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by Lloyd Fernando

As long as I count the votes,

What are you going to do about it?

Say.

William M. Tweed

National imperatives and the need to take development to the people were the reasons spelt out for bringing the public service under increasing political control. On the other hand, the upper echelons of the public service in particular accuse the political establishment of interfering in their functions and thus preventing them from discharging their duties impartially and effectively.

Discipline in the public service is fundamental to the smooth operation of the state machinery that is Public Administration as much as it is for governance, or for that matter in the running of the home, or any organisation in civilized society. When discipline breaks down, the structure of the whole unit goes haywire - and you are left with nothing but utter chaos, bitterness and rancour, and overall confusion.

This is exactly what happens when politics get mixed up so intractably with public administration in a government of the people, for the people and by the people, such as in Sri Lanka. It is true the people's representative has a binding obligation by his political supporters but that does not mean he must sacrifice his good name and the trust placed in him by the leader to 'deliver the goods' in the best possible manner.

Selections sans politics

The leader selects his Cabinet of Ministers after much deliberation and careful analysis of the suitability and qualifications of the potential Cabinet Minister for a specific portfolio. Based on this assumption, it is the primary duty of the new Cabinet Minister in turn, to select his 'men' - the most suitable and qualified, notwithstanding their political connotations so much.

On the contrary, if the officer is politically tarnished but possess superlative qualifications on the job with a proven record of excellence in his work, the Minister should surely make use of such officers, under observation, if necessary. Under no circumstances should we sacrifice talent and efficiency for petty political gain. I know of a very senior Cabinet Minister of a past era who practised this administrative exercise sans any political flavouring whatsoever. He ended up with resounding political success of not only a job well done in his portfolio but also of building up a high esteem by the other political parties for his unusually rational political maturity.

However, on the other hand when political supporters or "catchers" with no qualifications except their political affiliations, are haphazardly selected for jobs, the inevitable disorder and confusion arise. The "catchers", slowly but surely, assume control of the office and most officials, sad to say succumb to their political acrobatics in turning the Establishment Code, the bible of the public service upside down, in favour of the political appointees. This, then, is the beginning of the end when the Minister's "catchers" call the tune!

Vile desires

It is most frustratingly disgusting to observe in the recent past how politicians gradually succumb to the vile desires of the political appointees, in getting honest, hard-working officers transferred out, due promotions or allowances withheld, housing and other benefits denied; sometimes to merely satisfy the ego of the "catcher". The Ministerial order has to be carried out, for, 'comply and complain is the ministry attitude and so the disciplinary structure breaks down and frustration sets in among the rank and file. All the norms of office procedure collapse when the catchers' 'have their 'say' before the Minister.

At times it becomes a humiliating experience for the senior staff officers. But, then, life goes on in the Ministerial office and the divisions and departments under it much to the chagrin of the officially dedicated officers.

In the meantime, the political appointees search for ways and means of reaping as many governmental benefits as it is possible in the shortest time from their already established government jobs such as salary advances, loans and concessions, and pension and vehicle benefits; and all this to be accrued within the duration of the government in power. Nothing is politically right which is morally wrong, says Daniel O'Connel.

Who called the tune?

I remember an instance, following a general election, when a political supporter rang the particular Ministry which was going to be the portfolio of the politico, and very abusively, in belligerent tones warned that a particular office cubicle must be reserved for him at any cost, in his new appointment when the poltico takes charge of the Ministry in due course. From then onwards, the political appointees stay at the Ministry could have been summed up as follows, he thought not what be could have done for the Ministry but what he could have done for himself.

Before the term of office of the Minister ended, the "catchers" quit their jobs, having accumulated Himalayan benefits; so much so that the more permanent government servants are yet wondering who called the tune!

Our greatest pretences

Are built up not to hide

The evil and the ugly in

Us, but our emptiness.

The hardest thing to hide

Is something that is not

There.

Eric Hoffer

(The writer is former Secretary to Governor, N.W.P.)

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