A question of accountability

What is the relationship between political and civil servants? Though the relation cannot be defined clearly, we can at the least see the difference arising in the type and extent of this relation. Once the gap between the administrators and politicians was large and was bridged only by the mutual trust and respect of one another's role, but the times have changed from 1980's onwards. Uprising of several regional parties, which had no long term goals, hence lesser respect for rules and regulations, gave a way to the current system where civil servants are ought to do what they are told do. The mere puppet image of civil servants with strings being pulled by political leaders, is quite clear with examples at hand, such as of the suspension of an officer in Uttar Pradesh and action against other in Haryana and several others.

The Supreme Court's recent judgement, on the basis of demand by several retired senior civil servants, to rule in greater order and transparency in transfers and postings is highly welcomed by the media and other bureaucratic members of the society and its institutions. However, it won't be an easy task to implement its instructions. The author discusses the various reasons why the task at hand is a difficult one-

First, there is a serious disjoint between the political hierarchy and the administrative sector. The recent scams such as the 2G case, Coal and mining scandals, and Commonwealth Games case are the correct mirror of the current status of this relationship. Secondly, the problem is of politicisation of the civil services. Close proximity of civil servants with the political parties can result into compromise in decision-making. And finally, the biggest question arises that who is accountable? As long as the wrong-doer doesn't gets punishment for it, the system won't change and neither will they fear the consequences of there choices. The strings have to be taken from the hands of political governance and civil services be left free, for the betterment of the society as well as the democracy.