There is still good news

It is not that every news we hear about the bureaucracy is bad news. We have lots of positive stories coming in about collectors fighting against the oil mafia and of people getting together to protest against the transfer of their district magistrate.

The comptroller and auditor general’s (CAGs) fearless approach to taking on the high and mighty and, in the process, revealing the true colours of the 2G scam is a case in point. Had he not taken the initiative, the case would have been buried, and out of the orbit of public knowledge.

There are so many officers busy reforming the system. Often, we do not hear about them. They are working selflessly, without the desire for reward or recognition. So to say that the bureaucracy is weak or has lost its grip on the system is wrong. But, of course, there are many in this service who hit the headlines for the wrong reasons.

Changing times

The bureaucracy has changed with the passage of time, but we require to understand that it is just a tool to run the system. It is something like the difference in runs scored if Sachin Tendulkar and I were to use the same cricket bat. Till 1947, the civil service had immense powers, and there was no political interference. It changed somewhat, post 1947, to suit our democratic set-up. After that, over the next three to four decades, it gradually went downhill.

We have a machinery where there are no checks and balances in the way politicians operate. And politicians are aware that without bureaucratic intervention, no file will move. So they adopt every tactic possible to make civil servants toe their line. There are some who do toe their line. But there are many still, who do not. They would much rather work as per the rules and procedures that have been laid down.

Of course, a certain degree of immorality and financial dishonesty has crept into the service. But this doesn’t mean that there is a dearth of officers who are morally upright and honest.

A balancing act

We need to appreciate the fine balancing act that a collector is required to do, just to make sure his routine work gets done. At any given time, he has to manage the member of parliament, three MLAs, and the local mafias who are affiliated to various political parties.

And as soon as he falls out of favour of the political party in power, he is out. Even the policies that are for the betterment of the common man are often scuttled due to the hurdles placed by various parties because of their vested interests.

I am nowhere absolving the bureaucracy of all the wrong which its officers are committing, but the whole fabric of the service has been weakened and broken very systematically. Do you think an honest bureaucrat is wanted in Lucknow, Chennai or Mumbai, or anywhere for that matter in the country?
 
He is often just required to make file notings that suit certain people. Initially, an environment is created where he is compelled to be cooperative, and then he is made a collaborator in the wrong-doing. The matter is sealed when he finally takes on the role of a conspirator.

Only those who are cooperative are given plum postings, while others who do not fall in line are given lacklustre assignments, or persecuted and humiliated.

Usually, officers who are willing to follow orders are spotted at an early stage, and are then groomed to reach higher positions like that of secretary to Government of India, or chief secretary of a state.

The chosen few

All said and done, can you think of a group which on its own initiative picks up the corrupt from amongst itself? In 1994, in Uttar Pradesh, the bureaucracy had voted from among its own tribe, the four most corrupt officers. It was an utter disgrace for the four. Ironically however, out of those four, two became chief secretaries, and the other two also did well for themselves later on.

Ministers and chief ministers prefer to choose those civil servants who are pliable, and play a supportive role in their scheme of things. They don’t want a person who can think objectively and give them the correct picture of the law and the rules. It is only those who they are comfortable working with that get all the best postings.

Usually, a district magistrate’s term is not more than three to four months. By the time he gets to understand what he needs to do within his area of administration, he gets transferred for, say, not having helped the local timber or land mafia. Unfortunately, this nexus is much stronger than the system which can provide redressal to the aggrieved officers who work as per rules and regulations.

Usually, the bureaucrat holds on to his values till such time that his wife tells him that the children need better education, or, that his mother is not getting good medical treatment, or anything else to that effect. To accommodate such demands, the officer starts bending rules, and begins doing the politician’s bidding. This is the reality on the ground.

Power to change things is in the Constitution. But, no effort has been made in the last 63 years of Independence, to correct the flaws. We require to keep proper checks on those who hold public office. We have vested unlimited powers in chief ministers and ministers, and they often tweak rules and compel officers to do their bidding.

Still the brightest

Despite all the criticism about the service, you will be surprised to know that the bureaucracy still gets the brightest. I keep going to Mussoorie, where each new batch of civil servants gets trained. I find them brighter than the candidates of our time, as they are much more informed and aware. Despite the option of choosing from lots of attractive and high paying jobs, bright people still prefer to join the IAS. But sadly, even though they are highly motivated, they find themselves helpless after some years into their service. This is because politicians manipulate the bureaucracy to suit their purpose.