CAN ONE IAS BE THE BETTER OPTION AS A POLITICIAN?

Before we debate about the who fits the bill better, we must understand the pre-requisites of being a good politician. A good politician is first a leader, then a neta. Winning mass appeal needs a strong ideological focus and the power to convince and lead those who believe in him (or his ideologies). Such a virtue is cannot be taught at an academy or cannot be attained by passing certain exam and getting the chair of administration. In other words, an IAS may not be a good leader but a politician is. Hence IAS cannot definitely be a pre-requisite to be a politician. P.S.: Of course the need of the hour is to have greater participation from the educated people who would want to make a difference.

IAS represents a service manned by academically brilliant persons, who are recruited as youngsters and also get intensively trained at all levels of the administration. IAS is vital part of the governmental machinery. As they are in service in a continuous basis, they are in a position to render proper advice to the political bosses, who are elected by the people now and then, depending on their broad national policies and programs.

What an elected political leader visualizes for the welfare of the people, should be converted into reality by planned implementation, for which the IAS and its subordinate services provide expert assistance.

Politics refers to a vast area to which the public-spirited, service-minded persons opt with a view to lead the people towards peace and prosperity. They should understand all the aspects of life. They should be thorough about the potentials of natural resources and human resources in the country. They should have a sound knowledge of the history and should have formulated clear policies in the light of the lessons learnt from the history. The political leaders should be prepared to make sacrifices for public interest and discharge their responsibilities when they are elected, in the common interest of the country, i.e. without any vested interests and hidden agenda.

IAS officers and political leaders actually work together; though their roles are different, administrative goals should be the same.

IAS officers are suited to act as politicians, just as any other professional would be; because, the political leadership is concerned with all the aspects of life of the people, without any exception. A knowledgeable IAS officer would be strong in men and matters, while a doctor or engineer would be able to understand the needs of the people in their respective areas, plan and execute special schemes to take care of them.

In ideal democracy, such a doubt would not arise because the political leaders would also be equally learned persons, known for their public service. So the question of comparing them with well-educated decent persons would not be necessary. In our country, the political leadership, barring exceptions, is not noted for education or decency. It has become very common to find people with criminal records wielding substantial political influence. The behavior of politicians in public forums, right from the municipal councils to the Parliament, speaks in volumes on this subject.

The disease is spreading to the bureaucratic machinery also, thanks to the manipulations of the politicians. IAS and other top level services are increasingly filled by the officials coming from lower ranks, in many cases as rewards for their unholy alliances with the political people. Even among the IAS officers and other top level officers, we come across persons who are corrupt and criminal. So, it is not correct to think of IAS officers as direct and better substitutes for the 'present day politicians'.

The real question is how to drive away the bad elements from the political field and fill it with well educated, decent, public-spirited and honest persons.

IAS officers are responsible for strategic work, planning, delegation of work and overall execution of the works planned. Over the years they may adopt the style of politicians but if they adopt it for planning and execution then all will be politics and development works will take back seat. Since they will be working with politicians they've go by their temperament but at the same time they have to realize they are meant for the state's work and not politics. Well, how many bureaucrats have become great politicians?

no... whether IAS or a common man its not the matter , a politician must be a public worker .

AMRITA.AND ALL OTHERS OUT THERE.....TO VINDICATE MY VIEW WRITTEN IN THE MORNING.CNBC IS CURRENTLY RUNNING A 10P.M SHOW ON FACE THE NATION.....IS THE CULTURE OF CORRUPTION RAMPANT AMONST IAS OFFICERS ANCHORED BY SAGARIKA GHOSH.........

NOW IS IT WORTH TALKING ABOUT THE BEAST TAKING OVER THE DEMON.

ITS FOOD FOR THOUGHT

sanjay singhal

What do u think, Indian cevil services are known for the service or for Burocracy?

Do they lead, or take orders?

The question asked here is like" Can doctor become an enginear?"

Answer is yes. he can, if he learn and understand all skills ,tricks...

but then will he be remain doctor while working as Eng.?

sorry. i guess, i am talking too much.

my answer is NO.

Politics is about leadership of masses or people. IAS officers generally takes leadership in administration or in some government schemes and if he gets support of people, then definitely he can also do the same like politicians and that skills is available with selected individuals only.  

I say "NO' friends and I think that the reason is obvious.A politician is supposed to take the country in a path conducive and in harmony with the interest of us-the citizens.For that, he needs to have qualities, some of which, cannot be accquired by an examination.

I will like to query to my friends who are in support if they do not have any qualms to put such massive responsibility in the hands of someone who is immature (the mature IAS officer will never think of being in politics) or one who is indecisive etc etc? Surely not and there is the answer.

An officer from the Indian Civil Services has been trained to inplement policies and not to make them; to solve problems and not to stop them before they happen; to advise and not to seek advise. So-if you want to have an IAS as a politician, then why not a LLB as an IAS or even a B.E/B.tech as an MD and a butcher as a barber??? The defence rests its case.

Amrita is correct. IAS officers as politicians...never. Some may be suitable but in principle, I stand by Amrita.

Shivendra thats a good idea but I think there should a separate course for politics, and educated politicians will teach them or some training should be conducted to become a politician.

This will give us good leaders and the system will get a new face......