Myths about Indian Civil Services

Hello friends, Iam sharing one more message of Mr. Rhaul Garg,s

D. Murali and Indra Nath

Chennai: Civil services all over the world are about administration. "The sublimity of administration consists in knowing the proper degree of power that should be exerted on different occasions," a French philosopher once said. With such power at hand and sheer influence that it can have, today Indian Civil Services should have been the top most sought after position. But is still attracting the kind of talent it used to?

To find an answer, Business Line engaged former Secretary to the Government of India, Dr G. Sundaram who also served under various capacities in the ministries of defence and environment. He was one of the first to suggest VAT (value-added tax) introduction in the country way back in 1986.

Like all brilliant students, civil services was then a natural progression for Mr Sundaram who after obtaining a Masters Degree in Economics from the University of Madras in 1958, and teaching Economics in the Madras Christian College, joined the services in 1962.

In an exclusive e-mail interaction, the former bureaucrat gives his views in a blow-by-blow account on myths surrounding this heralded profession and also explains why young talent is increasingly taking refuge in corporate houses.

The civil services are no longer attracting merit or talent because there are better avenues for the bright and the intelligent. Right?

The answer is 'yes' and 'no'! Broadly speaking, any society that has progressed industrially is bound to attract less and less people to the civil services. But it also depends upon the historical context and the social thinking in a society. In a by and large feudal society that is hierarchical with emphasis upon status and premium on permanency, the civil services still attract youngsters often goaded by the parents. Many parents still want to see their children as the all-powerful collector or in the police service.

Regarding the meritorious entering, the system itself ensures it through the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) although there is some dilution. Even during the British period, some sort of communal reservation was introduced with repeated demands, say for Muslims or Anglo-Indians. However, since the intake was small, it is difficult to conclude merit was 'totally' sacrificed. This logic applies even now; when I entered the IAS in 1962, about 6,000 appeared for the written examination, about 600 were called for the interview and about 200 were taken. Now about 60,000 appear for a preliminary examination and 6,000 or so qualify for the regular examination, about 800 for the interview and about 400 are taken. There is no scope for manipulation in the examination or interview. There are different Boards with different compositions.

A very important change is the composition of the services with entrants from the IITs, IIMs, engineering and even medical background. It is no longer a generalist civil service. It is a pool of talent. So far so good!

In the early fifties, the Ramaswamy Mudaliar Committee recommended only two attempts because a candidate gets in by intrinsic merit in the first attempt and by obtaining the technique of the examination in the second attempt. However, the Committee recommended two attempts to take care of sickness, etc. Now, not only the age has been increased but also the attempts depending upon the Reservation. In my opinion, even with Reservation, it is better to catch people young.

The myth goes that civil servants are not paid enough. How far is this fictional?

The pay is low. But a civil servant cannot and should not expect private sector salaries. There is no connection between the work done and the pay or perks in the private sector. Some people talk about the perks like low-rent palatial houses, servants, and vehicles in the government. Even after computing all this, the salaries are low in government. When I got Rs 26,000 at the time of retirement, my niece started with this plus several perks. But there is fixity of tenure in government--one cannot be removed easily from government. In fact, in my opinion, this is the only major drawback in government--you cannot get rid of deadwood. So I recommended in 1977 that Article 311 of the Constitution (on 'Dismissal, removal or reduction in rank of persons employed in civil capacities under the Union or a State') should be diluted and not abolished. I have now written to the Administrative Reforms Commission under Mr Veerappa Moily that this Article should be removed, but civil servants' salaries should be increased.

I have also suggested to the Pay Commission again that they should give up the practice of announcing a package and negotiating on it with the unions. Last time, Mr Indrajit Gupta (Former Union Home Minister) agreed to everything. Instead the exercise should demand what the unions would offer to the government, say less number of holidays, and the pay-package would depend upon this.

Even if you have the best of intentions, some nosy politician can actually foil your plans. Is interference from political leaders just another myth?

There are good politicians who do not interfere. Or they would not interfere against good work. But this kind of species seems to be declining unfortunately. There is interference at every stage particularly where money is involved, making India one of the most corrupt countries in the world. This makes the civil servant either leave with frustration or collude; many civil servants seem to adopt the latter course conveniently, of late. (Hence Article 311 should go with provisions to confiscate ill-gotten wealth).

