Code of conduct for ministers in centre and states

25 October, 2012

It refers to Code of Conduct issued by Union Ministry of Home affairs (MHA) for Ministers (including Prime Minister and Chief Ministers) at the Centre and in states - a copy of which is with this citizen journalist. Fortunately enough, states have not objected for their own right to delete any of the provision on plea of autonomy granted to them under federal structure of the Constitution.

BUT MANY of the provisions such as restrictions of business dealings of their family-members with public authorities, attending ostentatious and lavish parties in their honour, are being openly flouted by Ministers especially in name of their birthday celebrations.

There are many instances like en-masse change of logos of many public-sector banks allegedly for benefit of family-member of a Union Minister. Rather conduct-code should totally ban putting pictorial posters, hoardings and advertisements for birthday-wishes to Ministers either by public-authorities or their supporters. Even a ban should be imposed on their attending lavish parties like in mega-budgeted marriage-related functions.

Otherwise also, drafted code leaves several grey areas to cover-up misdeeds like requiring them to ‘immediately’ pass on amounts received by them to office-bearers the amounts received by them in respect of their political parties and any registered society. It is a common fact that many ministers run Non Government Organizations (NGOs) in name of their family members and/or their political supporters which at times are under cloud for misappropriation of funds.

Giving liberty to Ministers fund-raising for their political parties or any other institution is often misused as ministerial influence. Rather persons running NGOs in name of family-members should not be appointed ministers. A minister should also not hold any post in political party or even in any private and public body.

Code of conduct for Ministers should be publicized adequately through newspaper advertisements to make media and people proper vigil on its violation. Comments from public should be invited to make such conduct code stringent to induce honesty and austerity for ministers.