RESERVATION OF QUOTAS FOR WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT

I am of the firm opinion that reservation of special quotas in the assemblies and parliament for women would result in inefficiency and corruption. These are not the training centers to groom speakers or rulers or statesmen. It is meant for the selfless, meritorious, experienced, exceptionally brilliant, talented and mature persons with character and integrity, who are successful in one or more fields. They alone should be accommodated in the Parliament and Assemblies where very important businesses are transacted. The immature and unqualified spouse and children or close relative of a deceased Member of Parliament or Legislative Assemblies should not be chosen to contest election or by-election on sympathetic grounds. Moreover the term of a Member of Parliament or Assemblies or a minister should be limited to two terms. One should realize that there is no dearth for competent persons; be it for the post of the Prime Minister or other important posts in this country.

“Devils rush in where angels fear to tread.” The parliament and assemblies should not be the abode of criminals, inefficient people and corrupt persons. The executive, the legislature and the judiciary shall be accountable to the people of this country, the real sovereign. The corrupt ministers, leaders and judges shall be dealt with all seriousness. Substitution of parliamentary form of government with presidential form could also be seriously considered.

Reservation should be confined to local bodies; the panchayath, the municipality and the municipal corporations, which are the stepping stones to higher levels.

At this juncture, I would like to mention that merit alone should be the criterion for appointments to the higher levels of government posts in the executive and the judiciary and to higher levels of teachers to IITs, AIIMS, IIMs and other advanced courses. Reservation should be confined to the first appointment at the lowest level alone; otherwise it would result in inefficiency and would demoralize the candidates appointed on the basis of merit.

Excerpts from

MEMOIRS

An autobiography

by

Joseph J. Thayamkeril

Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.

josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com
josephjthatamkeril@gmail.com