21 October 2024 : Daily Answer Writing

Q1) The role of the civil service is not limited to the mere welfare of the people but extends to the realm of upholding the spirit of the constitution. Elaborate.

(150 Words/10 Marks)

ANS

Role of civil service in ensuring welfare of the people (service delivery) can be seen from the following:

1. Policy Formulation: The civil servants at the higher levels are responsible for policy formulation which transform into services deliverable to citizens. For example, formulation of the National Food Security Act, 2013, NEP 2020.
2. Implementing Laws & Policies: Civil servants are also responsible for ground level implementation of policies. For example, monitoring of PDS shops and procurement at MSP.
3. Welfare of vulnerable sections: Welfare of vulnerable sections including women, senior citizens, etc. is ensured by district administration to specific schemes.
4. Example-Free distribution of sanitary napkins in Churu (Rajasthan) under District Administration.
5. At broader level, institutions like Central Woman Commission, Minority Commission etc. play a key role in this.
6. Crisis management: DM is the Chairperson of District Disaster Management committee which is responsible for crisis management in district. E.g., the administration is ensuring adequate provision health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
7. Grievance redressal: The district level administration has an important role to play in taking into account and disposing the grievance of the citizens.

However, the role of civil service is not limited to the mere welfare of the people but also to uphold the spirit of the constitution as discussed below:

1. Smooth transfer of power: Permanent bureaucracy ensures continuance in administration after every general election. The permanent character of bureaucracy gives stability to constitutional democratic order.
2. Non-political and secular nature of bureaucracy ensures that trust of people is maintained in various institutions and mechanisms like Election Commission, CAG etc. Trust of people in intentions and capacities of these institutions is necessary for maintaining constitutional order.
3. Unity and integrity of nation: By acting as a link between the government and governed, bringing in economic reforms, making governance inclusive, bureaucracy has promoted unity and integrity of nation as welfare of public checks secessionist tendencies.
4. Rule of Law: Government servants in IAS, IPS and agencies like CVC, ED play a key role as enforcers and preservers of rule of law. The bureaucrats-led institutions like Central Information Commission play a key role in ensuring transparency in governance.
5. Ensuring equality: Ensuring equal access to all services irrespective of caste, sex, religion is a key feature of permanent executives or bureaucrats.
6. Ensuring participation: Civil servants play a key role in ensuring participation of people in decision making and implementation. For Example, Construction of the “People’s Road” led by Armstrong Pame in Manipur.

While civil service plays a key role in ensuring service delivery and democratic governance, there are certain key issues like bureaucratic inertia, lethargy, reactive policy making, and systemic bottlenecks that hinder its functioning. Thus, there is need of comprehensive reforms to address above issues. Capacity building through Mission Karamyogi, e-governance, enforceable citizen’s charter, etc. while ensuring independence, depoliticization and security of tenure are vital to maintain the strength of “steel frame” of India.