Lex Rex :), Rex Lex :(
With the parliament passing a constitutional amendment bill to bring an end to the 20 plus years old collegium system of 'judges appointing judges', things seemed to be in sync with the popular mood of ushering in probity and transparency in public life. India is the only western democracy where judges are appointing judges, serving thus a blow to the equations of power in a democracy. The Judges, who could draw contempt of court provisions even at the slightest of slightest provocations were eventually brought under the hammer of the supreme power of the Parliament. Again, in the tussle for supremacy, the Parliament wins. And a National Judicial Appointment Commission is in the launching (though hearings on its constitutional validity are still doing the rounds in the Supreme Court).
Well! Well! Are the parliamentarians the Supreme beings in India? They decide the fate of the billion under and also the fate of their respective parliamentary privileges too. Articles 106 and 195 of the Indian constitution privileges the parliamentarians and state legislators to define from time to time salaries and allowances available to them. Wow! And any motion/ resolution hinting at this would pass with a cent percent consensus in both the houses. They can hike their salary, double their perks, etc. without any hindrance, without appointing any commissions, without asking anyone's advice and even without any popular support (till the time of next elections). We are a thriving democracy that promises freedom with equality even before we understood its real worth and meaning. Hence, it does not seem right that one institution decides all by itself its own privileges and perks by appropriating from the taxpayers' money without subjecting it to any discussion and scrutiny. The Karnataka Assembly passing bill on 100% hike in salaries is just an instance that need to be discussed before similar breeds take cue from it.
Suggestions:
1) Rather than opting for a blanket pay for all members, there should be an incentive system that rewards the diligent and punishes the delinquent. There should be points for attendance, questions asked ( only relevant- opined by the Speaker) and work in one's constituency. Also, there should be negative incentives for acts of violence in parliament, unruly remarks (opined by Speaker),absence in parliament under any non-medical excuse and absence of any quantifiable work in one's constituency. This would require an amendment to open ended articles 105 and 194.
2) Any revision in the pay, privileges or perks should be subjected to the opinion of an independent commission ( Consisting of a retired CJI, CAG, CEC) or a referendum .
Lex Rex and not Rex Lex....Parliamentarians are not supreme over the Law of the Land and its People- Time and Again, people of India need this confirmation. Hail Democracy! Hail Equality!
Well! Well! Are the parliamentarians the Supreme beings in India? They decide the fate of the billion under and also the fate of their respective parliamentary privileges too. Articles 106 and 195 of the Indian constitution privileges the parliamentarians and state legislators to define from time to time salaries and allowances available to them. Wow! And any motion/ resolution hinting at this would pass with a cent percent consensus in both the houses. They can hike their salary, double their perks, etc. without any hindrance, without appointing any commissions, without asking anyone's advice and even without any popular support (till the time of next elections). We are a thriving democracy that promises freedom with equality even before we understood its real worth and meaning. Hence, it does not seem right that one institution decides all by itself its own privileges and perks by appropriating from the taxpayers' money without subjecting it to any discussion and scrutiny. The Karnataka Assembly passing bill on 100% hike in salaries is just an instance that need to be discussed before similar breeds take cue from it.
Suggestions:
1) Rather than opting for a blanket pay for all members, there should be an incentive system that rewards the diligent and punishes the delinquent. There should be points for attendance, questions asked ( only relevant- opined by the Speaker) and work in one's constituency. Also, there should be negative incentives for acts of violence in parliament, unruly remarks (opined by Speaker),absence in parliament under any non-medical excuse and absence of any quantifiable work in one's constituency. This would require an amendment to open ended articles 105 and 194.
2) Any revision in the pay, privileges or perks should be subjected to the opinion of an independent commission ( Consisting of a retired CJI, CAG, CEC) or a referendum .
Lex Rex and not Rex Lex....Parliamentarians are not supreme over the Law of the Land and its People- Time and Again, people of India need this confirmation. Hail Democracy! Hail Equality!
you want to turn democracy into elitocracy , an old and outdated ,unwise concept. it will end sovereignty of people. if we cant not achieve heaven then it doesnot mean we opt for hell! your idea is dysfunctional for democracy.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, my views vindicate the cause of democracy! Have a word by word read.
ReplyDeleteYes word by word read. But article inappropriately criticises democracy and its tools. Yes there are many avoidable problems, and it is elites like you who think big and do little for society and goes dreaming for ideal democracy cause damage to democracy.
ReplyDeleteHave you suggested Functional representation that would have been one of cures. nevertheless , your writings are always thought provoking .
Note pl read in my earlier post If we cant achieve(not word infiltrated to disturb the sentence as it happens ..)
Your anonymity does not entitle me to know what you think, dream and do! I don't want to know either. Alloy of unbridled tongue and anonymity is a formidable combination. My idea of democracy does not support the supremacy of any institution or elitism rather it believes in the supremacy of the governed..
ReplyDeleteinstead of debating on issues u focuses on my anonymity. It hardly matters what I think and dream. but your suggestions to improve democracy in aforesaid article is like deconstructing its institutions and tools. i wuld like to raise three questions: how can economic democracy be combined with political democracy? You wuld definitely go for for pro Maoist stance and abandon political democracy as bourgeoisie democracy! second, how cultural pluralism help to build indigenous institutions which work as foundational stones of democracy in a society ? you avoided the very basic question. cultural pluralism makes democracy vibrant. Islamic society is not democratic because they dont believe in pluralism and subscribe to stagnant social order, religious philosophy. And 3rdly, you escaped the role of non state actors in democratic evolutions.
ReplyDeleteIts not your fault. there is a gap between thought and action. Only those thoughts can be prudent which could be translated into practice by its originator but none of your idea is capable to become action. you dream egalitarian society but ask yourself what you have done or r doing to achieve that ? People like you damage Marxism by using it as a mask to be called progressive !I
Economic democracy, political democracy et al are less effective or totally meaningless unless there is social democracy. The continuum should start effectively from social democracy through economic till the culmination of political democracy. These are not absolutely packed stages happening in isolation but simultaneous factors strengthening democracy in its real meaning. For social democracy to happen, there needs to be equality in entitlement...land reforms initiated by the first government in Kerala was a step in this direction. India needs to learn from this.
DeleteWhat Culture? Culture is nothing but a preface of slavery. Be human, think human...
My write up was not on the evolutionary history of democracy but on those culpable provisions that give open ended freedom to a few elements in a democracy, which could endanger democracy itself. Please get this right:)
Deletehow much wealth you possess which you consider beyond your family's genuine need? are you ready to be a trustee of such wealth and use for common people, needy? Once you make your mind transformation will begin. Merely utopian idea and impractical dream cant help the society. I Kerala , I find many people of my locality spending huge money, accumulating money , petro dollar and at the same time using red flag.are you of the same breed? one has to realise of her/his role as an active egalitarian activist. are you ? dont escape by discussing anonymity .you are an intelligent writer with great mind and divine power , you should do more than an average people like us think and do .
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Government-Proposes-to-Set-Up-Pay-Commission-for-MPs-Salary/2015/09/27/article 3 05037731 eye
ReplyDeleteGood move