Dr.M.S.Gill

M.S.Gill

Dr M.S.Gill did a remarkably independant job as India's Chief Election Commissioner and the nation recognises this. But his appointment to a political job as MoS has raised eyebrows. Supreme Court and High Court judges the CAG are barred by law to take up jobs after retirement. The Election Commissioners are statutory authorities and should fall under the same category as the judges and the CAG. These are eminent persons with independent status and should remain so in public eye. This view had been shattered by an earlier CEC aligning with a regional political party and then migrating to a national party to contest elections. The BJP made a noise over this but they too crossed the Lakshman Rekha by appointing a retired CAG as a state governor. In a polity wrecked by rampant corruption and actions of expediency, offices of constitutional authrities need to be insulated against offer of reappointments on retirement. If this policy is favoured, democratic foundations are bound to suffer in the long run. This is not to say anything against Dr Gill as a person, but we are discussing broader national issues.

Dr.A.R.K.Pillai
Mumbai 10-4-08 Email ID < idfark@gmail.com>