Aren't there are better ways to serve the people or be patriotic, if that is the spirit behind civil services?

True. One could serve the people and also be patriotic by being in other callings including politics!

Another misgiving that is often voiced is that since a bureaucrat doesn't have a say about people who work under him, his performance can fall flat. Unlike the CEO of a company, a civil servant has no say in the composition of his team.

This is by and large true of the private sector too barring a few exceptions and also perhaps the fourth estate. One should be able to work in any team or to take the best out of it. A system of coterie should be avoided.

What's your take on the allegation of civil servants having to undergo prompt transfers?

True. Transfer is an industry in some States! Even if it is not, it is done in hundreds in some States polarising the civil service itself as pro or anti of political parties. The neutrality of the civil service has gone. The present central government is trying to introduce compulsory tenures at least for some posts in the States. It remains to be seen how far they will succeed. That is why, I have suggested a unified civil service with compartments like law and order, finance, etc so that officers can be transferred only within the same discipline--a similar system was in vogue during the ICS (Indian Civil Service) days.

Some say that civil services are too cushy a job to be challenging. Is it really so?

Not true. The opportunity to serve the people is enormous both in the IAS (Indian Administrative Service) and the IPS (Indian Police Service). At the higher levels too, the jobs are complicated and challenging. One requires intelligence, alertness and also hard work. Of course, very often I felt in the GOI (Government of India) that the amount of time spent and the results achieved are disproportionate.

Does the IFS (Indian Foreign Service) still retain its charm?

In the past, generally high-ranking candidates used to opt for the IFS. It is no longer so; there are however many opportunities to go abroad. But, Foreign Service too, barring in a few Missions, requires high mental calibre and hard work in important Missions and in the Ministry.

Don't you think State allotment makes the all-India Services a misnomer and static?

Yes, this is unfortunately true. This is the reason why some Commissions like Sarkaria have recommended at least two stints at the Centre for the officers and also inter-State transfers. In small cadres like the UT (Union Territory), the experience or exposure is wanting.

Is there really a need for a judicial service? Any suggestions for further improvement.

Yes, certainly. This will ensure a quality judiciary.

Since the services are now politicised, I wonder at times if we could be transparent and frank and switch over to the American system where top bureaucrats are political appointees. In fact, Mrs Indira Gandhi toyed with this idea. Perhaps, we should also revive the old system of services for education (IES) and medical (IMS).

**

IAS Papers : Method of Making Notes

Hi friends, this is one of the mails that i got from Mr. Rahul Garg. I think this will help you much.

There are different methods of making notes and one should decide which method suits you the best. There are two types of making notes, one is the LINEAR NOTES and the other PATTERN NOTES.

Linear Notes

Let us start with Linear notes first, it is a method in which you condense the material you have read using headings and sub headings and jotting down the most important points. This method works best when making notes from a book where the material is already properly organised. But one disadvantage of this method is that you end up copying a lot of material from the book which defeats the very purpose of condensing.

The right way to use this method is to use loose sheets of paper instead of an exercise book since it is easier to keep adding information. It is a good idea to leave space on each sheet of paper for additional information. Another way to make your notes more interesting is to use colors, block letters, making boxes and highlighting as and when necessary. All this will immediately draw our attention to the actual contents of our notes and make it more clear and comprehensible.

Pattern Notes

We now come to Pattern Notes. For this we have to begin the topic at the centre of the page. Each line radiating from it represents a branch of the main idea. Each point is written as briefly as possible using a key word or a phrase. It is a better method to adopt because it is more flexible than making Linear notes. One can add extra information to it at any point without any problem. Second advantage is that we can see the whole pattern at one go without actually turning the pages. Thirdly we can indicate the links between different topics more easily than we can do in a linear method. Another advantage of pattern notes is that it is exceptionally useful when making notes from memory for revision as you keep jotting down points as and when they occur to you. This makes it easier to revise for exams and writing out essays as only brief key words are used. Lastly, it is easier to remember as notes is made in a shape format.

VOICE-NOTES

This is a comparatively new method as it requires a computer and sometimes an internet connection.this is the method-i have been using for last 2 years and secured highest marks in my PG examination.if u need details of this method pls feel free to write me.it is most useful for revision and gives relaxation to ur eyes and involves ur another sense organ-ears.

