Rusty steel frame

The events in Uttar Pradesh triggered by the Taj Heritage Corridor project brought under the spotlight many questions that have been known b...

The events in Uttar Pradesh triggered by the Taj Heritage Corridor project brought under the spotlight many questions that have been known but to which the ordinary citizen is still unable to find satisfactory answers. Corruption, nepotism and crime of a myriad dimensions against citizens seem to have become a part of our political system. A number of those charged for various crimes according to the law of the land continue to represent us as law makers. But what is even worse than this is the rusting of the proverbial steel frame which forms the core of the country8217;s governance. This development is of even greater concern because it jeopardises not just good governance but governance itself.

Some may ask, what can the poor civil servants do if their political bosses order them to act in ways contrary to the law? The answer is equally simple: What is the worst that could visit them should they insist on going by the rule book? They would probably get banished to nondescript posts. But they would retain their honour, dignity and their pay. There are avenues available for protection if they are victimised further. What is even more important is that political bosses would still have to operate through other civil servants to pursue that victimisation. After all, civil servants of the country are not in the private service of any feudal lord even if many political leaders behave like one.

But do our civil servants have the integrity to stand up for what is right? The answer clearly is no, if we are to go by the numerous instances when bureaucrats have collaborated with politicians to commit crimes of various kinds. Ultimately, the actions of the derelict civil servant are even more reprehensible than the wrongdoing of their political masters because they let down the entire system that they have been groomed to uphold. One can only hope that the right lessons are drawn from the Taj Heritage Corridor episode. The specific acts of omission or commission of individuals would undoubtedly be gone into according to the law. But the broader issue has to be addressed by everyone. Integrity has its costs; but it is far less than the price of misgovernance by those responsible for governance.