ANALYSIS OF TERM ‘CIVIL SERVANT’ AND APPLICABLE SERVICE RULES
INTRODUCTION
In a democracy, the civil services play an extremely important role in the administration, policy formulation and implementation, and in taking the country forward towards progress and development. Civil service, which portrays the body of government officials who are employed in civil occupations that are neither political nor judicial. Applicable service rules are included for the Conduct, Discipline and Appeal rules in case of Management employees and the applicable Standing Orders in case of employees other than Management employees.
WHAT IS A CIVIL SERVANT
The Civil Services refer to the career government civil servants who are the permanent executive branch of the Republic of India. Democracy is an egalitarian principle in which the governed elect the people who govern over them. There are three pillars of modern democracy:
1.Legislature
2.Executive
3.Judiciary
The civil services form a part of the executive. While the ministers, who are part of the executive, are temporary and are reelected or replaced by the people by their will (through elections), the civil servants are the permanent part of the executive.
The civil servants are accountable to the political executive, the ministers. The civil services are thus, a subdivision under the government.
The officers in the civil services form the permanent staff of the various governmental departments.
They are basically expert administrators.
They are sometimes referred to as the bureaucracy or also the public service
FUNCTIONS OF CIVIL SERVICES
Basis of Government:
There can be no government without administrative machinery.
Implementing Laws & Policies:
Civil services are responsible for implementing laws and executing policies framed by the government.
Policy Formulation:
The civil service is chiefly responsible for policy formulation as well. The civil service officers advise ministers in this regard and also provides them with facts and ideas.
Stabilising Force:
Amidst political instability, the civil service offers stability and permanence. While governments and ministers can come and go, the civil services is a permanent fixture giving the administrative set up a sense of stability and continuity.
Instruments of Social Change & Economic Development:
Successful policy implementation will lead to positive changes in the lives of ordinary people. It is only when the promised goods and services reach the intended beneficiaries, a government can call any scheme successful. The task of actualising schemes and policies fall with the officers of the civil services.
Welfare Services:
The services offer a variety of welfare schemes such as providing social security, the welfare of weaker and vulnerable sections of society, old-age pensions, poverty alleviation, etc.
Developmental Functions:
The services perform a variety of developmental functions like promoting modern techniques in agriculture, promoting the industry, trade, banking functions, bridging the digital divide, etc.
Administrative Adjudication:
The civil services also perform quasi-judicial services by settling disputes between the State and the citizens, in the form of tribunals, etc.
WHAT ARE THE APPLICABLE SERVICE RULES?
Civil Service Rules
The Civil Service Rules govern personnel practices and are binding for state classified employees in all state agencies and departments. These Rules are adopted and amended in open hearings by the State Civil Service Commission.
What are service rules in India?
1.high ethical standards, integrity and honesty;
2.political neutrality;
3.promoting of the principles of merit, fairness and impartiality in the discharge of duties;
4. accountability and transparency;
5. responsiveness to the public, particularly to the weaker section
What is the role of All India Services?
Power, purpose and responsibilities
The All India Services Act, 1951 empowers the government of India to make, after consultation with state governments, rules for the regulation of recruitment and conditions of service of the persons appointed to an All India Service. The Indian Civil Services Act was passed in 1861 under the Viceroyalty of Lord Canning. It provided the reservation of certain principal posts for the members of the covenant services. Thus, the Principal posts were reserved for the British.
Author: Laura Zanza,
LPU second year