Heaven will b on the Earth if every village follows Gangadevi palli

Hi readers,
now im here with
The Ideal Village Gangadevi palli, in Warangal district. I accept this as 1st step to acheive Gramswarajy.

Under the the initiation & leadership of Rajamouli one of the youth in that village at that time(before 25 yrs) , this village started shaping its future with the coordination of all the villagers.

Ist they had tried to prevent the consumption and selling of Cheap liqueur, to prevent the Deaths, Quarrels and complaints of liquer consuming families.
Then goes the other developments like adult education, water supplies, construction of roads, education etc.
They had formed somany committees like water committe, education...... etc.

Now it is the Ideal village, which got somany awards, and it is the place where any IAS offcer who goes Warangal on training visits.

Good naa....

Atleast one village like Gangadevi palli in every district in the country will make all Indians proud.

Thosand miles jorney also starts with a single step. Here 1st step they had taken up is Preventing liqueur, then providing drinking water. Then mutual discipline, rules and regulations they themselves made and follwed.

Gram swarajy, as dreamed by Mahatma Gandhi can be achieved with these type of achievements.

If every village becomes Gangadevi palli then we will find Heaven on the earth.

Link to the main source which is in telugu is here
http://www.eenadu.net/archives/archive-14-10-2007/htm/weekpanel1.asp

'civil services' the GREAT

After seeing my last post u may thought that I am discouraging you. But my intention was just to share the latest info.

Yesterday while interacting with Suresh Chanda, IAS ,our Alumnus, i came to conclusion that people who comes into CS(civil services) will not come for money but after lot of time working with less salaries and uncomfortable environment they will be attracted to money.

In the other way round what i can say is getting into CS will add to our qualification and helps us towards hefty packages(in corporate world) after some experience.

And one more thing we always say there will be so much stress in these CS jobs. But aren't these Software jobs, management jobs include stress???? Political pressures and all those are mere crap.

"If our country is not good enough at somany points it is not because of Bad people but due to Good people, Good people not entering Politics or Administration"
- Suresh Chanda, IAS, AP cadre

Bye-bye, Gov; hello, happiness

Many civil servants are opting out of government jobs for the greener pastures of corporate India. Seetha looks at the trend

