Opinion || Civil Services Day – Frankly Speaking

Civil Services Day is being celebrated on 21st April every year since 2006, to commemorate the contribution of Civil Services to the society. This year it is 15th such day.

2) Ever since the Britishers left India,such days were a regular feature by the Defence, Police and many such services in a befitting manner. But the Civil Servants who are the “Steel Frame ” of the country according to late Sardar Patel, never thought of celebrating one for themselves till the former P.M.Sri Manmohan Singh was approached for the purpose. Compared to any uniformed service,it is a sombre and simple affair.

3) Awards for extraordinary innovative work by the District Administrators have become the annual feature nowadays. It is an opportunity ,we in service in our hey days or formative years were never given.On the contrary,our Police Service colleagues are regularly conferred Presidents Medal for Distinguished service every year at the fag end of one’s service career ,merely by virtue of seniority apart from one for gallantry or bravery.

4) It is never too late,one should say. But why to restrict Civil Service Awards to the level of District Administrators? Why can’t we confer it to a SDO level officer in the second year of service with a view to encourage him to build more confidence for future and also to Senior Secretary level officer as a matter of recognition for his /her outstanding service so as to inspire others to replicate or go beyond a Success Story?.

5) One expects thought provoking if not substantial pat or guidance from the Prime Minister of the country at such annual functions and that routine talk may not have much relevance. Not finding a mention about need to have a New Population Policy, Reduction in Corruption and extraordinary punishment to non performing human assets, belied expectations even this year.Nor was there any talk of hijacking of Executive functions by the Judiciary or a review of Disinvestment of the profit making”Ratnas ” of Public sector, or downsizing the strength of bureaucracy or adoption of ways and means to save useless expenditure. A thought needs to be also given to utilise the Retired members of service,who have had a good reputation.

6) Among the five Priority areas in which 16 awards are to be conferred during the next year,only promoting Excellance in Sports and Wellness makes sense.Rest are routine,usual or repetitive,which generally get neglected when one is at the helm of affairs.

7) As regards delivery of services,it should not be our endeavour only to provide encouragement by a system of awards but also by a system of punishment or dismissal,if need be,from service.It has to be built in the event of poor or under performance.That way one can identify ” Black Sheep” easily and swiftly.

8) New energy, new enthusiasm,new order were all stressed at the end of “Straight From Heart” speech of a performing P.M. and he rightly deserved the standing ovation from the talented and trained audience. But how and in what manner programmes and schemes will be tailored and executed ,that remains to be seen.

9 ) One should not be saying but it is a cardinal truth that merely 5% of the Civil Servants happen to be honest and upright. Rest toe along the dotted line. Some of them continue to be H.M.V.’s even after superannuation. Do we have courage & conviction ?.
No. No.No.

 

About the Author : Dr. Aaloc Srivastav, Ex CS , Sikkim is a Senior Retd Bureaucrat and passionate about writing on his favourite subjects . The views shared by the author are his personal.