sapta-sindhu

A twist in the tale.

So there has been another scam. Yawn! ok so whats new you say.. Fair enough. Only this time around action is being taken. Wait, No! I am not talking about a cover up operation. I meant actions to correct the mistake. Wow! This is definitely something new in the annals of Indian governance.

Anyway the storyline is rather familiar nothing out of the blue. PM appoints minister, minister abuses power, investigative journalists unearth the scam, there is an uproar in the parliament, oppostion wants government to resign ( or atleast the concerned minister), parliamentary proceedings are halted ( tax payer money wasted, but then who cares about them anyway ) , government announces 'inquiry comission' with directive to report back in 90 days, end of story. No report, no action and or corrective measures are taken. In anycase this time around the scam on hand is the method of allotment of petrol bunks, LPG agencies and kerosene dealerships by the Petroleum minister Ram Naik. Apparently it reeks with nepotism and whatever else you can think off. Needless to say there has been an uproar over this issue in the parliament and followed by a demand for everybody and their mother to step down.

Now for the twist in tale. The climax. Its sort of Shymalanesque.

The PM has actually cancelled all the allotments made since January 2000 and has called for a review of the allotment procedure. Agreed, this is not something that one should be proud or brag about. But such is the state of affairs that something like this is treated as a positive. The BJP promised 'governance with a difference', it has not lived up to its promise. The way it has handled this issue is a good start. Personally I think there should be a quick and thorough investigation with the findings made public. If there is any proof wrong doing then the concerned officials/ minister must be asked/made to resign.

Now, that would truly be a governance with a difference !

Posted by sai at August 6, 2002 02:59 PM