THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary - May 5, 2018 - Topic 1

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.

Vocabulary

Excuse: a reason or explanation put forward to defend or justify a fault or offense.

Example: There can be no possible excuse for any further delay

Synonyms: justification, defense, reason, explanation, mitigating circumstance

Convince: cause someone to believe firmly in the truth of something.

Example: Robert's expression had obviously convinced her of his innocence

Synonyms: make certain, persuade, satisfy, prove to, assure

Repercussion: an unintended consequence occurring some time after an event or action, especially an unwelcome one.

Example: The move would have grave repercussions for the entire region

Synonyms: consequences, results, effects, outcome, reverberations, backlash

Reluctant: unwilling and hesitant; disinclined.

Example: She seemed reluctant to discuss the matter

Synonyms: unwilling, disinclined, unenthusiastic, resistant, resisting, opposed

Laughable: so ludicrous as to be amusing.

Example: If it didn't make me so angry it would be laughable

Synonyms: ridiculous, ludicrous, absurd, risible, preposterous, foolish

Contempt: the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn.

Example: He showed his contempt for his job by doing it very badly

Synonyms: scorn, disdain, disrespect, scornfulness, contemptuousness, derision

Untenable: not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection.

Example: This argument is clearly untenable

Synonyms: indefensible, insupportable, unsustainable, unjustified, unjustifiable

Obligation: an act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound

Example: He has enough cash to meet his present obligations

Synonyms: duty, commitment, responsibility, function, task, job

Implication: the conclusion that can be drawn from something, although it is not explicitly stated.

Example: The implication is that no one person at the bank is responsible

Synonyms: suggestion, insinuation, innuendo, hint, intimation, imputation

Extension: a part that is added to something to enlarge or prolong it; a continuation.

Example: The railroad's southern extension

Contempt: the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn.

Example: He showed his contempt for his job by doing it very badly

Synonyms: scorn, disdain, disrespect, scornfulness, contemptuousness, derision

Unimpressed: feeling no admiration, interest, or respect.

Example: However, industry observers were unimpressed , and it has failed to lift the share price

Impartial: treating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and just.

Example: Independent and impartial advice

Synonyms: unbiased, unprejudiced, neutral, nonpartisan, nondiscriminatory

Disdain: consider to be unworthy of one's consideration.

Example: Gamblers disdain four-horse races

Synonyms: scorn, deride, pour scorn on, regard with contempt, sneer at, sniff at

Prospects: the possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring

Example: There was no prospect of a reconciliation

Synonyms: likelihood, hope, expectation, anticipation, good/poor chance