In a democracy, the bureaucracy must be allowed to function independent of the political establishment. Only an independent bureaucracy can render the rule of law. The performance, character and role of the bureaucracy depends on the social and political scenario around it. Officers remain as honest, upright and efficient, as the society around them or as their political masters want them to be.
The rule of law requires government officials to comply with the law at all times. Every executive action must have legal authorization and no decision can contravene or violate a legal restriction. Political interference, in the day-to-day administration is not permissible neither acceptable. A perusal of the file notings of some senior officers reflects that they have just surrendered to the political establishment. Some of the officers knowing that it is an exercise in futility simply pass files up the ladder without any comments. Officers need to be encouraged to give their free and frank opinion. They should be at liberty to work out details and implement their decisions. The political and administrative wings of the Government together should pursue the path of progress by accommodating diverse viewpoints and interests without bias. We have witnessed many officers including Chief Secretaries and DGPs who have been sent packing overnight for not bowing down to politicians in power. One can understand the suffering and agony that such officers go through due to these abrupt transfers. The trauma these officers endure should however not be in vain. It should only strengthen and solidify the resolve of their peers and strengthen the system towards sanity. The IAS was never meant to be ( I Agree Sir ) and the IPS ( I Please Sir ), but the reality is a sordid tale. If the pinnacle of the bureaucracy caves in, the entire force crumbles and this needs to be rectified. Let us hope every bureaucrat from the top to the bottom will vow to assert his position and always do what is right. This resolve and courage will have to emanate and flow from the top across every layer of the administration. May this be the humble plea to the conscience of every IAS and IPS officer. Aires Rodrigues T1 - B30, Ribandar Retreat Ribandar - Goa - 403006 Mobile: 9822684372
