During a recent public function held at the State capital Kohima, a former Chief Secretary of Nagaland who is currently the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), made some interesting observation about his personal take on how public servants i.e. the bureaucrats and government employees ought to conduct themselves in public life. Given his invaluable experience as a government servant for many years and subsequently rising to the top of the State bureaucracy, what he had to say about probity and conduct in public life was indeed enlightening and like a breath of fresh air. As all of us know the bureaucracy is the ‘steel frame’ of any administration. Those who make up the bureaucracy they are expected to perform their duty with professional ethos keeping in mind the dos and don’ts. A bureaucrat should be able to distinguish one’s self from the political executive who is elected on a mandate and therefore the role and responsibility of the two is different in nature and purpose. It appears to be the case that some of our (Naga) officers do not seem to be mindful of how they are supposed to conduct themselves in public life. Firstly they are too closely identified to the political establishment and some of them even act as though they are part of the ruling party. Secondly some bureaucrats knowingly or unknowingly conduct themselves as though they are running for public office. They want be seen in the right crowd and always in the news seeking public adulation. Is this the way our government servants should behave?
Some may not agree with this column and may argue that whether it is the permanent or political executive, both are in the service for public welfare. While this may be true yet there must be a line drawn between what is proper and what is not. In fact every profession has its own code of ethics or rules of conduct and as professionals one should be mindful of this. The former Chief Secretary, mentioned earlier, was, if we may say so, very conscious of the responsibility to be shouldered by a career public servant. He expressed his opinion that a bureaucrat was not an elected leader and therefore he or she must not look for public adulation and rather should serve quietly from behind with professionalism and dedication. In the years ahead our State bureaucracy will continue to be the vital instrument for public service and therefore it is only fair to suggest that they must be guided by professional ethos and not by vested political interest.
People who enter the civil service (whether IAS or NCS) do so through merit i.e. based on their capability (competitive exams). And this gives the civil service its professional character. The challenge would be to keep the State bureaucracy above all other interest including political. The present concern is the over politicization of the State bureaucracy. The various civil service associations in the State need to be strengthened so that a self regulation mechanism is developed among the officers themselves to guard against rivalry or power struggle amongst the career-conscious bureaucrats. Those in the civil service in Nagaland must come and work together in nurturing a government system that is run in a professional manner and as much as possible remaining independent of the political executive but serving as loyal servants for public welfare and carrying a positive team spirit.
Some may not agree with this column and may argue that whether it is the permanent or political executive, both are in the service for public welfare. While this may be true yet there must be a line drawn between what is proper and what is not. In fact every profession has its own code of ethics or rules of conduct and as professionals one should be mindful of this. The former Chief Secretary, mentioned earlier, was, if we may say so, very conscious of the responsibility to be shouldered by a career public servant. He expressed his opinion that a bureaucrat was not an elected leader and therefore he or she must not look for public adulation and rather should serve quietly from behind with professionalism and dedication. In the years ahead our State bureaucracy will continue to be the vital instrument for public service and therefore it is only fair to suggest that they must be guided by professional ethos and not by vested political interest.
People who enter the civil service (whether IAS or NCS) do so through merit i.e. based on their capability (competitive exams). And this gives the civil service its professional character. The challenge would be to keep the State bureaucracy above all other interest including political. The present concern is the over politicization of the State bureaucracy. The various civil service associations in the State need to be strengthened so that a self regulation mechanism is developed among the officers themselves to guard against rivalry or power struggle amongst the career-conscious bureaucrats. Those in the civil service in Nagaland must come and work together in nurturing a government system that is run in a professional manner and as much as possible remaining independent of the political executive but serving as loyal servants for public welfare and carrying a positive team spirit.
