Commentary/Rajiv Shukla
Restructuring the bureaucracy
Senior Indian Administrative Service officers from all states
will meet in New Delhi
in the first week of April to discuss structural changes in the
bureaucracy. Two issues will figure prominently
in this meeting -- reports of IAS and IPS officers being frequently transferred 'under political
pressure' in several states; and the rampant corruption among
them.
The personnel department, which convenes the meeting, has noted that in several districts
of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, district
magistrates and superintendents of police are often
transferred within just three to four months of assuming office. It is widely felt that political lobbies are using transfer
and posting as weapons to pressurise the
bureaucracy.
The Fifth Pay Commission has proposed
that the DMs and SPs be posted for a minimum period of two
years and should not be transferred unless there are specific
allegations against them. This would give a much-needed stability to the administrative setup and restore the confidence of
bureaucrats.
In accordance with the Commission's recommendations, the personnel department
has prepared new guidelines for state governments. It proposes to constitute civil service boards in all states. These boards will decide on the posting and transfer
of IAS and IPS officers.
However, politicians, especially state chief ministers, are expected to oppose the idea stiffly. For, though the proposed boards will be functioning
in consultation with chief ministers, it would be the boards which have the final say. It is clear
that the Prime Minister's Office will have to do some heavy pushing, if the scheme is to be implemented.
The alarming phenomenon of corruption
among civil servants and reports of their nexus with criminals
is another matter under discussion. The Uttar Pradesh IAS Association's
recent attempts to identify the most
corrupt officers in the state has not improved the bureaucracy's image much. The personnel department plans to conduct secret inquiries into the many corruption charges with which it is flooded every day. It is also preparing a fresh set of guidelines for the bureaucrats to follow.
Further, the department is likely to recommend the introduction of a modern information system to remedy the lack of transparency in the administrative process. The new school of thought
is that, barring issues related to national security,
all other facets of administration should be transparent. This would ensure fair play and help boost the image of bureaucracy.
Rajiv Shukla is a senior editor at The Sunday Observer
and host of the popular television chat show, Ru-Ba-Ru.
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