Political parties and their elected representatives face upheavals as their fate depends on voters in democracy. Their status faces uncertainty while bureaucrats enjoy permanency until they retire. They enjoy all perks and privileges besides opportunity of collecting wealth if they are corrupt. Their own corruption is more concealed than that of the elected rulers. If they connive with political leaders and join hands in a corrupt deal, they are exposed as in the controversial ‘Adarsh’ case in Maharashtra
Their attempt to keep secrecy of their assets and wealth is not challenged as according to reports that all bureaucrats have not declared their assets before and after their service even though the declaration is statutorily required. There are number of instances when bureaucrats in district administration including that of collectorate or zilla parishads or municipal corporations create controversy by staunchly opposing their respective political rulers by inaction or indirect confrontation.
Periodical reports in the regional language print media about such confrontation are glaring instances the way the privileged class behaves with the elected class in our democratic system. They are easily accessible to people. Most of the collectors at the district level have limited time to meet people with their grievances — almost once a week or one or two hours in a day.
Though all bureaucrats are not insincere or opposing their political rulers, some sincere and honest among them are not encouraged or backed by united efforts when they face crisis as has happened in some recent cases. Again there are groups according to the regional identities and some hidden strategies are also suspected when certain bureaucrats with sincere approach to people and gain image are not appreciated by other in the same cadre. These are the plus and minus points within the cadre and may not be much harped upon. Because all of them enjoy the same privilege, pay and perks which political party workers do not enjoy unless they turn to be rulers after being duly elected. Hence after enjoying so much privilege and perks why should bureaucrats be allowed to enter politics?
This is the main question which is haunting not only common citizens but also some honest colleagues of the bureaucracy. Politics and administration should have separate status and if it is jeopardized, the very spirit of the constitutional provision would be eroded according to some retired bureaucrats. The reformation and new bureaucracy is therefore needed in new political atmosphere in the country. All political party leaders are therefore expected to think of the propriety and utility of the privileged bureaucrats who enjoy perks and VIP status as administrators and then join politics after retirement having pension and other post-retirement benefits.
