The point made by Somasekhar Sundaresan in his piece, "Rule by men -not the rule - of law" (February 23), about governments ceding ground to the courts is a real issue now. It is not just that governments of the day have failed to address major issues affecting society, communities and individuals; there has also been a collective failure of the governance system, with lawmakers not working and understanding the impact of the laws they are adopting; of government officials failing to implement laws and policies already in existence; of the police failing to apply force without being perceived as unfair or biased.
Examples abound, one of them being the way India's environment and labour laws have been flouted. Forest land is regularly usurped for industrial, housing and transport projects without due legal process or compensating for forest cover. The same is the case for coastal area restrictions and tribal land. Most major industrial plants now employ employees on a contract or temporary basis, usually with fewer benefits and perks, and virtually no health, trade union or employment protection rights.
For many, courts are the only ray of hope for getting what is due to them. Courts are the only place where the influence of money, authority and political thought systems do not overpower the ordinary citizen.
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number
Examples abound, one of them being the way India's environment and labour laws have been flouted. Forest land is regularly usurped for industrial, housing and transport projects without due legal process or compensating for forest cover. The same is the case for coastal area restrictions and tribal land. Most major industrial plants now employ employees on a contract or temporary basis, usually with fewer benefits and perks, and virtually no health, trade union or employment protection rights.
For many, courts are the only ray of hope for getting what is due to them. Courts are the only place where the influence of money, authority and political thought systems do not overpower the ordinary citizen.
P Datta, Kolkata
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number