Sanjeev Kumar (name changed) first resigned from the government in early 2005. But he changed his mind. “I wasn’t mentally prepared for it,” he says. In end-2006, however, he decided he couldn’t take it any more and quit. He joined a real estate development firm in March, and is now leading its foray into a new sector. In 2006, 30 Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers quit the government. “The last three years have roughly seen one resignation every fortnight,” says a senior serving officer. Secure and cushy seem to be passé. Courting risk in high pressure jobs is becoming the new mantra for many in the civil services. Fed up with poor salaries, stifled by initiative-killing processes, demoralised by frequent transfers or politicised postings, bureaucrats are increasingly exchanging their dowdy offices for glitzy corporate workplaces. “I didn’t want to get bored for another 15 years. Or hang on just for job security,” adds Kumar. Not surprisingly, headhunting firm ABC Consultants gets two or three feelers a week from mid-career bureaucrats. “Several have said they would seriously contemplate resigning if an appropriate offer comes,” says chief executive officer Shiv Agrawal. Tax officials seem more demoralised than other civil servants. “There is a feeling that only the corrupt officers can thrive,” says a 1974 batch officer who is waiting for his promotion to come through before deciding on quitting. The interest isn’t one-sided. Bureaucrats, dismissed as stodgy and obstructionist, are in demand in the private sector. ABC has several companies which ask it specifically to get a senior bureaucrat for a post. Former Cabinet secretary T.S.R. Subramanian has been approached by many headhunting firms, asking him to suggest names for posts in the private sector. Companies are also willing to pay anything from three to 20 times a government salary. “It’s a coming together of demand, supply and frustration,” says Subramanian. “There is still not a full connect between what bureaucrats want and what companies want,” says Agrawal. The movement of sarkari talent to the private sector isn’t new, but it was mostly confined to post-retirement sinecures. There weren’t too many examples of serving bureaucrats shifting. That’s changing now, with several bureaucrats having switched to private sector jobs in the past year or so. Rajiv Talwar, a Union Territory cadre IAS officer, joined real estate firm DLF as group executive director in September 2006; so did Surajit Roy, a Delhi, Andamans and Nicobar Civil Service officer, but as vice-president. Five Maharashtra cadre officers — Sanjay Narayan, Pradip Karandikar, Sudha Bhave, A. Ramakrishna and Vishwas Dhumale — joined the private sector last year, as did M. Sambhasiva Rao, an Andhra Pradesh cadre officer, who joined the food and dairy products firm, Heritage. Two Gujarat cadre officers who resigned were persuaded to stay back. There are others who are waiting for their resignations to be accepted — two IAS officers from the Chhattisgarh and Andhra cadres and one Indian Economic Service officer. Department of Personnel secretary Satyanand Mishra isn’t unduly worried: “The number of people resigning is just 1 per cent of a cadre of around 6,000 people. It’s not as if there is an exodus.” Besides, more people are joining than leaving the government. A five-year recruitment plan for 2002 to 2007 set a target of 85 IAS recruits a year. Eighty-nine were taken in 2006 and 90 in 2007. Don’t look at numbers alone, says Subramanian. “It’s a great loss of talent. The private sector will take only the brightest people.” The government isn’t stopping anyone. In January this year, it reduced the cooling off period between government and private jobs from two years to one year. It is also waiving this period without too much fuss. Why are bureaucrats becoming hot property? Liaison work, goes one uncharitable explanation. Rajiv Talwar concedes that bureaucrats’ contacts are a pull factor. “We know how the system works. Some friends are there in the system but, remember, there are many one doesn’t know. The liaison system died with the licence raj.” Earlier, says Agrawal, most companies looked at bureaucrats largely for their contacts. That is reducing in importance now. It’s the project implementing skills of bureaucrats that are in demand, especially in the infrastructure and real estate sectors, notes Agrawal. “IAS officers are programmed for unstructured decision making, managing large teams of people with conflicting objectives and acting with a lot of initiative and autonomy,” says Shailesh Pathak, an IAS officer who is on deputation to the private sector Infrastructure Development Finance Company. As transport secretary in the Delhi government, Talwar had found himself reconciling city planners, environmentalists, politicians, finance department and the legal system in order to get the Delhi Metro project going. “Our ability to take an analytical approach is a huge asset,” says Rao. Adjustment isn’t always easy, though. “Initially, you miss the red light on your car, the instant access you had to important people, the pomp,” laughs Ramakrishna, who is CEO of a Mumbai-based real estate firm, Aakruti Nirman. A post in the government automatically ensures a certain amount of power, notes Anil Dhar, who quit the IRS to work with Reliance Industries in 2000. That doesn’t happen in the private sector. Ramakrishna agrees. A couple of months into his job, he found certain systems not falling into place. He took it up with his bosses, only to be told to explain to the staff what was wrong with what they were doing and why it was important to do it in a particular way. “It is important to earn your credibility through your work here,” he says. The government style of functioning may sit ill with a result-driven private sector, but it needn’t be jettisoned entirely. “The private sector is increasingly becoming aware of the importance of processes,” says Dhar. “There’s a huge change happening.” But it is the private sector’s focus on results that bureaucrats who’ve moved find so refreshing. Many of them had been chafing within a system that, says Pathak, incentivises procedures and disincentivises outcomes. “I am now focused on my job,” says Kumar, “I don’t have to worry about vigilance enquiries, politicians and other irritants. I feel free.”

Godwit

Today I read in EENADU newspaper about a bird called GODWIT.

Godwit has started its journey from Alaska to NewZealand's (11500km) with speed of 56kmph.
It had travelled without taking stop in the journey for 9 continuous days.
Wats about food? sleep?
It didnt take food and its weight decreased to half by the end of journey.
It slept in the journey. but??? for some time with one eye and for sometime with the other.
That means while half of its mind had taken rest while the other half was working.
And in the day it had depend on Light rays and in the nightr on Stars for direction.
Even when the climate was cloudy it didnt miss its route. Greatnaa....

Onemore thing it had travelled all the way on Pacific sea. so there was no chance of taking stop.

How did we know that whether it had taken food or stop? Did somne one flied along with that?
Our scientists had tied an electronic tag to that.
and Satellites and computers helped to to trace what was going on.

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