PDF 13th Nov. 2016
Daily English Vocab
Punjab’s legislative adventurism
There was never any doubt that Punjab’s legislative adventurism in enacting a law in 2004 to
terminate all previous agreements on sharing the waters of the Ravi and the Beas with its
neighbours would not survive judicial scrutiny (समीक्षा). Answering a Presidential reference on
the validity of Punjab’s action, the Supreme Court has declared the State’s law illegal. It has ruled
that Punjab reneged (मक
ु रना/इनकार करना) on its solemn (गंभीर/महत्तत्तवपर्
ू )ण promises by
terminating its 1981 agreement with Haryana and Rajasthan to discharge itself of the obligation to
construct the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal. Its objective was to overcome the 2004 decree
(ननर्णय/आज्ञा) passed by the Supreme Court directing it to complete the canal work expeditiously
(शीघ्रता से/तेजी से ). The court’s reasoning draws from previous verdicts (फैसला /ननर्णय ) relating
to the Cauvery and Mullaperiyar disputes, reiterating (बार बार दहु राना ) the principle that “a State
cannot, through legislation, do an act in conflict with the judgment of the highest court which has
attained finality.” It is another matter if legislation takes the form of a validating Act to cure
specific illegalities or one that removes the basis for a particular verdict. The verdict by a fivemember Bench is a timely reminder that it would be destructive of the rule of law and federalism
if a State were to be allowed to usurp (अनधिकार ग्रहर् करना) judicial powers by nullifying a
verdict that has rendered findings on both fact and law.
As Punjab heads for the Assembly election, this issue has already led to posturing by all major
parties on which among them is the best protector of the State’s interests. This attitude leads to a
disturbing tendency among States to be judges in their own cause, especially when it comes to
water disputes. Political parties in power increasingly resort to legislation or Assembly resolutions
rather than negotiation. The Opposition parties collaborate in this with equal zeal, lest they be seen
to be wanting in passion for the cause. Punjab may well have had legitimate grievances
(कष्ट/ववपत्त्तत/पररवेदना), historically, in the sharing of waters. This was, in fact, the reason the
Rajiv-Longowal accord of 1985 contained clauses relating to river-water sharing too. Earlier,
differences were first settled by a notification by the Centre in 1976. When the matter led to
litigation (मुकदमेबाजी), Prime Minister Indira Gandhi brokered an agreement in 1981. In effect,
the present arrangements, which Punjab seeks to wriggle out (बच ननकलना) of, are backed by three
agreements. The Supreme Court ruled against Punjab in 2002 as well as in 2004. The State’s
obligation to allow the completion of the SYL Link Canal, so that Haryana can utilise the share of
water allocated to it, cannot be frustrated any more. If Punjab feels aggrieved (असंतुष्ट/व्यधित),
there may be scope for negotiation and conciliation even now, but it cannot take action unilaterally.
Courtesy: The Hindu.
1. Scrutiny (noun): critical observation or examination. (समीक्षा/सूक्ष्म परीक्षर्)


Synonyms: Inspection, Investigation, Probe, Enquiry, Check, Analysis
Antonyms: Ignorance, Avoidance
Example: every aspect of local government was placed under scrutiny.
Verb forms: Scrutinize, Scrutinized, Scrutinized.
Related words:
Scrutinize (verb) – जांचना
2. Renege (verb): go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract. (मुकरना/इनकार करना)


Synonyms: denial, malfunction, reverse, nay, negative, negation.
Antonyms: agree, allow, consent, accord.
Example: The kind manager did everything he could to ensure he would not renege on the
promises he made to his employees.
Verb forms: Renege, Reneged, Reneged.
3. Solemn (adjective): characterized by deep sincerity./ extremely somber or serious.
(गंभीर/महत्तत्तवपूर्)ण


Synonyms: Sincere, Sedate, Sober, Deep, Sedate, Serious.
Antonyms: Trivial, Insignificant, Unimpressive, Frivolous.
Example: Here was no humor in the principal’s solemn face as she talked about the
consequences of school bullying.
Related words:
Solemnly (adverb) -दृढ़तापव
ण
ू क
4. Decree (noun): an official order that has the force of law. (ननर्णय/आज्ञा)


Synonyms: Order, Edict, Command, Commandment, Mandate, Proclamation, Dictum.
Antonyms: Disorganization, Lawlessness.
Example: According to the court’s decree, all suspects can meet their accusers in court.
Verb forms: Decree, Decreed, Decreed.
Related words:
Decree (verb) - ननर्णय करना
5. Expeditiously (adverb): characterized by promptness; quick. (शीघ्रता से/तेजी से)


Synonyms: Rapidly, Soon, Apace, Cursorily, Hurriedly.
Antonyms: Idly, Inactively, Quietly.
Example:
Hopefully, India will expeditiously put in place legal processes to tackle thismenace that affects I
ndia's 40 million youth.
Related words:
Expeditious (adjective): शीघ्रगामी
6. Verdict (noun): an opinion or judgment. (फैसला /ननर्णय)


Synonyms: Decision , Judgment, Ruling.
Antonyms: Accusation, Allegations.
Example: In accordance with the verdict of all five panelists, Sally was crowned the spelling bee
champion.
7. Usurp (verb): take (a position of power or importance) illegally or by force. (अनधिकार
ग्रहर् करना)


Synonyms: Seize, Take Over, Expropriate, Take Possession Of, Arrogate, Annex.
Antonyms: Let Go, Offer, Refuse, Reject, Release, Give In, Relinquish.
Example: Since Lisa could not attend the dance, Marie had plans to usurp the title of
homecoming queen.
Verb forms: Usurp, Usurped, Usurped.
Related words:
Usurpation (noun) - अनधिकार ग्रहर्
8. Grievance (noun): an official statement of a complaint over something believed to be
wrong or unfair. (कष्ट/ववपत्त्तत/पररवेदना)


Synonyms: Ache, Affliction, Distress, Bane.
Antonyms: Delight, Praise, Blessing, Pleasure.
Example: Because of a grievance, I have not spoken to my best friend in over two weeks.
Verb Forms: grieve, grieved, grieved.
Related Words:
Grieve (verb) - दुःु खित होना
Grievous (adjective) - दि
ु द
Grievously (adjective) - उद्वेग सहहत
9. Litigation (noun): the process of taking legal action. (मक
ु दमेबाजी)

Synonyms: lawsuit, case, prosecution, exordium, judicial proceeding.
Example: It was clear to me that the lawyers were deliberately attempting to slow things down
so that they could increase the litigation costs.
Verb forms: Litigate, Litigated, Litigated.
Related words:
Litigate (verb) - मुकदमेबाजी करना
10. Aggrieved (adjective): feeling resentment at having been unfairly treated.
(असंतुष्ट/व्यधित)


Synonyms: Resentful, Affronted, Indignant, Disgruntled, Discontented, Angry,
Distressed, Unhappy.
Antonyms: Comforted, Happy, Pleased.
Example: Wenger, who has not beaten Mourinho in 12 matches, was aggrieved that Arsenal
were not awarded a penalty for an apparent handball.
Verb forms: aggrieve, aggrieved, aggrieved.
Related words:
Aggrieve (verb) - िेद करना
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