It is really intriguing to know that despite the falling standards of governance in India, more and more young men and women aspire to become civil servants by joining IAS and other civil services.In 2014,9.45 lacs candidates applied for the examination,6.80 lacs downloaded their admit cards for appearing in the test,4.51 lac candidates took the preliminary examination in 2137 centres in 59 cities of India.(This was 1.27 lacs more than 2013 when 3.24 had appeared in the civil services preliminary examination)(Indian Express, New Delhi , August 24,2014).Only 0.15% got finally selected.This makes India's Civil services Examination as the most competitive in the world.
After serving my full term in the IAS , I have the opportunity to work outside the civil service.It has struck me more than once that the civil servants need to be given incentive to move out and work for different sectors, outside the civil service , on a short term basis.Why?
Civil servants at policy making levels do not have exposure to the ground realities of all the sectors of governance.For example, if a law or a rule is proposed to be drafted for education, it is helpful if the education secretary and education director have a first hand experience of running a big educational institution in private sector for at least two to three years.Such a lateral exposure is likely to give them an insight into the real life difficulties which an entrepreneur running a private enterprise may face.Similar is the situation for a secretary or director in the industrial development department .Different regulatory departments of the government frame rules or issue government orders , which are difficult to implement , and discourage entrepreneurs from making investments.Such a lateral tenure in the private sector can train or prepare such civil servants for a better understanding of the ground realities and develop a positive attitude before formulating or proposing a policy related to a particular sector.This can even renew their spirit and make them aware of the inherent efficiencies of the private sector.
This is however not a panacea for all the ills of governance .The whole idea of lateral exit into the private sector has the risk of shifting loyalties of civil servants to the employer in the private sector , who may use the civil servants to create policies suiting him, once the civil servants complete the period of lateral exit and return to the government .
The security offered to civil servants by the constitution of India,along withe fact that promotions and postings are not linked to competence and merit, except in a very limited way.This makes them complacent and unwilling to go out of their comfort zone.That is why it is important to encourage them to go out on lateral exit for a short tenure.If sufficient incentives are not given , this valuable idea will remain only on paper.
In 2007,guidelines were issued permitting civil servants to take up assignments for up to seven years with permitted organisations. The organisations included constitutional bodies, statutory bodies,international agencies such as the United Nations and the World bank,NGOs,societies and autonomous bodies not controlled by the government. Further, before 2007, an officer who went on deputation with an Indian body was not allowed to draw more than what the government paid him.But the 2007 guidelines say,"While serving in constitutional , statutory,multilateral,or bilateral organisations,or international financial organisations,the officer shall be eligible to draw pay and allowances as per the scheme of the borrowing organisation"But such a policy has only resulted in civil servants trying for posts only in international bodies like the UNO,the World Bank,etc.The civil servants do not get experience of the ground realities faced by the private sector, especially the difficulties being faced by the small or middle level entrepreneurs.There is a need to introduce some qualifying service in such enterprises for promotions at different levels.
In 2007,guidelines were issued permitting civil servants to take up assignments for up to seven years with permitted organisations. The organisations included constitutional bodies, statutory bodies,international agencies such as the United Nations and the World bank,NGOs,societies and autonomous bodies not controlled by the government. Further, before 2007, an officer who went on deputation with an Indian body was not allowed to draw more than what the government paid him.But the 2007 guidelines say,"While serving in constitutional , statutory,multilateral,or bilateral organisations,or international financial organisations,the officer shall be eligible to draw pay and allowances as per the scheme of the borrowing organisation"But such a policy has only resulted in civil servants trying for posts only in international bodies like the UNO,the World Bank,etc.The civil servants do not get experience of the ground realities faced by the private sector, especially the difficulties being faced by the small or middle level entrepreneurs.There is a need to introduce some qualifying service in such enterprises for promotions at different levels.
2 comments:
Brilliant idea VN. I hope the governments will pay attention to your suggestions and improve the quality and capabilities of bureaucracy and bureaucrats !
Thank you,Alka.I wait without hope.
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