Don’t be ‘yes men’, officials told

‘Civil servants should be impartial and show no hesitation in taking decisions’

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday asked bureaucrats not to be afraid of the “political executive.” They should not sign government orders that were illegal, he said.

Bureaucrats should not become “yes men” and they should tell the political executive politely that the demands they make were not legally tenable. Mr. Singh said civil servants should be impartial and show “no hesitation” in taking decisions.

“If a political executive gives wrong orders, do not be afraid to show the rules. Tell the political executive he is legally wrong. Do not sign the orders.

Haan mein haan naa milaiye [Do not become yes men]. Do not betray your conscience,” he said at an event to mark the Civil Services Day here.

Cabinet Secretary P.K Mishra was present.