Role of civil services in a democracy.

1. What is relevance of Civil servant neutrality when appraisals transfer and disciple action are in hands of political executive?

2. civil services activism should it be there or not?

What are the two salient characteristics that are desirable in a bureaucrat or in bureaucracy?

Transparency

The second hallmark of a bureaucrat is 'anonymity'

I think that closes the subject of 'activism'.

Sir can u pls elaborate

A bureaucrat is an instrument through which the executive governs !!! The executive has got the constitutional authority derived from the people's votes.

Activism has derogatory connotation. Development administration urges bureaucracy to be neutral but pro-active. Neutrality is essential irrespective of the power of political bosses on transfer etc

I recently heard that trait by our last Foreign Secretary- Sujatha Singh. she said that no bureaucrat should take credit for policies executed because at the end its a team work.

She 'was' the secretary it is highly desirable to be 'anonymous' there have been excellent bureaucrats who have achieved many a great things but they are 'unknown’.

let me put it this way if any of you want to be popular avoid coming to the civil service it makes you less effective (compared to the potential you may have).

Political executives have policy initiatives and bureaucracy has implementing responsibilities.

to an extent

we have to come out of the mentality and image created that politicians and bureaucrats are at logger heads the 10% of the friction is what is easy to talk about and get distracted you need to know there is 90% action going on 'anonymously' towards a better country !!!!

Sir can't we use activism on positive note like holding public meetings, asking for feedbacks, making people aware of their rights, ensuring quality of goods and services?

Thats the job of politicians, especially if it is done with your name on the top of it. if it happens under your guidance without your name then it’s alright.

Then what is meant by civil services activism sir!!?

such an activism is MOST REQUIRED and is being done ANONYMOUSLY

Cant I write this in answer sheet sir?

definite NO for exam

Sir UP Govt helds a DM conference where best practices are discussed and are awarded. This can promote developmental activism?

Best practices are not activism

Sir Vinod rai, T.N. Seshan they should be counted under activism acc to this logic or not?

You understood correct but NO for exam

There is nothing like civil services activism. They are carrying out administration and formulate implementation strategies.