In his latest book "Bureaucracy and Politics", Mr. Rafath tries to answer the question - what ails the civil services?
Bureaucracy is the art of making possible impossible. But of late it is in the news for the opposite reason.
Civil servants in the State particularly are going through a bad patch following the recent arrest of two of their colleagues by CBI. They are upset at being hauled up for the ‘misdeeds’ of their political bosses. Is the bureaucracy in the midst of degradation – slow, steady and perpetual? Many feel so with neutrality, its very hallmark, being at stake.
In this context a book on the elite service by an IAS officer, Mohammed Ali Rafath, makes an interesting reading.
Ill-defined relationship
A 1997 batch officer, Mr. Rafath attributes the present state of affairs to the ill-defined relationship between the political executive and the bureaucrats. The expected standards envisaged by the framers of Constitution for the All India Services have not been achieved, he says.
In his latest book “Bureaucracy and Politics”, Mr. Rafath deals at length on this sensitive subject and tries to answer the question - what ails the civil services?
The book takes a peep into inception of the Indian Administrative Service and does a transnational comparison of the civic services vis-à-vis British, American, French and Japanese system. And this only adds to the value of the book.
Immunity from political interference, Mr. Rafath feels, is imperative for career advancement of civil servants. In support of his argument he refers to the set up in UK where the Civil Service Commissioner is responsible for appointment, transfer and promotion of civil servants.
Falling in line
But in India the politicians not only ‘handpick’ officers of their choice but also reward them with plum positions. Those who refuse to fall in line are given insignificant postings.
Mr. Rafath cites examples of susceptibility of the Indian Civil Service to political pressure right from emergency of 1975 to the Gujarat episode of 2002.
“There is urgent need to draw the lines of demarcation between the two to reform the administrative process”, he says.
Mr. Rafath, who presently heads the A.P Dairy Development Cooperative Federation, gives a draft model legislation to streamline the civil services.
An admirer of the legendary civil servant, S.R. Shankaran, he wonders why Chief Secretaries, DGPs, Collectors and SPs are shifted on the eve of elections. “Does it not amount to dissipating neutrality”, he asks.
The growth of regional parties and the substantial economic development have raised the stakes of politicians. And in order to perpetuate their hold on power the administrative machine is sought to be subverted. “The All India Services are the first victims of this pervert exercise”, Mr. Rafath says.
No comments
He wouldn’t like to comment on the arrest of two IAS officers but says bureaucrats ought to be cautious and not succumb to external pressures.
Keywords: IAS officers, Mohammed Ali Rafath, Bureaucracy and Politics
Currently, graduate candidates pass an examination, get some training, and become IAS officers. Some of them move on to become secretaries of various government departments, ambassadors, managing directors of steel plants, refineries, & dairies, election commissioners, and so on. While they may all be very brilliant and smart people, their ability to manage and lead such diverse fields of endeavor is questionable. There should be two or three entry points such that others from private industry and academia can enter at these entry points. Positions such as the heads of industrial organizations should be paid on par with similar private enterprises. The US has Executive Core Qualifications for entry to the Senior Executive Service. India should set Management Core Qualifications, Executive Core Qualifications, and Leader Core Qualifications for three levels of Service. Hopefully with competitive salaries and tenure, capable, bold, independent, and honest people would enter the service.
So many times absolutely irresponsible idiots become ministers elected
by our common people. Who gives the idea to a minister that so much
percentage you can squeeze out of signing this order or that tender -
it is all these IAS officials. The surprising thing is in spite of the
worst culprits as our political bosses still we are able to survive
for the past few decades. The series of articles that appear in this
newspaper indicates that change for the better is shaping up. First
we-the thinking and questioning persons like the commentators in this
article and many others- will throw out the present election system
and decide on some other mode. Next will be different set of
executives to assist the governance. Next .... . . ? ?
