The Supreme Court has let itself and democracy down by kicking the anonymous electoral bonds can down the wafflers’ street again. Whether it’s lethargy or pusillanimity, doesn’t matter. It’s a self-diminishing institutional letdown. That the practice has continued because SC has failed to rule on it doesn’t make it legitimate.
SC anguish over delay in 55 judge appointments justified. Covid worsened judicial pendency
The Supreme Court’s anguish over the Modi government sitting on 55 high court judge appointments for 6-18 months is justified. Judicial pendency has been a perennial problem and Covid lockdown of courts has only worsened it. Unexplained delays in clearing names –or being selective – raises questions about the government’s motives.
Modi govt wants to reform agriculture, but making states do GM crop trials counter-intuitive
Modi government decision to shift the onus of GM crop trials to states is disappointing and counter-intuitive when it’s seeking to reform agriculture. Most states do not have the expertise or capacity to screen trial requests. Bowing to anti-GM Luddites doesn’t inspire confidence in other critical reforms in the pipeline.
Just for the sake of opposing the Central govt, Print team wants SC to stay electoral bonds. It should rather come with a counter argument and an alternative to electoral bonds.
Are we to understand that SC judges are with knives on their neck by bjp RSS affiliates, any judgement against the govt or the political party are pronounced by fear of lives , only hitler then the late saddam , Gaddafi rule were similar
SC ruling for or against the electoral bonds is passé’. Let us see the truth as it is today. Unless a very transparent system of party funding is established it is beyond any power to stop slush funding though any means.
The primary aim of all democratic institutions today in India should be to demand establishment of a fully transparent conduit for funding political parties, with all monies transferred digitally.
Tail piece: Address the problem at the roots. Rooting for anything else is useless.
It really comes down to having a scientific temper. Incompatible with singing the Gayatri mantra to keep the pandemic at bay.
The government is bound by the recommendations of the Collegium, analogous to the President being bound by the recommendation of the Cabinet. In both cases, there is a provision for a proposal being sent back once for reconsideration. However, if it is reiterated, it becomes mandatory, binding. So, on the judicial side, the honourable apex court can enforce its decisions made on the administrative side by the Collegium, if there is an unconscionable delay. Sometimes softball, sometimes hardball.
Each unanswered letter answers itself, was one of the first management lessons one learnt. In a more contemporary sense, each unanswered call serves the same purpose. If important cases, involving constitutional principles, like the abrogation of Article 370, CA Act, Electoral Bonds, remain undisposed of for years on end, no one should wait for miracles to unfold. All the more when there were cogent reasons to grant a stay at the threshold stage. After NJAC, difficult to recall a truly consequential legislative or executive action that has been struck down.