PARAGRAPH, WORDS AND MEANINGS
TOPIC OF THE DAY-
Poll Position: On The Delay In Drafting The Cauvery Scheme –
The Centre’s excuse for being unable to submit a draft scheme on the Cauvery issue is so poor that it will convince nobody. That it was extremely reluctant to take a decision which could have electoral repercussions in Karnataka, which goes to the polls on May 12, is well known. But the Attorney General’s explanation that the draft scheme could not be readied because the Prime Minister and other ministers were busy “travelling” in Karnataka is laughable.
While the world of politics is sometimes ruled more by expediency than law, the Centre has cut a sorry figure by admitting in court that its leaders are too preoccupied with an election campaign to fulfil a court directive — one over which it could be punished for contempt. That the Attorney General asked for the contempt petition to be taken up a day after the Karnataka election gives the game away. There are several reasons why the Centre’s stand is legally untenable and morally wrong. First and foremost, the framing of a scheme to implement a river water tribunal’s award is the Centre’s statutory obligation, and it is not open to the government to weigh its political or electoral implications in the face of such a deadline.
Besides, the plea that the Prime Minister and the Union Minister concerned were unavailable is questionable — a day before the submission was made, the Cabinet had met and announced important decisions. In its verdict on February 16, 2018, the apex court granted six weeks’ time to the Centre for framing the scheme. It added for good measure that no extension of time would be granted on any ground. Yet, on the eve of the expiry of the deadline, the Union government chose to file an application seeking three more months.
Tamil Nadu filed a contempt petition. In its application for more time, the Centre had mentioned that it had convened a meeting of representatives of the four States and had also cited the differences of opinion among the States over the composition of the proposed mechanism. There was at least a ring of truth to this, given that consulting the parties over the composition of the scheme was necessary to frame it. Even then, the Supreme Court was unimpressed; it had asked the Centre to prove its bona fides by submitting a draft scheme on May 3.
That it not only failed to do so, but also chose to cite the Prime Minister’s preoccupation with the campaign is bound to raise questions about its commitment to impartial governance and its disdain for judicial orders. The Centre’s attitude suggests that it hopes to persuade the court that a degree of political expediency in the light of the election is normal and acceptable. Clearly, it is not as keen on proving its own bona fides as it is on improving its prospects in Karnataka.
WORDS AND MEANINGS –
1) Reluctant
Meaning: Unwilling and hesitant; disinclined.
Example: “today, many ordinary people are still reluctant to talk about politics”
Synonyms: Unwilling, Grudging
Antonyms: Willing, Eager
2) Repercussions
Meaning: An unintended consequence of an event or action, especially an unwelcome one.
Example: “the move would have grave repercussions for the entire region”
Synonyms: Consequence, Effect
3) Expediency
Meaning: The quality of being convenient and practical despite possibly being improper or immoral; convenience.
Example: “an act of political expediency”
Synonyms: Convenience, Advantage
Antonyms: Disadvantage
4) Cut a sorry figure
Meaning: To be ashamed.
Example: She cut a sorry figure in his maiden speech.
5) Preoccupied
Meaning: (of a matter or subject) dominate or engross the mind of (someone) to the exclusion of other thoughts.
Example: “his mother was preoccupied with paying the bills”
Synonyms: Concerned
6) Contempt
Meaning: Behaviour that is illegal because it does not obey or respect the rules of a law court.
Example: The tobacco companies may be guilty of contempt of court for refusing to produce the documents.
7) Gives the game away
Meaning: To spoil a surprise or a joke by telling someone something that should have been kept secret.
Example: It’s a secret, so don’t give the game away, will you?
Synonyms: Revealing secrets, Becoming known
8) Untenable
Meaning: (especially of a position or view) not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection.
Example: “this argument is clearly untenable”
Synonyms: Unarguable, Flawed
Antonyms: Tenable, Defensible
9) Obligation
Meaning: The condition of being morally or legally bound to do something.
Example: “they are under no obligation to stick to the scheme”
10) Weigh
Meaning: To carefully consider, especially by comparing facts or possibilities, in order to make a decision.
Example: Economic benefits must be carefully weighed against the possible dangers of handling radioactive waste.
11) A ring of truth
Meaning: To seem to be true.
Example: This story has the ring of truth.
Synonyms: True, Real
Antonyms: False, Unreal
12) Preoccupation
Meaning: The state or condition of being preoccupied or engrossed with something.
Example: “his preoccupation with politics”
Synonyms: Concentration, Absorption
13) Disdain
Meaning: The feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one’s consideration or respect.
Example: “her upper lip curled in disdain”
Synonyms: Contempt, Scorn
Antonyms: Admiration, Respect
14) Persuade
Meaning: To cause people to do or believe something, esp. by explaining why they should.
Example: The government is trying to persuade consumers to save more.
15) Expediency
Meaning: The quality of being convenient and practical despite possibly being improper or immoral; convenience.
Example: “an act of political expediency”
Synonyms: Convenience, Advantage
Antonyms: Disadvantage
