In most democracies, the separation of powers among the legislature, executive and judiciary is well defined and respected. Occasional transgressions do take place however but then these are quickly resolved .
Within the executive , there are are two pressure groups - 1) the political bosses as ministers with joint responsibility to the legislature and 2) the bureaucracy with constitutional safeguards for the executive functions they discharge under the direction of the political bosses.
The bureaucracy's selection, appointment and service conditions including disciplinary action for misconduct are all well enshrined in a plethora of rules and regulations with a good amount of objectivity built with the involvement of UPSC and Administrative Tribunals.
Over the years however, there is a growing perception that the mutual relationship between the political bosses and the bureaucracy has got strained. Bureaucrats not in the good books of the minister are transferred even when there is the system that at and above the Joint Secretary's level the bureaucrat is " selected " by the minister to work under him from a panel of eligible officers. Other instruments like the PMO too have become power centres for postings and transfers.
Then there is the direct interaction between the minister and the bureaucracy where the latter are exhorted to implement plans and programs and make them a success. Is this a strategy to make the bureaucracy a scapegoat if the plans /programs fail to deliver the goods.
It may be remembered that there was in the past a demand for a committed judiciary.
Within the executive , there are are two pressure groups - 1) the political bosses as ministers with joint responsibility to the legislature and 2) the bureaucracy with constitutional safeguards for the executive functions they discharge under the direction of the political bosses.
The bureaucracy's selection, appointment and service conditions including disciplinary action for misconduct are all well enshrined in a plethora of rules and regulations with a good amount of objectivity built with the involvement of UPSC and Administrative Tribunals.
Over the years however, there is a growing perception that the mutual relationship between the political bosses and the bureaucracy has got strained. Bureaucrats not in the good books of the minister are transferred even when there is the system that at and above the Joint Secretary's level the bureaucrat is " selected " by the minister to work under him from a panel of eligible officers. Other instruments like the PMO too have become power centres for postings and transfers.
Then there is the direct interaction between the minister and the bureaucracy where the latter are exhorted to implement plans and programs and make them a success. Is this a strategy to make the bureaucracy a scapegoat if the plans /programs fail to deliver the goods.
It may be remembered that there was in the past a demand for a committed judiciary.
एक ऋतू आये एक ऋतू जाए
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एक ऋतू आये
Ek Ritu aaye /Ek ritu Jaye /Mousam Badale na badle nasiba (Luck)/Koun jatan karu koun upay/ Ek ritu aaye/
A season comes and goes. The environment out side changes but our achievement and living(luck) remains unchanged.