Reader Rants 'n' Raves

The example of Chinese administrative services is very commendable to us since China too has 1 billion plus population like India. China does not follow British or American concepts of the chief administrative services. The Chinese are exremely zealous to preserve even in modern governance, all the core values of public service which were formulated through a long historical tradition. Knowledge of English or flaunting of Western thoughts and styles of course, is not sought in the aspiring candidates, in fact those who may show such characteristics will be frowned upon for consideration for selection. Competition is not the criterion, since it is subject to corruption by selectors. Candidates from families with proven dedication to public service in different forms are chosen and tried for a few years by being put through a diverse set of challenging environments and circumstances, on a LOW PAY, and those who stand up to this test will be absorbed in top cadres. Thosewho don't succeed in that process shall be put in lower posts not demanding much original thinking such as for strategic planning, for ex. The British system after which our IAS, IPS, Central services are modelled, is inappropriate since it was specifically for administration of India as a subject nation under the supercilious and megalomaniacal British crown.Due to this blunderous anomaly arising from our slavish thinking,we have a system that is totally unsuited to our temperament and culture,and instead of service to people, we have universal bribery, and there is an 'efficient anarchy' due to nonadministration.

Indian Foreign Service offers a better environment (with better remuneration), which is, by and large, a cadre offering more challenge due to moderately frequent opportunity to work in a diverse set of conditions, climates and government forms. There is a general craze for getting into IFS through competition, which is comparatively less easy, due to interplay a variety of subjective factors and some amount of objective assessment. Lot of pressure, push and wirepulling is said to be put into use for getting preferred overseas assignments some of which IASs. can also try for, given the necessary fighting power .

Sup.a cop gets Rs. X as salary (Sambalam in Tamil), at vantage posting, he is sure to clear another Rs.10 X as'Kimbalam'(bribes). ARCs.have ignored this antipeople evil,it appears.

(EDITED)There is a craze for 'gettig into' the IPS cadre, much more than for the IAS. The sandards of integrity and efficiency of IPS has declined to unbelievably low levels.Politicking (including giving of bribes to higher ups) for posting at 'vantage' points (or not being transferred from the same) which offer scope for making mountains of money as bribes is universal throughout India. Of course the bribe loot is shared across the police hierarchy right up to IPS top brass, according to certain "norms". With a substandard quality of police how can law and order, crime detection and prosecution be done since money for the police lies in suppressing truth and violation of law.

Indian administrative, and police services are believed to have become too unattractive for superior talents. This is due to (a) much better work environment in private sector, esply. IT sector,though with less glamour, but much higher pay and overseas assignment chances; (b)perhaps more than (a),the cadres being treated by ministers/MLAs. with far less dignity and respect than they deserved and got earlier, and required to please their whims and fancies and desires. Too much of maneuvering and politicking among the 'public servants' for keeping their posting at preferred places and other favours have made these services rather repulsive to those who look for dignified treatment and self fulfilment. Public feel these services can be clubbed together and pay differences abolished, and only seniority should be the criterion for promotions, since the work environment has been politicised and thus cannot reveal truly superior merit.

IAS officers are right is slightightin and pushing down IPS because the IPS has perenail high income..hafta mahina and yearly booty...criminals...terroirist..smugglars all are product of Police and IAS... I Cna justify in supreme Court how Police forces are hand in gloves with the terrorist in NE and in J&K..all know it.. What pains me is the joint consiracy and one up manship of IAS and speceailly the IPS vis a vis Army..An IAS and IPS will have to take another good birth to be in the Army... Jai Hind...

We talk of corruption . To my perception every recruit who joins police /defense force /govt service ,pays a joining fee . This fee is shared at various levels. How can you then expect that person not to recover his investment . A chance to recover his investment is maximum for a police constable as compared to a Jawan .Once he stars ,there is no end. I feel a serious step shouldbe taken to remove graft . Also police functionaries at lower end need to be looked after better . To my mind the sense of camaraderie needs to be increased between the police and the officers. (in case you feel my perceptions are wrong ,please accept my apologies.)

Both IAS and IPS people allow themselves to serve as handmaiden to politicians of the Centre and states all over India, as that way they can get choice postings,avoid transfers,even indulge in corruption.Many of them gleefully forget that they are to serve public with independence.The average Indian will ignore reported news and analysis as irrelevant.