Role of Civil Services in the Post Liberalisation Period in India

The administrative system, which serves as the most crucial tool for our nation’s government, is supported by the civil service system. After India gained independence, the government service was reorganised.

• Before the introduction of a new era of structural reforms in the Indian economy, there was the presence of the “Licence Raj” or T “Permit Raj”, inefficient public sectors, stagnant economic situation, excess rules, and regulations. Red tapism was experienced by the private players.
• Enhancing Technical Orientation of our Civil Servants: Fast pace of globalisation is mainly driven by the rapid advancement of communication technology. So, at present, for effective and efficient administration use of technology is must. This would help in enhancing the technical orientation of our civil services.
• Civil services have to change their mindset from ‘only government can do’ to ‘government in partnership with the people can do’. With the demand for greater governance, the role of civil society organisations and the private sector in governance has grown over time.
• Globalisation has increased the importance of international organisations like the UN, IMF, World Bank, WTO, etc.

⇒ Now, we can’t ignore these organisations  otherwise we would be isolated in the new economic-political-social world order. Dealing with these organisations needs professionalism, tough negotiating skills, etc.

⇒ So, to avoid becoming a loser while dealing with these international organisations, we have to train and reorient our civil services with the skills required for this.

• Our country is one of the worst sufferers of global terrorism. The activities of global terrorist networks have revealed the inadequacy of conventional national security structures based on the modern nation-state system, thus forcing national governments to engage in the new form of international cooperation.

⇒ The use of information technology by these terror organisations and cybercrimes are other aspects in this regard which needs urgent attention. To tackle these dimensions of crime, our civil services need special training.

• The 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Indian Constitution have provided constitutional status to the local bodies. But no significant delegation of power has taken place. There is a need to strengthen administration at the district level.
• The Bhilwara model (in Rajasthan to contain the Covid-19 pandemic is a successful example where local bureaucracy can play an important role in containing the spread of disease at the local level.

Civil Services Board:

• The apex court of India given judgement in 2013 in TSR Subramanian and others VS Union of India case in which Supreme Court asked both, the Centre and State, to establish “Civil Services Board”, which will take into consideration about the transfer and postings of the civil servants without any involvement of the Ministers or political interference. SC also stated in this judgement that there is need to end regular transfers of the officers by the ministers.

Functions of the Board:

• The main function of the board is to decide about the transfer of the civil servants before his/her fixed term ends.
• On every 1st January the Board will present its report along with details about the meetings to the central government.

Composition of the Board:

• The board is led by the Chief Secretary of the state. Its members include the senior most additional chief secretary or chairman, Board of Revenue, Financial Commissioner, or an officer of equal rank and status. In addition, it will have the principal secretary or secretary, department of personnel in the state government as member secretary.

Limitations of the Civil Service Board:

• Advisory in nature: The governments may revise, modify, or reject the civil service board’s proposal for reasons that must be documented in writing.

• Lack of Compliance: So far, just 20 states have constituted a CSB, with Punjab being the most recent to do so in 2020. Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, for instance, have not followed the essential rules for establishing the board.

Conflict of Interest: The board will be led by bureaucrats who may have a vested interest in the outcome of the procedure.