The need for striking a safe balance

Currently an interesting debate has begun on the status of CBI and similar investigating agencies in this country.
What is the role and mandatory duty of institutions like CBI, CVC and Auditor General of India in the present context? Luckily the latter two have some legal or constitutional backing whereas the CBI hasn’t as evidently questioned by the Gauhati High Court.

The observations of the Prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh and the Finanace Minister Mr. P.Chidambaram convey some relevance to the context. The need and freedom to question a policy or procedure adopted to execute that policy arises only when there is a proven fact about illegal pecuniary advantage gained by the decision makers or the officials involved in execution. The persons manning these institutions should be above board in all aspects including the possibility of post retirement rehabilitation.

The Hindu editorial (November 14, 2013) too correctly emphasizes: “Protecting the honest civil servant who makes risky judgment calls is one thing; sweeping dishonest decisions under the carpet of policy-making is quite another”. It is easier said than done or executed without discrimination based on the perceived notions of probity by the Prime Minister or chief Ministers.
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Better late than never

Corporate Governance norms announced by the market regulator SEBI recently would require 97 people to resign from their independent directorship positions by October this year.

The new Companies Act has mandated that an independent director cannot serve on the Board of a company for more than two successive terms of five years each.

A good measure although taken very late in the manufacturing sector of this country. Better be late than never!

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Central universities in India.

Of the 15573 teaching faculty positions in 39 central universities across the country, close to 40 per cent remain vacant.

Shortfall in Odisha and Tamil Nadu stands at 88 and 81 per cent respectively. Who is to blame for this development? Central Government or somebody else? Who asked them to open so many institutions without proper planning and faculty for the purpose of teaching? God knows the quality of education the government is offering through these institutions.

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