UPSC-Created Committee Should Announce Selection Panel For Important Postings To Avoid Politicisation: Ex-IAS Anil Swarup

Former IAS officer Anil Swarup has suggested Union Public Service Commission to create a committee to formulate selection panels for all important government posts, while speaking at the launch of his book, Not Just A Civil Servant. He contended that the step would enhance the political neutrality among bureaucrats, checking politicisation, reports Amar Ujala.

Anil Swarup has served as secretary for both Ministry of Coal and Ministry of Human Resource Development. He said that neither all bureaucrats were bad nor all politicians corrupt, therefore it wasn’t correct to blame all the challenges faced by the country on either. He added that what was required is a proper coordination between dedicated and honest bureaucrats and ministers with good ambitions.

He said that honest officers needn’t silently bend before politicians and they can be upfront about what they deem correct. He gave an example from his own experience.

He said that he once gave a suggestion to Union Minister Piyush Goyal after latter scolded the joint secretaries of his department. Taking his advice, Goyal never publicly scolded his subordinates, claimed Swarup.

Former bureaucrat also advised officers to try and do their best in their own limited domains as far as possible instead of grandstanding. He claimed that these small steps of improvement will lead the nation on the path of progress.

Swarup himself launched his book along with his friends and supporters. Explaining why no VIP will be launching his book, he said that his friends and supporters are VIP for him. Edexlive quoted him as saying, “The book will not be launched by a VIP though it will be launched in six locations of the country. The idea is to meet everyone I have interacted with during my career.”