Brinda Karat makes out a veiled but forceful case for the abolition of the office of State Governor citing imperfections and infirmities in the way they are appointed , the way they are subjected to pressures and dictats by their political masters in the Central Government and the way they meddle in the running of the universities under the aegis of the UGC , in appointment of Vice-Chancellors , crafting education policy etc. etc.
Many of the points Brinda Karat raises are just a rehash of quite old debates on the very need for the position of Governors in a federal system of states that the Indian Constitution envisages.
If Brinda Karat and the innuendoes of her Op-Ed piece were to be believed the State Governor is a constitutional nuisance, who is expected by his masters to keep pushing the envelop and often act even ultra-vires, who serves no real purpose except to act as a henchman of the Centre and who is also a huge drain on the public exchequer.
According to some constitutional pundits the position of Governor is a relic of the British Empire’s colonial rule. If Modi Govt. is so keen on “decolonizing the mindset of new India” why doesn’t it start with abolishing this Office ?
The duties and functions of the Governor could easily be right-sized and levelled down by simply re-distributing and dispersing them sagaciously amongst other apex but delegatee-agencies —- of Law , Intelligence, National Security and Central Services presently all working under the Central Govt.
Why centralise and concentrate constitutional all powers vested in the office of Governor in one un-elected person? Why not de-personalise and institutionalise the functions of a Governor to ensure greater degree of balance in the checks that are otherwise imposed upon it ?
Food for some thought here ?
Sudarshan Madabushi