“Whom to blame for the mess?”

Apropos WIC dated April 25, 2024. The Congress bashing (Recall the Cong-led UPA’s arrogance of power) justified due to its dynastic and autocratic proclivities combined with dismal track record. But, the criticism cannot be allowed to rest here. It will be termed partisan. Things have not changed an iota! Selectively slamming the congress party cannot absolve the ruling dispensation from its constitutional obligations. The common perception is that the present dispensation has grown terribly megalomaniac and intolerant to freedom of press. And, worst of all- it is being chased by various controversies arising out of serial scams. Worse still, the factors like rising inflation, unemployment, rampant corruption, poor services delivery mechanism, lack of accountability and transparency, are noteworthy features. These may tilt the electoral results, one way or the other. Public is fully aware. Political coalitions are mere opportunistic alliances, marriage of convenience. ‘Public service’ is the profession of the politicians. Then , why condemn them, alone? The bureaucracy cannot escape its responsibilities and obligations under the law of the land. It has to share the lion’s share of the blame for the present state of affairs.

Sadly, true to their genre, the bureaucracy has been consistently failing by remaining pliant to the political class. It is gutless, even gum less to stand its ground and question the decisions of the temporary Executive. On the contrary, it is found ever ready to implement the orders of the political masters (legal or illegal).As consultants, the bureaucrats also advise the politicians on decision-making. Selecting bureaucrats to sensitive assignments is arbitrary, discretionary, based on pick and choose. Loyalty is rewarded. This has been the usual practice all along in the past under different political dispensations, both at the centre and the states.

A K Saxena (A former civil servant)