as an octogenerin and one who has worked with a lot of administrative
service officers and also taken some classes for some of them i can
say that we do have civil service officers of sterling quality and
expertise but they are all misused by politicians. if we have
politicians like Rajaji or Patel the services would be wonderful. i
quote this because in a case where a minister ordered an officer to do
a thing and he pointed out the rules saying that it is not possible,
the minister got annoyed and shouted that it should be carried out,
the officer politely put up the case to CM(Rajaji)who called the
minister and said 'you may not be the minister from now'but 'the
officer will continue for 25 years so don't be harsh with him!!!!the
officer was considered to be right and the note taken away. do we have
such officers and such politicians. can we produce some!!!!!
In France,the civil servants can apply for leave,say for 5 years and
contest in elections either independantly or on behalf of any party.In
India,it is unthinkable because such a provision is against the interest of the professional politician.In a country where blind allegiance to caste is an integral part of politics and where dynasty playsa sacrosant role in politics,we should not expect any big changes even after centuries.Yes,Churchill is right:India does deserve democracy.
I agree with Mr. Narasimha Rao, except for one aspect, "integrity like
our PM, MMS". God save this country.
Appointment of Civil Servants must be the absolute authority of the
Governor. And the appointment of Governors must be the absolute
authority of the President. Of the eligibility criteria for the
President, 1) he must be a retired civil servant and not a politician,
2) he must have an established reputation for integrity like our PM, MM
Singh. Alternatively all subordinates must have the right to ask for
written instructions whenever they are in doubt about the propriety of
the oral instructions of their superiors.
As a person with a lot of civil service experience I can tell you this article contains a lot of rubbish that is circulated prominently these days. The duty of a civil servant is very clear. The civil servant's advise to the Minister has to be in accordance with law and every executive decision that follows has to be in accordance with law. No politician can compel a civil servant to act outside the law. That kind of compulsion can land the politician in jail and has to be disregarded. When we civil servants compromise, we violate the law, often for personal advantage. There is no point in trying to camouflage this basic truth.
In the name of efficient administration, the government eulogises services like IAS.In the light of technological revolution and complexity of industrial world in information era,it looks that such cadres like IAS is only a burden on people.Most of them become simple puppets in the hands of politicians instead of running administration for the benefit of citizens and it is natural in a feudal country like India.
There should be much wider debate if we want India to make its place in the world arena
This aspect needs to be looked into while we fight for the strong
lokpal. Because the IAS people report to the political bigwigs, their
hands are tied. Interference by politicians is a big problem in doing
their duties. Moreover these people end up sharing the bed with them and
get sucked into the bribe seeking cycle and become part of it,
An admirer and an acquaintance of the Late Mr. S.R.Shankaran and as one, who had
been a professional watcher of the governance apparatus in all its nakedness for six
decades, I wish to submit the rot started in the Congress-ruled States in the early
fifties of the last century. Power-mad politicians grabbed the day today
administration, even then. How else you would explain the Minister allotting rented
houses, the Accommodation Controller, merely signing the papers? This is an
example. A thousand assaults can be listed. But, the civil administration personnel
complied. That spread the rot
Masha'Allah, very good to read the news about a book written by Dr.Mohammad Ali Rafat on IAS. Mabrook to Dr.Rafat.
Transparency is the key to many of the issues related to bureaucracy. I know it's
easily said than done, but it needs to be done nonetheless. IT (Information
Technology) should be implemented at it's fullest which will enhance the
transparency of decision making. Since bureaucrats are some of the best minds of
India, I am not sure why IT is still lagging behind in administration. The only reason
which comes to mind is that bureaucrats as well as politicians know the effect it will
create and they are afraid of it!
