AGARTALA, October 18 (TIWN): The 7th Left Front government in Tripura first ever faced the challenge of corruption in 21 years of uninterrupted rule. Not only Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, council of ministers and party in power, the changing circumstances of socio-political and administrative cluster provoked the common citizens, irrespective of political identity and ideology to think behind the mind-sight.From morning walkers to tea seller to intellectuals – are discussing the issue of corruption in bureaucracy and administrative inaction in most of the public causes. When the then Chief Secretary S K Panda, Health Secretary K V Satyanarayana and Director Health Services Dr S R Debbarma were accused of Rs 20 Cr drug scam of Vardhaman Pharma government nakedly stands for them with certificate of honesty.

When job of 10,323 teachers were cancelled in High Court, interestingly everybody started accusing the left front government and Chief Minister but neither party nor the ministers failed to reply the simple question. Yet, nobody asked the most pertinent question about the role of administration, Chief Secretary, other IAS officials  in providing these jobs.  

Ministers are political persons and they are obliged to the party and voters. To ensure balance in decision making process, India has a beautiful design of bureaucracy helping Ministers. Unfortunately, in case of Tripura, political persons are now included into bureaucracy directly. Whoever a few of the top bureaucrats are not belonged to CPI-M before entering into service – they are now obliging the party keeping aside public interest for personal benefit.

Should we not blame the role of Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Education) for the case? If they advised the minister/council of ministers about the consequence about the future of the job do you feel the government approved the party based credit system in appointment of teachers? Had it been any other state I am sure soon after the judgement comes, the state government immediately recommended the action against the officers for their ill-advice and motivated decision. But since, Tripura is different in all respects advisors also know nothing is going to happen even if they caught red-handed in corruption.

If they can convince Manik Sarkar and make him happy otherwise, they are safe even for the heinous crimes. In past one month, the series of crimes committed by the officers proved the impression once again. However, question comes, what will be the future of the people of the state where human resource are poor, officers are corrupt, teachers are spineless and corrupt, quasi-judicial bodies are protectors of corrupt administrators and everybody (including) media is not dare to ask critical question to Chief Minister? Is it the feature of golden era?  

Considering the quantum of corruption in administration a few pertinent questions need to be thought now – it is obvious to go deeper analysis of the changing phase of the state. First, downsize the strength of officers immediately to tackle the menace. We should think :

1. Does Tripura population (40 lakh) deserve 8 dist, 23 sub-div and 58 blocks?

2. Does it for accommodating party cadres in the administration to pave the way for looting public fund to run CPM party in India?

3. Does Tripura really needs 73 IAS, 50 IPS and 57 IFS officers?

4. Does Tripura require 450 TCS, 180 TPS officers?

5. Does Tripura needs 450 Agriculture officers?

6. What is the justification of more than 2000 engineers in the state?

An Election Observer during last Loksabha poll, IAS from Madhya Pradesh cadre raised question: “If population is less than 10 lakh how Govt of India to fund for a district development. Does it to elevate state civil service cadres to IAS? Does this govt wanted to elevate the status of their best liked IAS at central level? Does the govt open up the opportunity of corruption through bureaucracy for political interest?”

Only after four months of the observation made by another IAS about his/her fellow colleagues, it is established why Sarkar was advised to take the decision for administrative expansion. After the expansion of administration shallow knowledge party workers who had joined in state cadre service got elevation and a few of them promoted to IAS despite their limitation they got all the benefits from public ex-chequer. With change of power in West Bengal and Kerala, Tripura becomes the main source of funding for CPI-M party in the country and it is strongly believe that Manik Sarkar promoted and posted his preferred officers to accumulate money for the party.     

If we think the strength supervisors at this minor statistics, we also may calculate the administrative expenditure and misuse of money and power in the name of public service. How can we reduce the chance of corruption in this set up? How can we reduce the misuse of vehicles for these officers? Last, if all are become officers and supervisors who will ultimately do the service at the ground for the public? Does the government left the service provision to his party cadres?

Let us think beyond the description and has to make a clear cut distinction between governance and government.