Uncertain fate

Sir — This refers to the news report, “Fix tenure for babus, SC tells Centre” (November1). The Supreme Court’s landmark judgement asking the Centre and the State Governments to form Civil Services Boards within a stipulated period to decide on matters relating to civil servants, has been welcomed across the country by people who are disgusted over the manner in which the political class routinely manipulates the bureaucracy to serve its parochial interests.

Acting upon the apex court’s orders, bureaucrats will now be in compliance with Rule 3(3)(iii) of the All India Civil Services and put in writing the verbal orders of their political bosses. This will stem the politicians’ malpractice of making whipping boys out of the bureaucrats. 

Nevertheless, a section in the bureaucracy will have its reservations about the implementation of the court’s ruling. It rightly fears that these moves too will meet the sorry fate as that of the police reforms which the Supreme Court had directed the Government to undertake.