MEA and Bureaucracy have become the goto organization for people to demonize over here. Leave the 71s bro. See the current situation. Porkies have been internationally isolated cos of efforts of MEA. But nahi. Yaha logo ko ye thodi dikhta hai.
Bureacrcy is a social phenomenon and a very important part of social structure in the form of hierarchy and authority that brings centralized order to an administrative structure of the systems of governance. Bureacrcy on one hand brings efficiency and on the other imparts continuity and stability to the order.
Modern bureaucracy has been defined as comprising four features: hierarchy (clearly defined spheres of competence and divisions of labor), continuity (a structure where administrators have a full-time salary and advance within the structure), impersonality (prescribed rules and operating rules rather than arbitrary actions), and expertise (officials are chosen according to merit, have been trained, and hold access to knowledge)
However, on the otherside, like any other well-knit social structure bureaucracy develops its own interest akin to the caste system in our society in perpetuating itself and in being self servient. Bureacrcy develops interests in their area of interest, areas of Influence and in functionality taking that as sources of their strength and power. The worst thing is bureaucracies developing competitions amongst themselves within the system and try to outdo each other to ranking or get more powers and influence.
One requires very strong controlling systems, checks and balances for keeping bureacrcy on track and within the formal limits. It is here we sadly are very weak and vulnerable, In a democratic setup like ours, it is the executive and legislature that are meant to exercise the control and provide policy directions. But it is the weakness of our democracy that ensures that the controlling agencies are not so effective.
It is because of the nature of our elected form of governments because of which bureaucracies have taken control over legislation and executives, Limited five years tenure means a lack of background and continuity, the need of money, use of unfair means, power of criminality in politics, and needs of being reelected means development of nexus between bureaucracy nad politicians to sure and fulfill those needs. Well, it is thus no surprise why IAS and IPS and now even IRS are top of the apex - because they exactly fulfill these illegal needs of politicians - make more money, use criminality and build a large chest of illegal money for the next elections or otherwise remain in power.
So what is the solution? The solution lies in public education and public awareness which could keep the politicians and bureaucrats in check. A strong judiciary and system of justice, Strong and independent Media, and public campaigns are the checks, Elimination of the role of money, illegal criminality, illegal and corrupt practices can be checked if we have enlightened public interest. Fair and competitive methods of recruitment and selection, periodic review, elimination of subjective factors and protection against political harassment of bureaucracy are another set of solutions.
Bureacrcy per se is neither good not evil if kept under checks and balances. But if those who are supposed to keep check and balance joins hands with bureaucracy and fills all Thanas of UP with Yadavs one can imagine what can happen. Or if Jihad is directed at filling up Bureacrcy as claims Sudarshn News with proofs- imagine what will happen.
