People say that friction always results in something good. If the friction is between friends, after the friction, the bonds of friendship strengthen. If it is between wife and husband, then it results in better understanding. This is true in every walk of life. The reference of friction here is related to the friction now seen between IAS and CBI. And, people are of the opinion that the friction and the discussion thereon is for the good of the society and nation at large.
IAS Officers Association in AP had met Kiran Kumar Reddy and complained to him about their apprehensions on CBI summoning them and questioning. But, it seems our CM took the matter lightly. Even Pankaj Dwivedi, the top most ranking IAS Officer in the state being the Chief Secretary, also rubbished their anxiety. Dwivedi categorically said that those IAS Officers, who have not committed anything wrong, need not worry.
When they were not given any assurance as they desired, the IAS Officers conducted a meeting after which they raised some important questions. They asked whether it is justifiable to question those who have grabbed 'just a crore of Rupees� leaving those who grabbed �hundreds of crores of Rupees'. Their second question was how could the Minsters were being questioned in their chambers when IAS Officers were being summoned to CBI Office. Their next question was whether the corruption was only in IAS cadre and not in the political leaders. And ultimately they are lamenting that this is all downgrading their stature and prestige in the society.
How many of these questions are justifiable, people are asking. Many of these questions contain answer in themselves. Nobody denies the fact that IAS Officers were all these days treated a class by themselves. But nowadays, many of them are making rounds either to CBI office or to Jails. And if few of them are languishing in Jails, whose fault is that? As top bureaucrats in the country, they are vested with special position, special duties and special responsibilities of ensuring safety to public money. But what did some of them do? They either misused or abused the power vested in them either for their own good or for some political leaders. So, naturally they have to answer for their deeds. After all, one is answerable to his deeds. If they cry foul today, nobody may come to their rescue. They have to introspect themselves as to who is responsible for their downfall? If they have abused the public trust, they have to answer it now.
After all nobody can be above law. When some of them stand as accused in a case or two, they have the right to knock the doors of justice and come out unscathed, if they are not guilty. All this support of IAS fraternity to the accused is looking murky and totally not acceptable. People have a point in their resentment on this issue of IAS Officers coming openly to support their tainted colleagues. Their claim of feigning innocence or stating that grabbing a 'few crores' is not a crime when leaders have amassed 'hundreds of crores' is totally meaningless. It means that they want themselves to be spared because they grabbed only few crores of rupees. How dare they ask like this? Irrespective of the fact whether big fish or small fish, all foul smelling fish should brought to book. Who gave them the right to swallow even one single rupee? Should they not be more vigilant and responsible for the public money they are handling?
It would have been very good if they came out openly stating that they are all against any corruption in the society and they would fight corruption tooth and nail, even against their own brethren who committed a crime or alleged of committing a crime. It is time that IAS Officers remind themselves of our national motto 'Satyameva Jayathe' (Truth alone Triumphs) and in the motto long practised in our nation 'Dharmo Rakhsathi Rakshitah' (Protect the Dharma and it will Protect You).
The Government of AP, led by a political leader Kiran Kumar Reddy and guided by a senior IAS Officer Pankaj Dwivedi is right in snubbing the IAS Officers for their unwanted and unjustified protest.
Jayaprakash Narayan, a senior voluntary retired IAS Officer, now MLA, has resented the attitude of the IAS Officers. He pointed out that are adequate safeguards for all the IAS Officers to work freely and to express their opinions frankly. He made it clear that there is enormous corruption in the society, which should be rooted out by one and all. He called upon his ex-fraternity to be more vigilant. However, people say that IAS officers are thinking that Jayaprakash is now more a politician than an ex-IAS.
People are happy that this friction has erupted into open and they say this discussion is good for the society. It makes everybody realise and understand who is standing for whom and who is worth what and how much trust and confidence we can repose in the IAS Cadre and in our political leaders.
Let there be more friction!! Let there be a sensible bureaucracy that can lead us to a brighter better tomorrow!!
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