Racy tales of a bureaucrat

Bureaucracy wields power since its senior members know how to use the mighty pen. Much of their contribution, however, remains hidden in files to which the public has very little access. 

Civil servants, by training, are a reticent lot, and are further prevented by Service Rules from sharing their views in public. Once freed from such restrictions upon retirement, many members of the IAS and other services feel tempted to share their varied experience with the wider audience. 

Unfortunately, much of what could have been fascinating stories, degenerate into dreary prose on account of the authors’ attempt to highlight their personal achievements with a self-projection that is generally banal and bereft of humour. 

Of the recent publications, Parimal Brahma’s book, Confessions of a Bureaucrat happens to be refreshingly different. Firstly, as a distinguished former member of the IA&AS, he has had the opportunity to serve in various ministries like Civil Aviation, Defence, Environment, and Personnel — in other words, outside his ‘Audit and Accounts Department’ — and thus acquire a perspective both as an insider and as an outsider. 

Secondly, he has shown the ability to observe in the decision-making process certain aspects that are hilarious or even absurd. 

Thirdly, while assessing individuals — civil servants, ministers and other high functionaries — he has not adopted a ‘safe’ approach. He has been frank in his evaluation of the processes involved and of the key players in the corridors of power. 

Finally, in penning his experiences, both official and personal, he has displayed a sense of humility, as if he was not cut out for this ruthless system of governance — and impartiality — traits that are not particularly valued these days.

The work is divided into five parts, interestingly titled Parables of Defence — ‘Straw Men or Stuffed Men?’; Civil Aviation: Never Taking Off; Development Through Constructive Destruction — Environment and Wildlife; Democracy or De-mockery! and Into the Secret Citadel of CAG, which is further sub-divided into 47 short chapters. 

The author has a racy style of storytelling, with anecdotes galore, while dissecting serious subjects. In the process, the labyrinthine manner in which a file moves hierarchically reveals itself.

He discusses the different defence scandals and the role of the CAG in exposing them since the days of VK Krishna Menon. 

Of defence ministers, Brahma admires Sardar Swaran Singh, heaps high praise on Babu Jagjivan Ram and gives evidence justifying his opinion. Brahma records his impression of the four defence secretaries he had worked under: Govind Narain and DR Kohli from the ICS, and Gian Prakash and Sushital Banerjee from the IAS. While Narain and Banerjee were widely respected for their ability, behaviour and leadership, neither Kohli nor Prakash (who later became the first IAS officer to become CAG) was found to be up to the mark. 

Brahma’s stint in the Civil Aviation Ministry was also quite enriching. The Open Sky Policy was introduced in 1994 with the scrapping of the Air Corporations Act, but Air India started declining. While Singapore Airlines had been operating with less than 100 persons per aircraft, AI had about 1,000 per aircraft. 

Its wage bill went through the roof with its pilots being the highest paid in the world! ‘In 1995, the tax-free income of a Commander of Air India averaged a whopping Rs 60 lakh a year.’ Even Russi Mody could not make a difference. His unguarded comment ‘that he could not take orders from 500-odd MPs to run the airline, had to be withdrawn and an unconditional apology tendered to the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Transport!

How MK Kaw as Civil Aviation Secretary was unceremoniously shunted out in the mid-1990s, because of his support for the Tata-Singapore Airlines has been narrated in detail. Ratan Tata reportedly disclosed how much bribe was sought to be paid to the political bosses in order to get permission to start a new airline. This was, of course, denied by the government of the day.

While lamenting the lack of ethics and integrity in different rungs of the government, he also focuses on individuals who shine bright. 

Here, he alludes to the tragic story of the IAS topper of his batch, Abhas Chatterjee and how Chatterjee’s career was ruined by politicians. ‘Honest to the core, principled, straight forward, full of idealism and patriotism and bubbling with energy, Abhas never compromised on what was not right with any minister, politician and bureaucrat. He held on to his values and principles till his untimely death… It is because of these few honest officers that the system has not collapsed.’

In the final chapter, Brahma writes about the role of the CAG and its institutional evolution over the decades.  He shows how Narahari Rao, Ashok K Chanda, AK Roy and Ardhendu Baksi, who had all risen from the department, functioned exemplarily, and resents the role played by certain officers after this post came to be monopolised by the IAS. 

Brahma, however, is quite discerning and his pen-portraits of successive CAGs are a treat to read. Yet, whether the CAG has been expanding its scope of work bordering on intrusion into the turf of the Executive remains a moot question.

The dominant tone of Brahma’s book is critical, though informed largely by objectivity. He has narrated, with an open mind, what he has seen happening all around. Even if it looks a little pessimistic, this work of love will be valued for its truthfulness and for its candid portrayal of powerful men and matters of importance. 

He has effortlessly woven serious subjects with delightful humorous episodes, making the book so enjoyable. How else would one know that the naval headquarters once insisted that juniors should salute their superiors, even while riding a scooter! The author deserves credit for bringing into the open hidden stories of great public interest.

Author is retired IAS officer. He has also served in the private sector and with the UNDP