Bureaucracy in India is acclaimed as the steel frame of the country
Bureaucracy in India is acclaimed as the steel frame of the country because of the strength provided to the administrative structure by the civil servants. Bureaucracy is strong machinery that ensures the delivery of services to the citizens across the country owing to their diverse roles.
Role of civil services in public services delivery:
- Policy Formulation: The civil servants at the higher levels are responsible for policy formulation which transforms into services deliverable to citizens. For e.g., the formulation of the National Food Security Act, 2013.
- Implementing Laws & Policies: Civil servants are also responsible for the ground-level implementation of policies. For e.g., monitoring of PDS shops and procurement at MSP.
- The welfare of vulnerable sections: The welfare of vulnerable sections including women, senior citizens, etc. is ensured by the district administration to specific schemes. For e.g., free distribution of sanitary napkins in Churu (Rajasthan) under the District Administration.
- Grievance redressal: The district-level administration has an important role to play in taking into account and disposing of the grievance of the citizens.
Role of bureaucracy in preserving constitutional order:
- Smooth transfer of power: Permanent bureaucracy ensures continuance in administration after every general election. The permanent character of bureaucracy gives stability to the constitutional democratic order.
- Maintaining the trust of people: The non-political and secular nature of bureaucracy ensures that the trust of people is maintained in various institutions such as the Election Commission, CAG, etc. Trust of people in the intentions and capacities of these institutions is necessary for maintaining constitutional order.
- Unity and integrity of nation: By acting as a link between the government and governed, bringing in economic reforms, and making governance inclusive, bureaucracy has promoted unity and integrity of the nation as the welfare of the public checks secessionist tendencies.
- Ensuring equality: Ensuring equal access to all services irrespective of caste, sex, or religion is a key feature of permanent executives or bureaucrats.
- Transparency: The bureaucrats-led institutions like Central Information Commission play a key role in ensuring transparency in governance.
Certain reforms through a spectrum of measures such as capacity building, e-governance, and enforceable citizen’s charter while also ensuring independence, depoliticization, and security of tenure will help in maintaining the strength of the “steel frame” of India.
