The Constitution of India makes a special provision to safeguard the existence, continuity and independence of the bureaucracy in Articles 309 to 312. The framers of the Constitution wanted that the bureaucrats be free from political persecution and intimidation.
The bureaucracy has to be independent and impartial but sadly in Goa it is not living up to this reputation. Some bureaucrats in Goa seem to have totally surrendered to the political rot. The latest glaring example is of the Law Secretary who while officiating as the State Election Commissioner merrily danced to the tunes of his political masters. This very sordid saga has been taken serious note of by our High Court and later by the Supreme Court in very heavily worded observations. The entire bureaucracy must ensure that the State administration at all levels is kept free from political interference. It is unacceptable that officials shamelessly bend and bow all over, while signing on the dotted line at the dictates of the politicians in Power. This not only sets a bad trend, but also exposes the bureaucrats to criminal prosecution for intentionally allowing wrong decisions even on vital matters. Every government employee from the Peon to the Head of the Department cannot be directly or directly engaging themselves or participating in any work pertaining to any political party. This is totally out of place and no government servant should ever have an occasion to visit an office of a political party. Over the last few decades in particular we have seen successive governments using bureaucrats as pawns in their political games, and the situation has just got worse in recent years. Goa has seen and I have been personal witness to brave officers like a former Chief Secretary S.R.Sharma who in 1999 and a former DGP R.S.Sahaye who in 2000 refused to succumb to the unlawful political diktats and were ready to be over night shunted out. The government had the audacity of humiliating these two officers to the extent of locking their offices and withdrawing the personal staff at their residences while they were readying to depart by the first available flight. We need to stem the rot over this interdependent chronic relationship that exists between Ministers and civil servants. It may be time for the parameters of the relationship between ministers and civil servants is made abundantly clear by having a code of conduct for bureaucrats and a code of ethics for Ministers which ensures a neutral relationship between a Minister and Civil servants. The fundamental focus has to be on the political neutrality and impartiality of civil servants preserved at all costs. The bureaucrats in Goa cannot be reduced to being caged parrots. Politicians should realize that officers are there to advise and guide them on issues and not to just adhere to the illegal and unlawful political directives. It is the bounden duty of every government officer to strictly ensure that every proposal they are vetting and approving is absolutely in accordance with law and the constitutional framework. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com