Letters: High-level norms

This refers to the report "Govt changes law to appoint Misra principal secy to PM"(May 29). The opinion expressed by former finance secretary E A S Sarma in this context should be kept in view while the government takes a re-look at the law governing all such appointments. The ordinance in the current context is to ensure that the new government does not "violate" an existing legal provision, irrespective of its rationale.

The controversy arising from Misra's appointment should be a pointer for Narendra Modi to be cautious since oppositions in legislatures have no history of constructive co-operation. The government should quickly evolve norms for high-level appointments across various sectors and ensure longer terms at the top, as also provide adequate incentives to the incumbents not to use the appointments as stepping stones to more lucrative positions.

M G Warrier Thiruvananthapuram

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