Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Apr 20: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today asked bureaucrats to stand up to the political class if “wrong orders” are given, telling them not to become a “yes master”.
Singh also said that civil servants should be impartial and show “no hesitation” in taking decisions.
“If a political executive gives wrong orders, do not be scared to show them rules. Tell the political executive that you are legally wrong. Do not sign the file. ‘Haan Mein Haan Naa Milaiye (Do not become a yes master). Do not betray your conscience”, he told the inaugural session at an event to mark the Civil Services Day here.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh presided over the function.
Also present on the occasion were Additional Principal Secretary to PM Dr P K Mishra, Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, Union Secretary DoPT B P Sharma, Union Secretary for Administrative Reforms, senior officers from Government of India as also senior bureaucrats from different States.
Lauding the role of bureaucrats in bringing changes in the society, the Home Minister said the job makes an officer responsible, accountable and impartial.
“Civil services has power. But with power comes big responsibility, accompanied by accountability. We should always remember this. Along with the responsibility and accountability, impartiality is the third most important aspect of our civil servants. Lack of impartiality may affect your decision making capabilities”, he said.
The Home Minister also took a dig at officers who “avoid” taking decisions, saying such hesitation may harm the country’s interests. “If necessary, discuss and deliberate with your seniors but there should be no hesitation in taking decisions”, he added.
Singh said Indian polity has never faced a vacuum and witnessed continuity in all these years as the civil servants contributed largely in maintaining continuity. “This administrative continuity in India has been one of the important reasons for the success of Indian democracy”, he added.
“Our Government is known for its commitment and conviction. The Prime Minister has a dream of ensuring ‘Roti, Kapda, Makan, Siksha and Swasthya’ (food, house, education and health service) for everyone by 2022. Civil servants must ensure that the dream becomes a reality”,” he said.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that nearly seven decades ago, the then Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had addressed the first batch of civil servants after independence and today also the civil servants are being addressed by illustrious Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. He said that this is the occasion to reorient ourselves to the making of ‘New India’. The civil servants are to adapt themselves to the vision of contemporary leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added.
He said that the Ministry of Personnel has made various efforts and taken many new initiatives in the last three years. The Government has taken steps to provide work-friendly environment, he added. He said that the target of the Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is: ‘Maximum Governance, Minimum Government’ and to achieve this, civil servants are an essential tool.
C Viswanath, Secretary, DARPG said that Civil Services Day function is being celebrated since the year 2006. He said that this year’s theme is ‘Making New India’. He said that DARPG has obtained feedback from the District Collectors on the topic of “Creating Value through Human Capital Management in Government” and responses on questionnaire on shortlisted initiatives of priority.
For the awards to be given tomorrow on the Civil Services Day, five priority programme have been identified namely “Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana”, “Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana”, “Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana”, “Start Up India/Stand Up India” and “e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM)”.
The inaugural session was followed by a Plenary Session on the topic “Creating value through Human Capital Management in Government” and three Breakaway Sessions on subjects related to Agriculture, Energy and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship are also being organised on the occasion.
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