Varnashram In State Machinery

Muslim Murasu, February 2012

All human beings belong to one race. All are created by One God. One is kind while other shines with talent. One person has photographic memory while another person comes by as quick tempered. Some one else is public-spirited by nature.
All that is required to get a government job is to have a degree. Desks differ. There is sea difference between desk of clerk and that of officer. British empire enforced this divide and rule policy on Indian soil. There is no let-up yet. Green ink signature, vehicle with beacon light, spacious office room, a peon placed at service, guest house with lavish facilities, these are steps in government varnashram (medieval hierarchy). Higher post is not vacant. This makes a person continue as clerk. A person has already occupied chief engineer post. This makes another person languish as assistant engineer for more than twenty years, made to serve as a slave, inspite of having adequate merit and experience. Higher post, middle level post, clerk, bottom most post, these levels bring mental differences and distorts sense of responsibility. Some people are vested with powers while others are relegated as second fiddles, slaves and cheerleaders to run state machinery.
There is no dearth of postgraduates in Tamilnadu. Candidates with MBA, MA, ME, ML degrees from universities compete for peon post. But the way higher officers are recruited inspires shock and frustration. It is required to clear examination by service commission. Immediately authoritative powers are conferred on them. Decision-making powers are given in trust. In these days of rampant bribery and corruption, working abilities and thinking prowess of those occupying higher posts should be brought to light. Higher bureaucrats strut with kingly pride. Other employees in the department are not treated with equal respect. The distinction between officer and staff is cruel. The gap and misuse of power know no limits. Excesses by politicians are routinely exposed. But the attitude of officers controlling government works with sweeping power stays out of public gaze. Bossy attitude of higher officers is an important reason why public funds are wasted. One person is having extra power while another person can work but cannot make any decision. Government offices expose two extremes simultaneously. Desk, room and signature are different in the same office. Government funds are wasted due to authority.