Readers' Forum

Giving CJI absolute power

Dear Editor,
It refers to media-reports about Union government favouring giving Chief Justice of India (CJI) absolute powers in appointment of judges of higher courts. No individual irrespective of his being on the top-most post should ever be given absolute power without any counter-accountability to prevent any chance of human-bias, especially after charges leveled against a former CJI and controversies in judicial appointments when the erstwhile President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam had to return files approved by Supreme Court collegium. Best is to accept most favoured formula supported by retired judges and leading lawyers to appoint a National Judicial Council consisting of retired Supreme Court judges as member-nominees of President, Prime Minister, Opposition Leader and Chief Justice of India with Central Vigilance Commissioner as ex-officio member to finally recommend appointments, transfers and promotions of judges of higher courts.
-Subhash C. Agrawal,
1775, Kucha Lattushah,
Dariba, Delhi 110006.

Govt flips-flops on forest policy

Dear Editor,
Ruling elite is engaged in blowing the trumpet of development, prosperity and peace with dignity day in and day day out but is surely dumb stricken as a mute spectator on organised ecological vandalism, rampant corruption and lawlessness prevalent in the State. Those who wield power have a different take only to betray and befool the people as a criminal breach of trust. How is it possible to take forest authorities' claim of shortage of man power as the only reason behind plunder of green gold? Can we take this as the gospel truth when only a few years back a full-fledged department in the name of Forest Protection Force was established with much fan fare over and above the already existing territorial forest department?
It is obvious that custodians of green gold have become looters. Unless and until the nexus between saviours and slayers is broken with determination and with iron hand, devious trend will continue as has been the case so far.
Comprehensive forest policy, in the offing since over a decade, has not seen the light of the day. Will we ever see it?
-Mohd. Ashraf,
Baramulla, Kashmir.

Bharat Ratna Award

Dear Editor,
L.K Advani prime ministerial candidate of BJP has recommended Bharat Ratna award to doyen of Indian politics and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. And, Mayawati UP Chief Minister and leader of BSP has recommended that Bharat Ratna award be conferred on Late Kanshi Ram, founder of BSP. Earlier the highest civilian award was the prerogative of only politicians and an illusion was created in the minds of common man, especially the literate and semi-literate, that only politicians do public service. Few years ago, a welcome departure was made in this trend and people who have excelled in other fields viz. Dr. M.S. Subbulaxmi, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Bismillah Khan, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam etc. were conferred the highest civilian award of the country. Thus we displayed in unambiguous terms that we Indians too can recognizs and reward meritorious and outstanding service which has helped to enhance the image of the country in the eyes of the world. Barring few exceptions, most of our illustrious and legendary personalities were first rewarded by international institutes and foreign countries and only after that we started recognising their outstanding service.
It is high time that we should make a change in our attitude and start recognising and rewarding talent, excellence, outstanding achievements and dedicated and meritorious service without waiting for the outside world to reward them first. This will herald the beginning of a new culture and a loud and clear message will be sent to the whole world that in India unsung heroes are a thing of the past.
-E M Adithyan,
Elangalloor Mana,
P.O. Edapal-679 576, Kerala.