BackPresident laments decline of Indian institutions
On eve of Independence Day, Pranab Mukherjee says ‘we need leadership that is committed to the nation’
Premium(Bloomberg)
New Delhi: Lamenting the decline in the influence of institutions such as the legislature and the judiciary, President Pranab Mukherjee in his customary address to the nation on the eve of India’s Independence Day said this was leading to wastage of precious resources “through indolence and indifference".
Emphasizing the delicate balance of power needed between institutions such as the executive and the judiciary, the President said “we need leadership that is committed to the nation and those values that made us a great civilization".
In a reference to the now familiar and frequent stalling of proceedings in Parliament due to tensions between the ruling and opposition groups, Mukherjee spoke of widespread disillusionment of the people with governance structures and the functioning of institutions in the country.
“Our legislatures look more like combat arenas, rather than fora that legislate. Corruption has become a major challenge. The precious resources of the nation are being wasted through indolence and indifference. It is sapping the dynamism of our society. We need to correct this regression," he said on Wednesday.
“Democracy breathes through a vibrant parliament, an independent judiciary, a responsible media, a vigilant civil society, and a bureaucracy committed to integrity and hard work. It survives through accountability, not profligacy. And yet we have allowed unbridled personal enrichment, self-indulgence, intolerance, discourtesy in behaviour, and disrespect for authority to erode our work culture," said Mukherjee, a stalwart of the ruling Congress party before he was elected President last year. “The biggest impact of the decay in the moral fibre of our society is on the hopes and aspirations of the young and the poor."
The United Progressive Alliance government has been buffeted by a series of controversies and scams since being re-elected to office in 2009.
These include alleged irregularities in the allocation of telecom spectrum, organization of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and distribution of Adarsh Housing Society apartments meant for widows of the 1999 Kargil war to politicians and bureaucrats in Maharashtra.
Recently, the Congress has been attacked on allegations that Robert Vadra, businessman and son-in-law of party president Sonia Gandhi, made a killing on a land deal with developer DLF Ltd, without making any significant investment in it. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has also censured the ministry of defence for “several instances" of deviation from rules in procuring VVIP choppers.
Critics say the charges have resulted in a paralysis within the government, stalling decision-making.
“Mukherjee is setting a new benchmark of how the President, elder statesman or head of the state should reflect. Normally, there is no precedence of the President talking about what I call the underdog sentiments of the nation," said N. Bhaskara Rao, political analyst who has closely observed the Congress party. “There is a tacit understanding that somebody has to reflect on issues like corruption and price rise," he added.
“Our Constitution provides a delicate balance of power between various institutions of the State. This balance has to be maintained," Mukherjee said. “We need a Parliament that debates, discusses and decides. We need a judiciary that gives justice without delays. We need leadership that is committed to the nation and those values that made us a great civilization. We need a state that inspires confidence among people in its ability to surmount challenges before us. We need a media and citizens who, even as they claim their rights, are equally committed to their responsibilities."
Mukherjee, who was India’s finance minister till last year, also linked higher economic growth to an efficient and responsive government, saying there “is a direct relationship between a successful democracy and a successful economy, for we are a people-driven nation... Faster growth has given us the resources, but larger outlays have not translated into better outcomes. Without inclusive governance, we cannot achieve inclusive growth."
Speaking on the general election scheduled to be held next year, Mukherjee said this “festival of democracy" would be an “opportunity" to “elect a stable government which will ensure security and economic development. Every election must become a crucial milestone in our nation’s journey towards greater social harmony, peace and prosperity."
On recent tensions with Pakistan, Mukherjee said “patience has limits" and all “necessary steps" will be taken to ensure internal security and protect territorial integrity. Without mentioning Pakistan by name, Mukherjee said that despite India’s consistent efforts to build friendly relations with neighbours, there were tensions on the border and repeated violations of ceasefire on the Line of Control, leading to a tragic loss of lives.
Anuja contributed to this story.
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