Some argue that organisations like the Election Commission, CBI, Enforcement Directorate and the income tax department have been "politically weaponised". Such assertions are difficult to dismiss in the absence of definitive and verifiable performance parameters regarding the work of these agencies.
So, is there a case for such agencies to be accredited by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)? Do such organisations need a quality certification? Importantly, is it possible, and if so, how does one go about it? To answer the first part, it would seem there is a definite need for agencies to be quality-certified. Public institutions have vast, overarching powers over citizens.
They are also tasked with ensuring equal treatment, to serve the cause of the nation.
If they are instead made to serve a partisan cause, it would defeat their purpose.
Certified quality standards can ensure that an organisation's principles and civic orientation stay on track. It can also guarantee the agency's autonomy and fairness.
Such standards will also prevent the easy shifting of responsibility from politicians to the agencies if things go wrong.
The response to the second question is complicated. On the one hand, examples of successful quality standards certification of public agencies are found in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, which show that it is possible. On the other hand, the current state of Indian politics does not offer much hope for such certification to yield the desired results.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Bland mix of several underwhelming ideas
Beyond the world of genres and subgenres, lies stories which are powerful enough to become popular tropes of their own. A group of kids going on adventures, and solving mysteries, is one such trope. We have seen iterations of this in popular media like The Famous Five, The Goonies, and Stranger Things. While trying to follow a popular story structure is nothing to be frowned upon, Prime Video's Snakes and Ladders goes above and beyond to remove even the inherent joys of the stories it aims to emulate.
FAIR ACTION IS THE NEED OF THE HOUR
THE tragic suicide of Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu in Kannur district, allegedly following a public rebuke by district panchayat president PP Divya, has kicked up a huge storm in Kerala.
MASTERCLASS BEYOND METHOD ACTING
A blank screen in a cinema theatre transforms every day, portraying tales of heart-wrenching star-crossed lovers, a goosebump-inducing haunted house, or comedy that leaves one aching all over. Many have written endlessly about the power and magic of cinema, and rightfully so. A movie-going experience is incomparable. In Tamil Nadu, theatres are never empty, single screens thrum with whistles, howls and kuthu moves, and the first-day-first-show tickets are coveted. And neighbourhoods in Vadapalani and Kodambakkam are landmarks, still carry dreams of aspiring actors.
All pointing upwards: Pradhan on growth of women's game
IT has been two years since former India cricketer Snehal Pradhan took over as Manager Women's Cricket at the International Cricket Council.
Comedy and the craft behind it
“I am in my thirties now,” Abhijit Ganguly says, pausing to let the laughter ripple through the room. “And everything changes. Even the way you smell. I used to smell like Axe or Old Spice, but now? Badminton — forehand, backhand.” Lines from his performances encapsulate his humour — sharp, self-deprecating, and relatable.
Sai Sudharsan's double ton puts TN in command
TAMIL Nadu opener B Sai Sudharsan's magnificent maiden first-class double century (202 batting) put his team in command against Delhi on the first day of the Ranji Trophy played at the Arun Jaitley stadium on Friday.
Tamil Nadu U19 women crowned T20 champions
TAMIL NADU women beat Uttar Pradesh to win their first-ever U19 T20 title in Lahli on Friday. Opting to field first in a low-scoring thriller, TN bowled out UP for 67 in 19.2 overs with Janlin Chandra taking four wickets for 11 runs. TN got across the line in the penultimate over with four wickets in hand.
Resurrection on Day three
Rohit, Kohli and Sarfaraz hit fifties to keep the hosts in the game against New Zealand
Rachin special in Garden City once again
INDIA had a small window of opportunity in the morning session. To their credit, they had a chance to squeeze through that window after a really good hour's work where they had broken the spine of the visitors' batting unit.
Special code for Vistara flights
AIR India has decided to keep the legacy of Vistara alive even as the joint venture (with Singapore International Airline) carrier will be operating its last flight on November 11.