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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