Follow Us
Kuljit Bains
The past week was singularly uncomfortable for the Congress government in Punjab, with two major ousters: one minister, and the other a bureaucrat at the very top. The excitement, or anxiety — depending on who is assessing — over the developments led many to speculate variously: credibility on corruption had been built/exposed; the government’s functioning would be shaken; Capt Amarinder Singh stood weakened; fratricidal infighting among coteries would break out.
While some of the speculation may be valid in bits, there is no tangible basis for any of the above. Rana Gurjit Singh’s removal may be a personal setback to Capt Amarinder Singh, but the minister left no gaping hole in the government that cannot be filled. Politically, he is not a man of mass appeal, except for the mass of his cash reserves. What may prima facie have some consequence for the government was the removal of Chief Principal Secretary to the CM, Suresh Kumar, as he was functioning as a de facto chief minister. Yet — despite his universally acknowledged competence and integrity — he was entirely extraneous to the constitutional scheme of things provided for a state government. And every legal element continues to be available to run the government as ever. There should not be occasion for even a hiccup in the state’s governance, with the Chief Minister in charge.
That, however, hinges on the presumption that the Chief Minister will function himself, as well as have everyone else in the government function, only as provided for under law and the Constitution. Unfortunately, that has not been exactly the case thus far. A culture of coteries — in multiple — has taken firm grip over the 10 months of this government. The AG’s office — lined with a host of friends and family of those near and dear to the Chief Minister — has been the only countervailing force to the powerbrokers based out of the CMO.
A new set of courtiers and faithful retainers is also in the process of being bestowed with constitutional positions, with little consideration for experience, qualification or merit. There is a body called the Information Commission, which has long been handy to accommodate anyone who needs to be rewarded. Unfortunately, despite its significance in the interest of transparency in governance, the panel has never been taken seriously. But there is another panel, the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), which is held in due awe by one and all. Yet, this too may be in for a surprise selection of members, if not a shock or two. Before the deed is done, it may help Capt Amarinder Singh to recall how seriously he had taken the commission in his previous stint, and sent its chairman (Ravi Sidhu) to jail for giving jobs for money.
Coteries may give a sense of security to the one at the centre, but the comfort could prove treacherous. For one, it limits the variety of inputs and advice the man at the top may receive, which may severely impede judgement. A broad base of channels of information is thus a must. That is precisely what a Cabinet system affords, provided it is encouraged to function in the right spirit. Let all ministers speak their mind, and respect their views. Let all bureaucrats heading various departments think for themselves and function under the guidance of the Chief Secretary. No one in this arrangement will be able to take the government for a ride simply because of the checks and balances the system provides.
Capt Amarinder Singh — politically secure as he is — now has a fresh opportunity to empower the top Congress leadership in the government, and delegate powers to the right quarters of the bureaucracy, while occupying himself with holding them accountable for their actions. It will also help him free his mind and time for higher perspective planning and devote himself to the larger political game.
The recent misfortunes, thus, need not be any more than embarrassment. It is early in the day for the Congress government, and amends can be made. In the end, outcomes are all about the choices we make.
7
8
9