Is the much-coveted UPSC/IAS losing its sheen in the face of relentless political influence? IAS officer Dr Raja Sekhar Vundru joined IBNLive readers for an interaction on the issue.
Q. Don't you feel the media has a social obligation of following up in exposing the scams. What we see is that every channel keeps shouting on top of their voice that they would follow the story till its logical conclusion? however, what we have seen in scams like Satyam, Koda case, CWG, Coal Gate and many such cases which are forgotten after the TRP for the news is reduced and the media now charges onto other news. Don't you feel that the Durga case would follow the same route and the matter would rest in the achieves? Asked by: Annymous
A. The Freedom that Media enjoys has both positive and negative effects. The Media has become pro-active in exposing scams, but at the same time gets even over-enthusiastic on, sometimes very minor issues.The case of Durga is a very welcome attention from the media and it has brought into the fore front and made the nation know how well and how honest the young IAS officers work in the field.For whatever reasons Durga's attention caught the media attention ( say NCR/NOIDA) it will bring the young IAS work to attention.Whichever way Durga's case goes, it will bring positive attention to the IAS and the civil services.
Q. Do you think this issue will lead to a logical conclusion of establishing a neutral Civil Services Commission or will it whimper to just Durga getting reinstated and shunted repeatedly thereafter for being in the 'limelight' so early in her career? Asked by: Kailash
A. I don't think there is such a need for Commission to oversee such aspects. IAS career is normally 30 years plus. Several IAS officers have been put to such experience early in their careers and have done very well in serving the nation. What this brings out is that IAS being more enthused by such actions of an young SDM.
Q. What horrid state of affairs. a young bright lady doing what she had to do victimised by the political masters. Dot you think that we need a complete dry cleaning of the system to solve this menace? Asked by: Annymous
A. This incident will certainly bring in changes that will protect officers. The officer has been put under discipline and appeal rules of the All India Services, the matter will be resolved as soon as possible. But certainly this incident has certainly exposed the whims of political executive and the nation will find solutions to by proper amendments to the rules.
Q. Is media harming or helping Durga's cause? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. I don't think so. Media has for once brought before the nation about the good work young IAS officers do in the field.The case will follow Discipline and Appeal Rules of the All India services and hopefully resolved soon.
Q. An appreciation on Durga's stance. She has not talked to the media and save herself from one more charge, for going to public on her service matters. Was this an advice from the more seasoned seniors? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. Yes, she is doing the right thing and is in a way following the Conduct Rules of the all India Services. There is no need to talk to media and it should not be a media trial but will be dealt under the Rules of the IAS.
Q. If you can't beat them,join them - this option will become more if political bosses want the Civil services officers to toe them or get lost. Is this group on the increase now? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. It is not that worst in our country. Depending on States and varying with the political disposition, normally IAS is a highly respected service for its continuing contribution for the development of the nation.The calibre, resilience and the hard work IAS puts in is all well known to the political bosses.Political bosses also know when they want IAS to toe their line, that IAS won't.
Q. What measure should the bureaucracy take to do away with toeing the line of the politician in such cases? Was the suspension of SDM right? My belief is if she was to be suspended, why was no action taken against her boss or bureaucrats above her, since they have to have knowledge of her actions? Asked by: EM
A. Suspension of the young SDM was wrong.Young IAS in field are encouraged to do good work and they do. The immediate boss the District Magistrate nurtures the young SDMs. We have to do with the democratic polity. But the polity cannot be arbitrary in their action against IAS officers. The mistake has to be grave to invite action.You can't do away with hierarchy..so one has to be stubborn.
Q. What advice you will give to aspirants of IAS regrading current incidents as they look for dream career? Asked by: ramkrishna rohile
A. This is an one-off incident that too in UP state, which has the history of suspension at the drop of a hat.This incident will further increase the resolve of young Indians to join the IAS and civil services where the country's interest are before anything and to serve the country better.
Q. Has the current and future generations lost on the theme of honesty and fairness? Nowadays, everyone is so busy with their life and job that we forget about the big picture. How can we instill honesty, courage and fairness to our children (rather than going after the rat race)? Asked by: EM
A. Honesty is doing the right thing. Durga did the right thing, whatever she did. I thing times change with the changing cultures, lifestyles, people tend to become self centered. Our Indian culture is a culture of giving. Fairness and honesty have to be inculcated, that will give our children the courage.
