The way things are moving, days of skirmishes between politicians and bureaucracy don't look far. Politicians especially of ruling party have started launching attack on bureaucracy. Even parliamentary affairs and justice department minister of Bhajan Lal cabinet Jogaram Patel has ridiculed the bureaucracy's decision of appointing an IAS officer on the post of Commissoner College education. Jogaram Patel, as member of the cabinet sub committee said that there is no such provision of appointing IAS officer on this post. The sub committee has recommended for appointing an educationist on this post from the college teachers cadre. The higher education department will prepare draft suggestion based on the recommendation of the committee.
“In technical departments, the post of commissioner is manned by officer of that service. There is no provision of appointing IAS on this post. We want college teachers to occupy this post. This will help in improvement of the standard of college education,” Jogaram Patel said.
Currently Pukhraj Sain is the commissioner of college education. Sain is 2013 batch IAS, promoted from state civil services.
Bureaucracy paramount in Bhajan Lal government
It's not the first time BJP leader or minister has taken on bureaucracy in recent past. BJP MLA from a Beawar Shankar Singh Rawat and firebrand BJP leader Devi Singh Bhati have also launched scathing attack on the functioning of bureaucracy.
Rawat said that bureaucracy is paramount in this government. The rule has changed but officers are continuing to occupy that post as if it has been “inherited”.
“Officers are not listening to public representatives. This is creating big problem for us. We have apprised chief minister about it and he must take quick action on this issue,” he said.
Rawat further said that the government seems to have been run by bureaucracy.
“It's giving wrong message,” he said.
MLAs line up in front of chief secretary office
Recently Devi Singh Bhati said that there is no control over bureaucracy in this government unlike in Congress rule when bureaucrats used to listen to the public representatives.
“We hear that MLAs line up outside the office of chief secretary. If this is the case then there is no point in becoming a public representative. IAS offices are still being trained on the lines of British rule. IITs should change,” he said.
He said that bureaucrats don't care about public representatives.
“IAS, IPS, RAS, RPS officers don't that there won't be any action against them. They will end up retiring from the service. So they hardly care about public representatives who change every five years. This system should change,” Devi Singh Bhati said.
Incidents indicative of frustration
”These incidents are indicative of frustration creeping in within the party and government. The administration is being completely controlled by chief secretary. No recommendation is being considered from minister or BJP leader in transfer or posting. With time, frustration will rise more if politicians and MLAs are not given their share of pie,” said a senior IAS officer.
When Bhajan Lal Sharma government was formed and his team of ministers occupied their officers, they could not appoint even PA of their choice.
“All their Special Assistants (RAS officers) were finalised by chief secretary on the basis of their service and background. This was something new in governance of Rajasthan. It seems this practice may curb corruption as there is little likelihood of SAs getting hand-in-glove with their respective ministers who are not familiar,” the officer added.
Prakash Bhandari is a veteran journalist with over 50 years of experience. He has worked with The Times of India for 30 years and contributed to leading publications as well as international news agency AFP.
