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Bureaucracy: Permanent Executive, Feature and Role in Governance

November 28, 2023 2512 0

Exploring the Bureaucratic Machinery 

The permanent executives consist of the bureaucratic machinery. Distinct from the military, this machinery is referred to as civil services.

Roles, Accountability, and Inclusivity in Indian Bureaucracy

  • Administrative Assistance by the Permanent Executive: Trained officers are responsible for aiding ministers in policy formulation and implementation. 
    • They serve as permanent government employees.
  • Political Neutrality: Bureaucrats are expected to refrain from taking political stands on policy. 
    • Even if a government changes post-election, the bureaucracy must adapt to and implement new policies faithfully.
  • Composition of the Indian Bureaucracy: The vast complex of Indian bureaucracy includes All-India services, State services, local government employees, and public sector personnel.
  • Recruitment Process for the Permanent Executive: Recognizing the importance of a non-partisan and merit-based bureaucracy, the Constitution established the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to manage recruitment. 
    • State-specific commissions were also set up.
  • Fixed Terms and Accountability: Public Service Commission members serve fixed terms, with their removal subject to a rigorous review by a Supreme Court judge.
  • Inclusivity in Recruitment: To foster representation, the Constitution provides job reservations for Dalits, Adivasis, women, and other backward classes.

Classification of Civil Services

IAS and IPS as Pillars of the Permanent Executive in State Administration

  • UPSC selected IAS and IPS officers form the core of high-tier state bureaucracy.
  • District Collector: Typically, an IAS officer, the collector is a pivotal district-level figure. Their service conditions are set by the central government.
  • State vs. Central Dynamics: While IAS/IPS officers operate under state supervision, they are appointed and disciplined by the central government, bolstering central control over state administration.
  • State Public Service Commissions: Beyond the UPSC, state bureaucracies are populated by officers selected through state commissions, further contributing to the integral role of the Permanent Executive in maintaining central-state administrative balance.

Government Policies, Avoiding Political Interference, and Enhancing Accountability

  • The bureaucracy is tasked with delivering government welfare policies to the public. 
    • However, its power often intimidates the common man, leading to a perceived insensitivity.
  • Political Interference: While independent recruitment mechanisms exist, there’s concern over insufficient protection of civil servants from political meddling. 
    • Excessive interference risks turning the bureaucracy into a political tool.
  • Accountability and Transparency  in the Permanent Executive: There’s a sentiment that the Constitution lacks provisions to hold bureaucrats accountable to citizens. 
    • Measures like the Right to Information are hoped to make them more answerable.

Examining Power, Expertise, and the Permanent Executive’s Involvement in Policy Decision-Making

Political Executive Permanent Executive (Civil Services)
Definition Elected by people, holds office for a specific period. Includes major decision-makers like the Prime Minister. Long-term appointments. Civil servants remain in office regardless of political changes.
Power Distribution Ministers (Political Executive) have more power because they represent the people’s will and are accountable for their decisions. Civil servants have less power in decision-making as they are mainly responsible for executing policies and decisions made by the political

executive.

Expertise While civil servants might have more technical knowledge, ministers decide on the overall objectives based on expert advice and the public’s interests. Civil servants usually have more technical knowledge and expertise in specific areas as they work in the same field for a long period of time.

 

Permanent Executive Impact: Analyzing Policy Shifts through the Mandal Commission and Later Changes in Civil Services Recruitment:

On August 13, 1990, the Government of India issued an Order. 

It was called an Office Memorandum.

This Order said that 27 percent of the vacancies in civil posts and services under the Government of India are reserved for the socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC)

  • Prior Reservation Scenario: Job reservations were previously only for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
  • New Introduction: A third category, SEBC, was added. Only those belonging to these backward classes could vie for the 27% reserved jobs, while others couldn’t compete for these specific positions.
  • SEBC Defined: Communities deemed backward by the government.

Origins and Impact: The Role of the Permanent Executive in the Mandal Commission’s Recommendations for Backward Classes in Civil Services

  • The Second Backward Classes Commission was appointed in 1979. 
    • It was popularly known as the Mandal Commission, led by B.P. Mandal.
  • Commission’s Objective: Led by the Permanent Executive, determine criteria for socially and educationally backward classes and recommend advancement steps.
  • Key Recommendation: 27% of government jobs should be reserved for these classes. The recommendation was debated in Parliament. 

Suggest a title for the same using Permanent Executive in this 

  • The decision became a heated topic nationwide.
    • Support: Addressed inequalities among castes and ensured fair opportunities for underrepresented communities.
    • Opposition: Viewed as potentially perpetuating caste differences and endangering national unity.
  • Opposition in Courts: Various cases against the order were filed. Cases combined into ‘Indira Sawhney and others Vs Union of India’.
  • 1992 Supreme Court Verdict: While the Permanent Executive was not directly involved, the Supreme Court upheld the order but recommended excluding the affluent from backward classes from reservation benefits.

Conclusion

  • The Indian Executive, with its multiple layers of authority and responsibility, plays a pivotal role in the nation’s governance. 
    • From the President’s discretionary powers to the Prime Minister’s centrality in policy-making and the bureaucracy’s role in policy implementation, each component of the Executive contributes to the smooth functioning of the nation. 
    • The Constitution, with its emphasis on a parliamentary executive, periodic elections, and power limitations, acts as the bedrock, ensuring that the Executive remains answerable to the public.
    • In a world fraught with challenges, it is imperative that the Indian Permanent Executive remains steadfast, agile, and committed to upholding the principles enshrined in the Constitution, thereby maintaining the welfare of the people and the sanctity of the democratic process.

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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