• There is a not-so-unfounded perception within the Indian population about the way the IAS and IPS officers discharge their entrusted responsibilities. The widely prevalent perception is that the elite officers usually cozy up to their political masters rather than stay neutral while going about performing public services. Indeed, it is a matter of grave concern that the nexus between the political masters and bureaucracy has fallen to such low standards of late. There are hardly any days that go without reportage of bureaucratic high-handedness duly backed by political patronage. No wonder, Indian people are not only cynical when it comes to hoping for an ideal day-to-day administration but also are immune from feeling surprised about mishappenings.
PC: Freepik
• As if this is not enough, responsible and senior officers getting into social media brawls is not only ugly but also tantamount to breaching the code of conduct expected from civil servants. Of course, we are quite used to aggressive exchanges that are so ubiquitous in social media by now and only a special one really shocks us. And this is exactly what IPS officer D Roopa and IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri have served up recently. So nasty, personal, and public has been the clash between the two senior women bureaucrats in Karnataka that it has even embarrassed the state government. In a high-pitched election season, as is its wont, opponents have tried to cast this unruly slugfest as a reflection of a weak government.
• Acting with alacrity, both officers were transferred by the state government. The moot point to ponder over here is how damaging such a clash will place the focus on a larger disturbing change that civil service ethos is undergoing through participation in social media. Unprecedented for sure. Note that last year a parliamentary standing committee said there are 22% fewer IAS officers in the country than the sanctioned strength, and the sanctioned strength is not enough, to begin with, given the evolving needs of the Indian administration. The thing is the private sector still isn’t attractive enough and big enough for government services to lose their charm, i.e., prestige, power, and job security. Ferocious competition for limited seats tells us that.
PC: Freepik
• The need of the hour for the government is to recruit more since finding more applicants is not the issue. Worryingly, besides quantity, quality has also emerged as a major issue. Experts opine that the lack of reform in incentives and penalties has helped ineptitude, indifference, and corruption to creep in. Add to that the lack of functional independence suffered by the permanent executive from the political executive only further muddies the situation. Yes, the self-aggrandisement stimulated by social media addictions is a fresh big blow to the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 that are meant to govern both IAS and IPS officers. Mind you, the reputational damage from ugly social media boil-ups will serve none. All concerned should note.
