Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar has expressed his concern over some bureaucrats at the state level wielding more power than politicians and called for introspection and counselling to ensure that civil servants adhere to the values and beliefs of the civil service. He was addressing civil servants at the 16th Civil Services Day inauguration ceremony.
Mr. Dhankhar emphasized that the emasculation of the “steel frame of India” is taking place in some parts of the country because of ingratiation with political masters, straining the federal structure, and undermining transparency and accountability in governance. During his speech the Vice President also highlighted the importance of harmonious functioning between the Centre and states as a Constitutional imperative.
He said that civil service plays a pivotal role in ensuring this harmony by exhibiting scrupulous adherence to conduct and the legal regime. So, there is a need for resolution beyond surface-level measures and urged civil servants to strictly adhere to the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 and related legal provisions, including seeking written confirmation of oral directions from official superiors as mandated. He called for ending oral fiats as the governance based on oral directions undermines transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, and can have detrimental effects on the quality of governance and the reputation of the civil service.
