Whispers Forum

The allegation in the WIC Forum(Feb 22,2025) titled “Corruption by UPSC- recruited officers is alarming”, seems motivated. An impression is sought to be created that UPSC-recruited officers in various organized services are corrupt. This is a misplaced perception without being familiar with the internal functioning of UPSC. The accusation carries the risk of de-motivating lakhs of civil services aspirants who appear in the three-stage examination held by the premier body of the country, year-after-year. Baseless allegation amounts to serious indictment of a constitutional body whose practices have stood the test of time spread over several decades. The written parts of exams(Mains and Prelims) are conducted in total anonymity. The interviews ( personality tests) for written-qualified aspirants, are conducted by retired civil servants and specialists who have vast experience in scanning human traits and the best qualities of head and heart. The system is fair. Qualities like honesty and sincerity are appreciated. It will thus, be unfair, in these circumstances, to blame the UPSC for selecting corrupt civil servants. Trouble starts after training and appointments. It is difficult to predict how and when a civil servant could turn into a crook. The ground reality is that abuse and misuse of power starts soon after taking charge of the job. Authority and corruption go hand in hand. It is at this stage that civil servants are exposed to evils like pressures from corrupt politicians and seniors, kickbacks, administrative delays, speed money, lack of accountability etc. Corruption is a universal phenomenon: individual-centric and job-related. Honest civil servants, more often than not, avoid lucrative postings. Absence of effective vigilance administration also contributes to corruption. The ruling dispensation would be well-advised to expedite prosecution sanctions sought by the CVC and CBI in respect of a large number of civil servants. This would enhance good governance besides sending a message to all, down the line! No wonder, India was ranked 85 among 180 countries in the corruption perception index.
A K Saxena (former civil servant)

This step of the government, albeit late, is welcome that a big campaign is being started against non-communicable diseases responsible for eighty percent of deaths in the country. About ninety crore people above the age of thirty years will be tested for sugar, BP and cancer across the country. Actually, this campaign should have been started much earlier, however, now the government should also ensure that those who are outside the ambit of Ayushman Yojana should also get cheap medicines and medical facilities at low cost.
Yogita Malviya

President Trump’s suggestion to PM Modi: “I leave Bangladesh to PM Modi”, is welcome. As per US media reports, some leaked files confirm US’s covert hand in destabilizing Bangladesh and overthrowing ex-PM Sheikh Hasina. The problem was created by Biden, who was supposedly close to Md. Yunus. Trump’s suggestion could, however, be a blessing-in-disguise for India to ward off China’s threat. Let me be more specific. The ruling dispensation in Bangladesh is an unelected, interim government, cosying up to China and Pakistan and receiving covert support from the ISI. China’s motive is to disturb the balance of power in the region by creating unrest in India. There is utter chaos in Bangladesh. It has lately hinted at even scrapping the “uneven” international border fencing deal with India struck by Sheikh Hasina. The Hindu and other religious minorities are being tortured and their places of worship vandalized. This could not be possible without the covert and overt support of the interim government. Sheikh Hasina is on extended stay in India. Restoring the status quo ante by her safe return to power is important. The question is : Should India intervene militarily to create conditions conducive for holding general elections in Bangladesh? Diplomatic efforts alone may not suffice amid escalating violence and growing radicalism. The army is divided into several sections owing allegiance to different political parties. Trump’s advice comes in handy. To follow up his offer to India to handle Bangladesh on its own, concrete action is needed. China has its eyes set on the Siliguri corridor (Chicken’s neck),a crucial link between the North-east and the rest of India. It is strategically important and sensitive. India faces the perennial danger of untrustworthy China cutting off the chicken’s neck. To neutralise the threat, India must consider annexing northern-most territory of Bangladesh bordering Siliguri corridor and convert chicken’s neck into an elephant’s neck. China took over Tibet. No country except India protested. President Trump advocates taking control of Panama canal, Canada and Greenland. Then, why should India lag behind in neutralizing the threat perception from China?
A K Saxena (Former civil servant)