Examine the government’s initiatives to encourage civil servants to participate in local, state, and federal decision-making processes and evaluate how they have improved public administration’s responsiveness and efficiency.
Model Answer The concept of the "steel frame" of governance in India, envisioned by the framers of the Constitution, underscores the need for an impartial, efficient, and non-partisan bureaucracy. However, the politicization of civil services erodes this foundation and disrupts the essential role ofRead more
Model Answer
The concept of the “steel frame” of governance in India, envisioned by the framers of the Constitution, underscores the need for an impartial, efficient, and non-partisan bureaucracy. However, the politicization of civil services erodes this foundation and disrupts the essential role of the civil services in ensuring stable and transparent governance.
Loss of Neutrality and Integrity: Politicization often compels civil servants to make decisions that align with political goals rather than the public interest. For instance, in the 2G spectrum case, bureaucrats from the Telecom Ministry compromised their neutrality, leading to significant governance failures. This undermines the very essence of civil services, which is to serve the nation impartially.
Widespread Corruption: Political interference increases the likelihood of corrupt practices within the bureaucracy. According to the Global Corruption Barometer-Asia (2020), India has one of the highest bribery rates in Asia, with 39% of respondents indicating that bribery is widespread, and 46% citing the prevalence of personal connections for bureaucratic deals. Such corruption erodes trust in the administration and hampers development.
Impact on Morale and Policy Continuity: Political interference in transfers and appointments demoralizes civil servants. The frequent transfer of IAS officer Ashok Khemka, who has been moved 56 times in a 30-year career, exemplifies how political pressures disrupt bureaucratic stability. Additionally, mass bureaucratic reshuffles after new government formations lead to discontinuity in policy implementation, further impeding long-term governance objectives.
Steps to Mitigate the Impact of Politicization
Transparent Appointments: Ensuring that civil service appointments and promotions are based on merit, with transparent criteria, can help mitigate political influence. The Prakash Singh judgment (2006) recommended setting up independent bodies like State Security Commissions to oversee appointments in the police, and similar mechanisms can be applied to other services.
Post-Retirement Neutral Period: To prevent the revolving door between politics and bureaucracy, the Hota Committee recommended a two-year cooling-off period before civil servants take up post-retirement political positions, such as becoming Governors.
Strengthening Accountability and Training: The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) emphasized the importance of defining public service values by law, holding bureaucrats accountable for ethical lapses. Moreover, regular training can reinforce neutrality and ethical conduct among civil servants, enabling them to withstand political pressures effectively.
In conclusion, reinforcing a non-partisan, neutral, and efficient bureaucracy through reforms in appointments, accountability, and training can help restore the integrity of the “steel frame” of governance in India.
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Efforts to Promote Civil Servant Participation in Decision-Making Processes Introduction The participation of civil servants in decision-making processes at various levels of government is critical for effective public administration and responsive governance. The Indian government has implemented sRead more
Efforts to Promote Civil Servant Participation in Decision-Making Processes
Introduction
The participation of civil servants in decision-making processes at various levels of government is critical for effective public administration and responsive governance. The Indian government has implemented several measures to enhance the involvement of civil servants in decision-making at local, state, and national levels. This analysis explores these efforts and evaluates their impact on improving the responsiveness and effectiveness of public administration.
Efforts to Promote Civil Servant Participation
Challenges and Areas for Improvement
Conclusion
The efforts to promote the participation of civil servants in decision-making processes at local, state, and national levels have significantly improved the responsiveness and effectiveness of public administration. Through decentralization, involvement in policy formulation, participation in task forces, capacity building, and managing PPPs, civil servants have contributed to more informed and effective governance. However, challenges such as bureaucratic rigidity, insufficient representation, lack of coordination, and political interference need to be addressed to enhance the impact of these efforts further. Strengthening these areas will ensure that civil servants can fully leverage their expertise to drive positive outcomes in public administration.
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