Inaugurating the first annual lecture 2014 on Indian Civil Services and economic development of India under Directorate of Training (UTCS), Delhi State, lord Meghnad Desai presented his views on the Indian Civil Services and its contribution in the economic development of the nation.
Addressing civil servants as the gatekeepers of the nation’s resources, lord Desai reassured the need to be more efficient in developing economy. Comparing public sector to the private one, the eminent economist said that bureaucrats are the real managers of the society. They are doing the same work as the manager of any private sector company does. Civil servants must have the managerial technique so they can manage their different sections in the time of crisis.
lord Desai blamed the governmental policies for lagging behind at various fronts of the nation. He focused on the need of specialty in Civil Services so it can serve the nation in a better way. Differentiating the perspective of Civil Services since Independence, lord Desai stated, “In the beginning only Humanities graduates were heading for Civil Services but now the scenario has changed completely; all higher degree holders with a particular subject want to join the service instead of going for research and other academic pursuit”.
While advocating about the maximum use of civil servant’s potential in the service of nation, he focused on the trust which has almost been uprooted. “If we lend our money to banks, even we have to show our identity as the existence of our life,” said the economist, adding, “This is an example of colonial mentality. Mistrust has become the central to Indian transactional culture, which is a barrier in the smooth way of economic development.” He assured civil servants to come forward and work collectively for the development of the nation.