Procedure to Punish Guilty Needs Relook

What should be the other qualifications?
Recently, the Venkatachelliah Committee on Constitutional reforms had discussed that other positive qualifications and credentials that such members should have. In addition, the man should be of impeccable character, of integrity. The scope and space of providing political patronage and reward should be plucked.

Should there be some kind of punishment specified for wrongdoers?
The removal and suspension of the wrongdoers has become complicated. For instance, in the case of PSCs, they can be removed by the order of the President on the ground of misbehaviour or when reference has been made to the Supreme Court. These, unfortunately, are very very complicated, complex and long-winded affair and this, I think, requires a relook. The definition of what is deemed to be misbehaviour is a justifiable issue. The guy could say I have done it in good faith.

Do you think the presence or absence of an Ombudsman (the Lokayukta) helps?
Somebody should keep track of what’s happening at the state level, suddenly a scandal should not erupt. Some ombudsman should be there as more often than not, these things escape the attention of the people. There should be review mechanisms. The Union Public Service Commission can play an active role in developing public opinion and a culture of meritocracy. Influence quality of PSC people through seminars, discussions and training programmes.

Since we already have a UPSC, do we really need the state PSCs?
We are a federal set-up. You do require people at the cutting-edge level, medium-level and at the higher-levels. You can’t centralise also, how do states get officers, districts get them. They have their own regional languages, their own qualifications. Also, with simply one level the workload of the UPSC will be indeed enormous. Already, the states are complaining that the IAS is accountable to the Centre rather than the states who pay the salaries.

Do you think structural reforms in the PSCs will revive them? And what should be the nature of the reforms?
As in the case of vice-chancellors, where there is a three-member search committee with one from the state government, one from UGC and an independent person, a similar panel to screen and grade the candidates should be set up to eliminate the possibility of wrong fellows getting in. Annual review by the chairman should also take place to prevent any misuse after a member has entered the PSC. Finally public opinion should act as a whiplash.