The Supreme Court ruling that auction is not the sole route for the allocation of natural resources has come as a huge relief to the UPA government. The reasoning that every method other than auction “cannot be struck down as ultra vires the constitutional mandate” is particularly significant. In a way, it is a relief to the BJP too.
Although there may be no change in the way the 2G spectrum issue is being handled, the court has ruled that the methodology to be adopted in dealing with natural resources is clearly an economic policy. This has cast the responsibility on the government of the day to be more transparent while taking a decision on whether or not to adopt the auction route.
H.R. Bapu Satyanarayana,
Mysore
The Supreme Court ruling is balanced. It shows that the government’s policy decisions are well guarded. When a government’s decisions are questioned at all times, implementation becomes difficult. There are abnormal delays in executing the policies, defeating their objectives.
The implementation of a policy is questionable, but not the policy. The best laid plans need not ensure success at all times. Political parties should understand policymaking, rather than oppose and question all government decisions.
Balasubramaniam Pavani,
Secunderabad
