What do you have to say about promotions in the police force?
An independent committee shouldintensively apply its mind to determine the professional capabilities of officers and assess if they overwhelmingly outshine those of his/her senior colleagues before any promotion.
Is merit as well as seniority vital for selection?
Under the existing system of promotion, the criterion to be adopted is seniority-cum-merit. In other words, while seniority is the prime determinant, merit also cannot be ignored.
Is political manipulation a common practice in the selection of top officers?
When apparent favours are bestowed on a person notwithstanding clear rules to the contrary, one has to conclude that there is some 'hidden hand' at work. This 'hidden hand' is nothing but the bounty bestowed by powerful politicians on a reciprocal basis, which means I give you work so that you do my work and not people's work.
What is your take on the decision taken by the Bombay High Court?
We have a thick-skinned bureaucracy which works for the benefit of their political benefactors. In March 2008, when the High Court passed strictures on the government for having faltered in giving service extensions to the then DGP and police commissioner, the Mantralaya bureaucracy behaved audaciously and went ahead and appointed the new DGP by violating rules again.
Yet, the stern and categorical nature of this judgment can bring some change to the system. Further, only when the IAS bureaucrats who violated the law are punished that they will not dare do the same again. This can go a long way in improving the administration.
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