Yes. First of all, the administrative control of all the All-India
Cadre Officers like IAS and IPS should be taken away from the
government and entrusted to the UPSC or some independent Commission so
that these officers can discharge their duties and responsibilities
without fear or favour to any one. Secondly, because of political
pressure and nepotism of self-centered political leaders, the
standards fixed for recruitment and selection for IAS and IPS have
been watered down over the years to such an extent that the UPSC is
left with no choice but recommend for appointment barring a few mostly
substandard candidates with no leadership qualities or innovative
ideas for these posts. The result is our administrative and managerial
systems have collapsed and these substandard officers with no will and
power to stand up to any coercion or intimidation, have been reduced
to the level of personal valets to the corrupt political leaders in
power. The rot has to stemmed.
Congrats to Mr Rafat.
Hopefully the Indian Govt will learn something from his work.
In the US, the administrative officer is hired just like corporate management, based on his/her past proven capability and education and they are removed for non-performance, just like the hire and fire policy of corporate America and corruption will result in 18 year imprisonments almost automatically. Hopefully some of these ideas can be incorporated in Indian Civil Services also
Rafath it seems is more concerned with "career advancement of civil servants". And offers inane advices like "bureaucrats ought to be cautious..." Cautious in doing what - favouring people, accepting bribes, appeasing polticians to get plum postings? I would have thought a senior officer would say bureaucrats ought to be upright and should not care about trappings of posts.
The book should make an interesting reading. Those who read Philip Mason's book
entitled "The Men who ruled India" might like to read this book, especially the
comparison with civil service in other countries abroad. Whatever might be our
perception for the British rulers, the public service rendered by some of the
Englishmen is admirable. In those days when the facilities were so poor, those
Britishers who came down from Britain and working in a remote country under
difficult circumstances and inhospitable terrains deserved sympathy and respect.
All the more so, the district collectors/district magistrates who were the key in the
administrative set-up. The readers will look forward in the book referred to here
for a detached view of the "service".
Civil Servants are for civil servants and their political masters to serve their own ends. Rules for functioning of civil services are framed by IAS and for their political bosses by MPs/MLAs in the Parliament/State Legislatures. For 65 years, both these groups have been looting the country with impunity. The rules framed by them for their class do not provide for timely exemplary punishment for any of their misdemeanors. The time is ripe to create a high level autonomous body comprising supreme court judges and human resource experts(other than IAS,etc) to review appointment, conditions of service and remuneration rules of both the categories. These people should be made liable to make good any loss to Government, compensate for the delay or agony caused to general public due to their wilfull action/non-action. Any of these groups found indulging in anti-national activities like espionage should be laid to rest the next day without any mercy petitions.
Its high time to bring police & admins. Serv. under Judiciary system. The politicians infact consider the amount spent in the election campaign as Investment and certainly they are not saints that they don't recover that investment in multiples. Lets put an end to playing Gods by both politicians as well bureaucrats & police but disciple to principles where everyone’s right is respected without any bearing on social status.
The problem with the bureaucracy started with the emergency with the commencement of 'affiliated bureaucracy' started by Ms Indira Gandhi. The intent was to post officers with whom the politicians were comfortable so that a cohesive team within the ministry was created that would enable faster and smoother implementation of reforms. However 'affiliated bureaucracy' brought the issue of 'posting' IAS officers under the powers of the politicians; something which allowed politicians to transfer IAS & IPS at will. Eventually this led to defeating the very intent for which 'affiliated bureaucracy' was intended. In fact it led to the opposite. Corrupt politicians preferred to post more malleable officers into their ministries & this subverted the entire system of administration. The concept of 'Affiliated Bureaucracy' can be credited as the singular reason that can be attributed with the total decline of our Administration.
It has been a long due for the the current laws to be reviewed but knowingly or whatever so reasons may be they are pending, especially the Police reforms laws are still a major thing. Even after supreme court's reprimanding nothing is being done. The writer has rightly said that those bureaucrats who are working as per their political bosses are the worst culprits. For them only all laws are dented or are changed in accordance to the situation.
The Prime minister should intervene immediately and should work for the reforms on top priority basis.
Thanks for THE HINDU to bring this issue to the public. and I thank the Author - IAS Officer - Mr. Rafath.
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