Chidambaram Brings Order to ‘Home’

New Delhi: From strengthening intelligence apparatus to most importantly ensuring coordination among the security agencies to prevent the nightmare of another Mumbai- type attack, Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram has made a seamless transition from Finance Ministry in the last one year.

Sixty-four-year old Chidambaram, who assumed charge of the Home Ministry on December one reluctantly — as he had himself said — after Shivraj Patil’s resignation in the wake of the November 26 attacks, had invested a lot of his time and efforts to overhaul the security establishment.

He made decision-making process fast, transparent and accountable.

The image of a tough taskmaster helped him aptly in the ministry where critics felt approach was lackadaisical under previous incumbents during whose tenure there were a number of attacks, capped by the Mumbai violence.

Chidambaram reorganised the intelligence network that included revamping the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) and Subsidiary MAC, tightened the provisions in the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and got amended the CISF Act, which allowed the central paramilitary force to guard private installations.

Sending a clear message that he means business, the Harvard-educated lawyer was quick to set up a federal investigating agency through a parliamentary law, just within a month of assuming charge.

Chidambaram himself feels the task is tough. Asked if he has nightmares, he said, “I live with intelligence reports everyday. I do not forget my responsibility that I have to deal with intelligence reports that come in everyday.

“My successor and his successor, if they are conscientious ministers, I believe they will be, will learn to deal with the situation. There is no need for panic or knee-jerk reactions. We have to deal with an evolving situation coolly, calmly and with confidence,” he said.

However, his critics differ. BJP spokesman Prakash Javedkar claimed that the UPA government lacked political will to fight the terror.

“UPA government lacks political will, legal framework, diplomatic offensive and politics of consensus. These are hallmarks of UPA government,” Javedkar said.

Executive Director of Institute for Conflict Management Ajai Sahni feels performance of the Home Ministry in the last one year was immensely better than previous years.

“The Home Ministry’s performance in last one year was immensely better. There has been major initiatives to improve the security situation of the country.

“But as the Home Minister has himself said, whatever steps have been taken are not enough and vulnerability of terror attacks still exists,” Sahni said.

CPI national secretary D Raja said one year is too short a period to judge any minister but Chidambaram should be more realistic in dealing with security issues.

Tags: Chidambaram Brings, Order to 'Home'