New home minister's task

The enormity of the terrorist strike on Mumbai and the anger directed at the political class in its aftermath caused the UPA to seek the resignations of the Union home minister, and the CM and home minister of Maharashtra.

There has been talk of many more resignations, especially of those in charge of national security, defence and intelligence. This was only to be expected given the nature of administrative failures at all levels.

The Congress had to do something to counter its ���soft on terror��� image, which, exit polls suggest, could have some adverse impact on the UPA���s fortunes in the ongoing assembly elections. In fact, the change of guard at the home ministry should have come much earlier because, in public perception, Shivraj Patil had ceased to inspire confidence.

If he had survived this long, it was merely because of Congress president Sonia Gandhi���s generosity. One is not suggesting that a change of guard earlier would have completely changed the security environment. For, the rot in the political-administrative set-up is far deeper as experienced even by the NDA regime.

The system, indeed, requires a total overhaul. But even to perform at optimal levels within the existing system, the nation perhaps needed better stewardship of the home ministry. To that extent, P Chidambarm���s shift to the post of home minister is to be welcomed.

Chidambaram is known to be a hard taskmaster who makes the bureaucracy put in long hours. The home ministry, and its various organisations, could do with a rigorous work culture.

Even if the UPA���s tenure ends in about five months, a committed leadership can put in place systems that give comfort to the Indian people that terrorists cannot have such an easy run of the place. The home minister could begin by immediately prioritising a few things that bring back some confidence.

A truly holistic intelligence-collating system is the need of the hour. Simple mechanisms like well-equipped speed boats patrolling sensitive points on India���s vast coastline is eminently and immediately doable.

Things such as a special aircraft that is in attendance for the NSG round the clock can also be immediately provided. Upgrading the basic weapons system for the police across various states should also not take much time. A lot can be done to arrest the deteriorating security environment.