The former CBI Director, R.K. Raghavan, in his article, “ >Caged parrots and the steel frame ” (May 30) has rightly stated that “truth is difficult to explore”. As far as corruption is concerned, it is the politician-civil servant-corporate nexus that is the devil most of the time. This is a nexus that needs to be broken in the interests of the common man. Also, all dissenting officers cannot be construed as being people fighting the establishment on the basis of principles. It is quite possible that they represent vested interests.
Gnana Surabhi Mani,
Madurai
Former CBI Joint Director B.R. Lall in his book, Who Owns CBI , has already levelled serious allegations against the working of the CBI. Now, Pradip Baijal’s book will only add more weight to it. Revelations made by these retired civil servants deserve appreciation for exposing malpractices. “Industry, Impartiality, Integrity” may be the motto of the CBI, but much of this has been eroded already. It is time for the government to make the CBI autonomous and let it gain some of its lost credibility.
Nitin Sharma,
Chandigarh
If the political establishment views honest and upright civil servants to be an obstacle then why do politicians need them? Why would they have to ponder over the whims and fancies of someone with an intellectual bent of mind? And if they dissent with them, the consequences are to be seen! The article shows that probity, ethics and honesty are now something to be mocked at. Why has the UPSC introduced a new General Studies paper called “Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude” when it is not even valued?
Priyanka Sharma,
New Delhi
A public servant is only as good as the political leadership that not just provides policy directives but also motivates him/her towards higher standards of service delivery and commitment towards the public. If this latter element is ignored, the bureaucracy lies stagnant in the quagmire of procedural hassles and legal tangles, forgetting its core competency.
The instances cited by Mr. Baijal suggest that the system of checks and balances as envisaged in the prime ministerial form of government is ineffective in intra-government transactions. Such impropriety at the highest level of decision-making needs to be countered to ensure good governance. There is thus a dire need for platforms that provide for feedback from civil servants belonging to the all-India and Central services. They must look at specific grievances/general apathy on the part of the political executive, all without negatively impinging on their career with the government or provoking a witch-hunt. It is unfortunate that civil servants have to wait until they hang up their boots to come clean on the pressures they face.
Anjana Unnikrishnan,
Ambalamedu, Kerala
Unlike politicians, an honest government servant and his family survives on his monthly salary. If he is suspended or charge sheeted, his family would suffer. Worse still is the case of those officials who are on the verge of retirement. We have seen numerous cases where an official has been placed under suspension even on the last working day of his service. In that case, his entire savings in the form of gratuity and provident fund would remain locked indefinitely. Who would like to take such a risk? It is the duty of the electorate to identify corrupt politicians and reject them. But when people sell themselves to politicians for a few hundred rupees, how can we criticise an honest officer working under a corrupt politician?
T. Anand Raj,
Chennai
