phrase of ‘good governance’ into reality or at least make a genuine effort to achieve the  goal. And not let it be every State and Central leadership’s so-called mantra. Of course, it’s only the first baby step—but revolutionary. The Aam Admi Party’s astonishing victory has relegated well-grounded political parties to the background. In fact, has put them to shame. But while it can talk of taking its vision forward, by eying the 2014 General Elections, which it has already said it would, AAP must not be seen to have made promises, which it cannot fulfill. The weeks ahead are going to spell out the direction this verdict will take. But one thing is clear so far, there is no clamouring for power. Will the message go further and beyond?            

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Gujarat Lokayukta

Gujarat finally has a Lokayukta. For the past decade, the post had been lying vacant, with the last incumbent being Justice R M Soni way back in December 2003. On Wednesday last, retired Gujarat High Court Judge D P Buch was sworn-in as the State’s fourth Lokayukta, after the Government recommended his name. This time around there was no bitter confrontation between Governor Kamla Beniwal and Chief Minister Narendra Modi, as witnessed since 2011, when the former appointed Justice (Retd) R A Mehta as Lokayukta, “without consulting” the latter. It led to a long legal battle, up to the Supreme Court. In an interview to a national daily, Buch steered clear of all controversies plaguing the post. “I have to act on the complaints received in my office in the legal framework of the Lokayukta Act…there cannot be priorities here…it’s about investigating these and ensuring it is done within a timeframe…..” is how he sees his mandate. Will he keep his word and make a mark as the anti-corruption ombudsman, is going to be watched closely.    

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UP Politics In Parliament

Uttar Pradesh politics has raised its ugly head in both Houses of Parliament. Both the ruling SP and the opposition BSP, appear to be using the platform to score brownie points against each, rather than use it for constructive debate on serious concerns. Seeing the BSP members troop into the well of the Houses demanding dismissal of the Akhilesh Yadav Government over the death of 40 kids in Muzaffarnagar relief camps, the SP members were quick on their feet too. They decided to shout full-throated slogans demanding the inclusion of 17 OBC of the State in the Scheduled Caste list. However, the issue is not new but has been hanging fire since 2005. Where then was the urgency to disrupt the proceedings? Obviously, it had to do more with outshouting its rival’s demand and show itself as a better messiah of the OBCs than the other. Additionally, both parties appear to be sending a message to the Treasury benches of their willingness to bailing it out, by stalling proceedings. This time round, the embarrassment of a no-confidence motion by some of its own Congress members, being raised in the Lok Sabha. The intrigues are far too many and only time will tell, whether their strategy has paid off.

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Centre, States’ CBI Courts?

Enough is enough, is the terse message to both the Centre and States, by none other than the Supreme Court. Exasperated with the non-compliance of its order to make functional all 22 CBI courts across the country to probe corruption cases involving both politicians and civil servants, the apex court has set a fresh deadline. Do so in four months or else the failure would invite contempt of court proceedings action against Chief Secretaries, is its warning. Importantly, it noted that “People’s confidence in administration of justice is restored by setting up these courts,” clearly sending a message. Recall, the Court had in January given the Centre two months deadline for the same and had rubbished New Delhi’s reasons for the delay. Sadly, the matter has been hanging fire since 2011, with the Court’s first order. It further needs to be noted that the Court took into account a 2009 letter of Prime Minister to the State Chief Ministers asking them to set up additional special courts for trial of CBI cases. Will the Executive oblige the Judiciary and meet the deadline or face its wrath?

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Bihar Embarrassed Or Shocked?

Bihar has embarrassing news for both its Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the Centre. During their interrogation by the Delhi police, Indian Mujahideen chief Yasin Bhatkal and his assistant Asadullah Akhtar have disclosed that the guns used in the 2010 Jama Masjid firing were from a gunsmith in Bihar, but worse his shop had been set up with funds from the Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana! Clearly, the gunsmiths, particularly in Munger district are misusing the scheme with impunity. Apparently, it comes to light that though the gunsmiths can get a loan under the PMRY to set up a lathe—a machine which produces components of a gun, they cannot assemble the weapons. But is anyone checking the misuse of funds? Obviously not, as the IM chief alleges that several gunsmiths, thanks to the scheme have started making sophisticated weapons, which yield a good price from “politicians’ aides, gangsters, naxalites and even terrorists,” and that his outfit has given up the idea of manufacturing these on its own. Caught on the wrong foot, the Bihar police has got cracking and so far has seized 109 illegal weapons. But this will be just a tip of the Iceberg.  

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J&K Red Beacon Case       

An incident in Jammu & Kashmir should have authorities take a re-look at the Supreme Court’s order on red beacon and sirens on vehicles. On Wednesday last, an aged heart patient is said to have died due to the delay in getting him medical help, as a mobile magistrate stopped the ambulance at Sopore for violating the court’s order. If it wasn’t for the “30 minutes” delay, with the magistrate asking for removal of the beacon the siren, the family stated that perhaps the man would have survived. An angry Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has tweeted that he would take up the matter with the High Court. Perhaps, it should help get some clarity on the incident as well as the fact that the apex court’s order would not be applicable to ambulances. Recall, that the SC has limited the use of the red beacon to only high constitutional authorities. But, there are umpteen cases of the order being flouted. Worse, this incident sadly highlights that it’s the ordinary folk that could face a lethal brunt. ---INFA  

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