In our democratic setup, delivery of governance is undoubtedly crucial considering fortunes of crores of people depends on this. For effective implementation of government services, support of bureaucracy is vital. It’s a pillar of democracy as it implements decisions of democratically elected governments. A common man gets firsthand experience of governance during his visits to a police station, a government hospital, civic ward office, a tehsil office or district collectorate.

Each and every bureaucrat in any department is superintended by his bosses sitting in Mantralaya. Though the state’s chief secretary happens to be the head of the entire bureaucracy, the powers of posting, transfers and approval of confidential reports have been with ministers and, in case of senior bureaucrats, with the chief minister. So babus are answerable to their bosses and not to the taxpayers. So, despite enjoying sweeping powers to rein in the state bureaucracy, when our ministers appear helpless, instantly it becomes a cause of concern.