The Hindu : System not at fault

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 29, 2002

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

System not at fault

Sir, __ This refers to the first National Human Development Report of the Planning Commission (April 24). Apart from the `vicious circle' formed by poor governance on the one hand and corruption on the other, certain other observations in the report call for a critical analysis. The existing set-up of the civil service is not altogether unsuited to the contemporary social needs. What was anomalous in the system introduced by the imperial rulers has been gradually eradicated since Independence, the most notable being the separation of the judiciary from the executive. Service Commission recruitments to government posts and the role of local bodies have certainly taken firm roots. If things are not satisfactory, the causes have to be traced elsewhere, not in the system.

The recommendation ``for opening the higher ranks of civil service to contractual fixed tenure appointments'' is laudable and deserves serious consideration. But this cannot be thought of in isolation. The entire system from top to bottom may have to be revamped.

K. Gopalan,

Bangalore

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