While well meant, this is a very naive, theoretical view of the world. Does the author really believe that a simplistic solution like "Make the Babus incorruptible" will solve corruption? Firstly, the solution is impractical - you cannot single out a class of persons to make incorruptible. Second, even if you can single them out, how do you make them honest? And third, and most of all: honest bureaucrats cannot do much by themselves. I know a honest IAS officer who was transferred 6 times in 7 years, causing immense hardship to his family.
Corrpution is a serious issue and cannot be solved by theoretical solutions such as this article proposes
When an honest RAILWAY ADRM asked MPs to show tickets they only produced their identity cards which is not a valid travel document. Yet the ADRM is suspended leaving not only the babudom but staff and public in disbelief. Babus dont need money for elections. Corruption in India is spiralling because of political needs and protection . WHO IS A BIGGER CURSE WELL QUALIFIED BABUS OR ILL QUALIFIED GREEDY POLITICIANS
What happens when this 'unprincipled babu' moves on to become a minister, thanks to the services rendered to his political masters during his days of babudom.
The whole Babu system need to be galvanized .They should be divested with the responsibility of accountability.
Take the example of a Collector . Define his role and make him accountable for the revenue collected in his district . Currently he only enjoys all the powers with no responsibility and ccountability .The worst is that they project themselves as the master of all trades . But they make the mockery of their job , little knowledge being dangerous .
If the political system is serious to tame them , a lot can be done.
Kanchan Gupta' analysis is clear as crystal. It is only an efficient and honest bureaucracy that can save our country from being ruined by the likes of Saptrishis.
While we cannot expect any positive efforts in improving the lot of bureaucracy from the government except talking of superficial exercises, much can be done by the media in exposing the corrupt bureaucrats. This will be their great service to the nation.
Similarly public spirited individuals and non-government organisations specialising in public adminsitration can keep a tab on these erring civil servants.
In the closing note of the article, it was mentioned that the 'steel frame' still has some honest IAS officers working diligently. It would be great if the author could write more about these poisitive stories rather than just the negative ones.
Probity in Public Life. Oh! What is that? As Kanchan Gupta has brilliantly brought out, anyone asking such a question sounds like an idiot. In Kannada there is a saying, Whatever you retrieve in a burning house, is your Profit. The country is burning because of the corrupt system. Instead of dousing the flames by trying to correct the system, everyone seems to be in a hurry to loot whatever he/she can in this unfortunate country that too in the shortest period. As if they are going to carry the entire loot along with them when they are cremated/buried one day! Should they not set a limit to the loot also! No sir, the word limit does not exist in their vocabulary. So are the words shame, decency, honesty, integrity and many more.
People like Saptharishi are a slur on the nation. So are millions of babus/politicians and the sundry. But, who cares? As Kanchan Gupta rightly concludes, they have corrupted their integrity, such as they had to begin with.
I fully back the point that our IAS comunity is very very irresponsible and unaccountable. Shame on all of them. I recently sent an e- mail to Commissioner of Ferozepur, Punjab with some suggestions and enquiries. But never got any response from him or his depptt.There has lot of money invested in the name of IT(National information center- NIC)But this is not going to solve the purpose until our so called most thoughtful and intelectual class take the responsibility and feel accountable.
It is very rightly mentioned about Civil services cadre. The cadre should be shown how the poor people in different parts of India are suffering for their minimum needs like food and shelter. By seeing their suffrings atleast bring some change in them. Now these civil servents became guard and co-assistents to the politicians in their misdeeds. some civil servents of IAS and IPS and directly involving in land grabing and encouraging thire pets to occupy Government lands. There should be an autonomous commission to take action aginst guilty civil servents. I apprciate the author of The unprincipled babu script for his concern.
