Hyderabad: “Misuse of anti-crime investigating institutions, like the Central Bureau of Investigation and Anti Crime Bureau, contradicts good governance. The police interpret and enforce the law in favour of the ruling party, sacrificing the principles of impartiality. This is a prime concern in governance,” said M.V. Krishna Rao, former Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad.
Mr Mohan Guruswamy organised the Guruswamy Memorial lecture on ‘How to get Good Governance’ at the Guruswamy Centre on Tuesday. Former Home Secretary of India K. Padmanabhaiah, now the chairman of the court of governance, and M.V. Krishna Rao, former Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal which is tasked with sensitive duties on our borders, addressed the gathering.
Mr Krishna Rao indicated the flaws in the system. “Governance is the manner in which power is exercised and how a country manages its economic and social resources. It comprises the voice of the people and accountability of the government, political stability and absence of violence. Another important factor is control over corruption and executing the rule of law. However, it is seen that there is the absence of rule of law in India. Some of the flaws are a concern and need attention is the such as the non-implementation of 73&74 amendment of the constitution,” he said.
“The position of the Chief Ministers depends totally on the support he/she enjoys from the MLAs, so the legislators irrespective of what they do are pampered,” he added. “This apart, the power to allocate benefits promised to the voters like the double-bedroom house, pension, free gas are in the hands of these legislators and they decide to who it should be given; this internal partiality should be struck off.”
He added that “The eight principles of good governance are: 1. Participation of the people in governance the voice of common people should be heard. 2. Rule of law should be respected frameworks should enforce impartiality. 3. Government servants must be conscious. 4. There should be equality and inclusiveness in the system. 5. Effectiveness and efficiency. 6. Accountability 7. Transparency and finally, 8. Responsiveness.”
Compared to all Indian states, legislators in Telangana are the highest paid; a sitting MLA draws a salary of Rs 1.25 lakh and this does not include perks.
“Politicians are public servants and should be held responsible for delay of process,” said retired civil servant K. Padmanabhaiah. “There are 2.47 lakh sarpanches, 6,284 mandal parishad presidents, 4,120 MLAs and 567 parliamentarians they draw a salary from our tax money. Unless they are held accountable, a state cannot boast of good governance. Before an election, the people should create a committee to grill candidates in the fray and ensure that eligible persons get the votes.”
Mr Padmanabhaiah pointed out that in several major cases the police investigation is under the control of the Chief Minister’s Office who in fact directs the police to book a case under certain sections in order to favour certain parties. This should be exposed or abolished.
