SC direction on removal of governors is welcome

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MADHU AGRAWAL

08 May, 2010

It refers to retirement-eve verdict by Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan heading the five-member bench of Supreme Court rejecting centre's right to call back a state-governor appointed by the earlier regime. But there have

IT REFERS to retirement-eve verdict by Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan heading the five-member bench of Supreme Court rejecting centre’s right to call back a state-governor appointed by the earlier regime. But there has been misuse of office of state-governors at times especially in case of hung assemblies.

Best is to restrict the discretionary powers of state-governors by electing Chief Ministers by secret and compulsory vote through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) on nominations signed by at least one-third members. Such an elected Chief Minister may only be removed by same procedure but with compulsion to vote for alternate leader in the same motion.

Only non-politicians like retired judges or bureaucrats should be appointed on post of Governors, with binding of not joining active politics after retirement. In case of violation, all their pensions and other benefits even for their earlier-held posts may be forfeited.

There have been instances when medically unfit and aged persons are appointed state-governors only to reward their loyalty to the ruling party appointing them. When there is a retirement-age for all including government-servants and judges, there should be an upper age-limit of say 70 years for all such ‘jobs’ or posts where politicians are also eligible to be appointed including even membership of Parliament and state-legislatures.