MAIL TODAY COMMENT.

What has the PMO been waiting for?

THE PRIME Minister's Office has clarified on the matter of government officials allegedly taking bribes from American companies, but this clarification has come a bit late in the day.

In a letter dated May 12 2009, the Indian ambassador to the United States, Meera Shankar, had communicated to T. K. A. Nair, the principal secretary to the Prime Minister, that several American companies had pleaded guilty to bribing Indian officials and have already been fined under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and has asked that India should initiate action against officials found to have received those kickbacks.

The bribes were paid over six years between 2000 and 2006 and continued over two regimes -- the NDA led by the BJP as well as the UPA led by the Congress. The PMO clarified on Tuesday that action was initiated immediately after the government received the ambassador's letter and that much of the corruption took place when the NDA was in power.

While the swift action is indeed commendable, a few questions remain. For instance, when this newspaper sought to highlight the matter on Monday, why was there no comment from the PMO -- either from the official spokesperson or from Mr Nair if the inquiries had already been instituted? The PMO's official response on Monday was that it had only received the letter. Secondly, if there are departmental inquiries initiated against those officials, and in one specific case -- the bribing by Dow Chemicals -- a CBI inquiry was instituted, what is the status of these cases? The public has the right to know especially after the Prime Minister's advice to the CBI in August that it should go for the " big fish" when dealing with corruption cases. The PMO's decision to give out information on these corruption cases only on a need- toknow basis is a bad precedent when it comes to similar inquiries in future cases of graft.

Reform a must

THE vice- president of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board ( AIMPLB), Kalbe Sadiq, deserves praise for speaking out in favour of 30 per cent reservation for women in the body. Though the AIMPLB is concerned primarily with marriage, divorce and inheritance laws of the Muslim community, in all of which women are primary stakeholders, its views are overwhelmingly shaped by men. There are just 25 women in the 251- member body.

Considering that aspects of Muslim personal law are in dire need of reform, this is hardly conducive to change of any sort.

This state of affairs has less to do with Islam than its interpretation and practice in India. For instance the laws of marriage relating to women are more forward- looking in Pakistan, though it is an Islamic republic. Likewise the provisions of divorce in India can be questioned on the basis of practices followed in Islam centuries ago.

A greater representation for women on AIMPLB is not going to be a panacea, but it will definitely be a step in the right direction.

Hopefully it will lead to greater empowerment of Muslim women, dulling criticism from quarters that cite discriminatory provisions in Muslim personal law to seek a uniform civil code. However, for this to happen, those who take it upon themselves to be the self- appointed guardians of the Muslim community have to initiate change from within rather than opposing it tooth and nail.

Expertise will help

THE Commonwealth Games Federation's decision to involve more foreign experts in preparations for the 2010 Games is a welcome one. With less than a year to go for the big event to be hosted by India, preparations are undoubtedly behind schedule.

There is need for greater professionalism in organisational aspects relating to ticketing, accreditation, accommodation and medical cover for the athletes and officials.

No doubt, Indian officials are feeling slighted as more foreigners being roped in means their own roles could get diminished.

But if one looks at the macro view, the CGF is keen to have a good Commonwealth Games and has given an assurance the event will not be shifted out of India.

From now on, every minute counts and the Organising Committee, headed by Suresh Kalmadi, needs to ensure the pace of work on all fronts is speeded up.

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