New Delhi, April 21 (PTI): Expressing concern over the perceived rising "nexus" between politicians and civil servants, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday asked bureaucrats to stand up for what is right and speak the truth to the political executive.
He also said that instead of preferring to be indecisive and evasive and defer a decision, every civil servant has to be dynamic, initiative-bearing and problem-solving.
"This calls for reorienting bureaucracy into meritocracy. Mediocrity should be disincentivised," the vice-president asserted.
Naidu made these remarks while addressing officer trainees from various services on Civil Services Day in Hyderabad.
According to the text of his speech made available by the Vice-President's Secretariat, he said, "I can assure you all that the politicians are wise and receptive to good suggestions if they are presented to them convincingly and rationally."
"This is because no minister would like to risk being punished for wrongdoing or a bad decision. The growing nexus between the political class and civil servants being widely referred to as a matter of deep concern."
The vice-president was of the view that civil servants need not take an adversarial position "on all matters". "When you are instructed to present a particular issue in a certain manner that suits the political executive, all you need to do is to speak for the right and, if required, do so in writing.
"If you are overruled, the authority concerned would be taken to task. The political and permanent executive should work in tandem and in the right manner. The political executive should definitely change," he said.
All that the officials have to do, Naidu said, is to show up their character and be on the right side of the law.
"If not, you will be conceding ground to your political masters from which neither of you will benefit. On the contrary, the country and the people will suffer that much. So, I advise you to strictly stand up for the right," he advised them.
Citing his experience, the vice-president said 'yes sir' types are not respected in the long run while "speakers of truth" are.
Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from news agency feeds and has not been edited by The Morung Express.
Source: PTI
