A woman bank manager was brutally attacked yesterday while inside an ATM in Bangalore yesterday. Apart from the gruesome attack on the lady, what has been bizarrely shocking has been the response of the police to the same. Facts: On Nov. 20, a woman, who is also a bank manager (not clear if she was … Continue reading Bangalore ATM Attack and police abdication
Tag: Indian politics
Introducing the Indian Public Administration Lexicon or “iPal”*
iPal is an attempt to make comprehensible certain words that sound familiar, but mean something entirely different when used in Indian governance and politics. 1. Aam Aadmi: Rich people who dress badly. 2. Public interest: a) Interest of Aam aadmi. b) source of power to override law, constitution, logic, reason, everything. 3. Subsidy: Screw you … Continue reading Introducing the Indian Public Administration Lexicon or “iPal”*
What entities are public authorities under the RTI Act?
The text below is from my brief titled "Who is a Public Authority under the Right to Information Act, 2005?" as published on the website of Accountability Initiative, published in September 2013. The brief can be accessed here. The definition of ‘public authorities’ under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (“RTI Act”) has been an … Continue reading What entities are public authorities under the RTI Act?
Can the state handle it?
This post was first published on http://logos.nationalinterest.in on September 15, 2013, and can be accessed here. A minimalist theory of state functions explains the main functions of the state as being (a) the function of collecting revenue, (b) the maintenance of law and order, and (c) the protection of a nation’s boundaries. State capacity is … Continue reading Can the state handle it?
Fatal attraction: The State’s “public purpose” in Land Acquisition
This post was first published in The Broad Mind, on September 12, 2013. Both houses of Parliament recently passed The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (“2013 Act”), repealing the century-old Land Acquisition Act, 1894. For years, the new law was touted as the panacea to the … Continue reading Fatal attraction: The State’s “public purpose” in Land Acquisition
The Indian Olympic Committee follows the “law of the land”
According to recent news reports the Indian Olympic Commission will continue to be disbarred from the International Olympic Association, due to its refusal to accept a "contentious" clause that prevents "charge-sheeted officials from taking part in administration or contesting elections." (read here, and here) The reason is not difficult to fathom: "Its secretary-general Lalit Bhanot faces … Continue reading The Indian Olympic Committee follows the “law of the land”
RTI Amendment: Legislative supremacy and judicial intervention
Bhargavi wrote a great piece yesterday on the tendency of legislatures to nullify judicial pronouncements by passing laws which overturn judgements/orders. She rightly pointed out this practice as a major issue which needs greater deliberation. There is however, one other issue which needs to be considered while thinking of possible solutions. This is the issue … Continue reading RTI Amendment: Legislative supremacy and judicial intervention
The narrative of independent regulators
This post first appeared as an article on Bar and Bench on July 31, 2013. The original can be accessed here. Those following important policy developments recently will notice numerous announcements proposing new “independent” regulators. Beginning with SEBI in the early 1990s, and TRAI in the late 90s, a number of independent regulators have … Continue reading The narrative of independent regulators
State Building in India II: Indian Constitution and new states
I had written this post in 2009 when Telengana first became a major political issue. I am re-posting it since major decisions about the creation of Telengana are underway. Minor edits and updates have been made and are provided in italics. In my earlier post on the issue of Telengana's statehood, I tried to provide … Continue reading State Building in India II: Indian Constitution and new states
Ordinance Route
This article first appeared in Frontline on July 24, 2013, and can be accessed here. In my article, I examine the true intent behind giving the executive the power to promulgate ordinances, and how the use of this power has been at complete variance from such original intent. The misuse of this power over … Continue reading Ordinance Route
Transparency and Political Parties – Finding the Right Instrument
In a recent post, I had written on why I think bringing political parties under the Right to Information Act is a bad idea. Economic and Political Weekly recently published my article on the same topic, where I critique the judgement of the Central Information Commission in detail, and argue that transparency in incomes and … Continue reading Transparency and Political Parties – Finding the Right Instrument
The narrative of judicial appointments
This post first appeared as an article on Bar and Bench on July 2, 2013, and can be accessed at their website here. News reports have indicated the government’s plan to establish a judicial appointments commission (“JAC”) for the appointment of Supreme Court and High Court judges. If established, the body would not only mark a sharp change … Continue reading The narrative of judicial appointments
Proposed CBI Reforms: Will the Central Bureau of Investigation remain a “caged parrot”?
The Central government recently set up a Group of Ministers to propose reforms and ensure the functional independence of the CBI. This came in the wake of the Supreme Court criticizing the government for its interference in the Coal blocks allocation scam. The Court had asked the government to "come out with a law to … Continue reading Proposed CBI Reforms: Will the Central Bureau of Investigation remain a “caged parrot”?
Death at Kedarnath: Mule owners and their right to strike
Little noticed news reports in a couple of papers (here and here) indicate that the death of many pilgrims in Kedarnath may have been exacerbated by the actions of local mule owners and contractors for car parking lots in the days leading up to the heavy rains and clash floods. The local mule owners and … Continue reading Death at Kedarnath: Mule owners and their right to strike
The extinction of the Telegram
Firstpost reports that the Telegraph service in India will be discontinued from July 15, 2013, 160 years after the service was started in India. While telegrams have really become a relic, a service that people hardly use anymore, the growth and advent of telegraphs in India parallels the growth and spread of the British empire … Continue reading The extinction of the Telegram
Should political parties be subject to the Right to Information Act?
The Central Information Commission (CIC), on June 3, 2013, stated that political parties are "public authorities" under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act). Public authorities under the RTI Act are required to make pro active disclosures regarding their organization and its functioning. In addition, they have to appoint Public Information Officers (PIOs). Members … Continue reading Should political parties be subject to the Right to Information Act?
THE INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC OF REDDYS PART ONE AN EXPRESS INVESTIGATION From Minister to Collecto
THE INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC OF REDDYS PART ONE AN EXPRESS INVESTIGATION From Minister to Collectoread more...
Anirudh Burman 