Q. I am afraid such an incident will mar the possibility of future prospects that we could have seen from an activist bureaucrat like Durga Nagpal? Asked by: Aditya
A. Please don't make Durga an activist - bureaucrat...she is just a young SDM doing her first posting and doing the right thing. The system are well placed to protect such young people and Durga will have a glorious career ahead.
Q. Why is the bureaucracy not united in UP? Is all the bureaucrats had said in one voice, would the lady be suspended? Asked by: EM
A. IAS is not known for a long time to have Associations and raising voice like Unions. Now as it seems things are changing. The voice is becoming united, that is why we see so much of support for Durga.
Q. Do you think there has to be some checks made to do away with the arbitrariness in transfer, postings, suspensions - if so, what are your suggestions? Asked by: Karthik
A. Normally transfers are well regulated with reasonable tenures. UP state has acquired the distinction of too frequent transfers. We have Rules for tenures in case of DM/SP and others. We need general rules to protect tenures and will come soon after this incident.
Q. The SP leader has said that all IAS officers can go back to centre. Does this include UP stream Conferred officers? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. Yes sir !
Q. Should the responsibility to manage transfers and discipline bureaucracy be given to UPSC. Its high time to think about it? Asked by: Aditya
A. No, I think it should be with the State.
Q. Today's inseparable component of crime in Politics has made many youngsters keep away from Civil services. IIT, IIM, CA - these are the area where the cream is moving to. Those who enter also get disillusioned fast and move out to private sector. Do you expect in the near future, the first choice of youngsters to be an IAS? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. IAS and civil services are public services, we have enough enthusiasts to serve the nation.It is positive even today.
Q. Don't you feel that the allied services are going the route of the defence services wherein with the present state of affairs no bright young talent would like to join these agencies? There was a time some years ago wherein the Allied services and the defence forces attracted bright young talent and later the defence services due to being neglected was not a choice for these youngsters. The way things are going I am sure that the allied services would follow the same route? Asked by: AKS
A. We are getting bright talent... they are not as visible as Durga or IAS!
Q. Why can't be have an enquiry(CBI) and let the truth be exposed? This is beneficial for both SP and IAS after all SP have a different view of this situation to that of what is shown in Media. Why cant be political leaders be punished for making wrong decisions? Asked by: Gaurav
A. There is no need for CBI. What state has done is not a crime!! It is an administrative decision and will follow a procedure!!!
Q. The case has brought out two Divergent observations on the incident of demolition? In an action against an IAS the Chief Secretary has a role. Was the CS of UP satisfied in setting motion the suspension of Durga? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. Here the head of the government is CM and not CS. He may resist but, has to comply with the CM orders.
Q. Have IAS officers become political puppets like the CBI? Asked by: Abhisekh
A. Never sir !
Q. why a case of a state govt related issue blown out of proportion? Is it because of 2014 elections things related to the state affairs are being meddled by the central govt sir? Will this be another lone case? Asked by: suresh
A. No comment Sir !
Q. I think this so called secularism has become the first and the last resort of scoundrels like politicians. If you don't like any officer, blame him or her of being communal and all is well. What do you think? Asked by: internet hindu
A. Durga was not communal but doing the right thing. Nobody can blame her for this.
Q. Sir, It's a coveted service without any stretch of imagination. No other service provides one with the opportunity of such length and breadth of a job. It's a dream of every Indian to be into the service, Many still hold the IAS with that kind of a pride and awe even today and I am one of them. However, the reality seems to be much different and for the ills that plagues it today, I think apart from the political class, your own fraternity is to be blamed. Thanks to the media and only media, the Khemka, Durga, Kharirnar, Arun Bhatia have become house hold names. I am sure the list is long. But, this list is not able to compete with the tainted ones. In this case why is the fraternity not able to come out in open and stand behind her. Look at the Judiciary, you show one finger at one judge, entire judiciary is up in arm against you. Civil service is not loosing sheen, civil servants, and that too some of them are doing every bit to make it look like it is loosing sheen. Asked by: S ESHWAR
A. There are hundreds of Durga's in IAS and they do their work that is why we have pro-people policies and we are surging ahead as a nation. IAS is still the steel-frame of the nation.
Q. Suspension is no punishment,withdrawal of suspension is no withdrawal of a Charge. Why so much of noise for withdrawal of suspension? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. Here the suspension was unwarranted.
Q. Now that Charges are framed, the officer's reply will take the matter further, if required with an Inquiry. These may take their own time.with likely new charges being worked out the matter is going to get further complicated and delayed. Will there be an appeal at CAT? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. Anybody ban appeal in CAT. But the process has to be initiated for charge-sheet etc under rules.
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