For Karnataka bureaucrats, it's an unenviable 'balancing' act

BENGALURU: The Congress' resounding victory in the assembly elections in Karnataka has put the lid on uncertainties of a fractured mandate and shifting political allegiances for some time to come. However, so far as the state's bureaucracy is concerned, a clear-majority government has kindled a dilemma that may not be all that easy to contend with.
Karnataka's bureaucracy is faced with the unenviable task of having to "balance" the priorities of a Congress-led government at the state on the one hand and that of a BJP-led dispensation at the Centre on the other.
Given that the central government has a sizeable political and administrative stake in Karnataka with key schemes such as suburban rail, MGNREGA, Jal Jeevan Mission and other development projects in the works, possibilities of frequent run-ins between the two parties and the respective administrations led by them have kept state bureaucrats on tenterhooks.
A cross-section of bureaucrats - both serving as well as retired -that STOI spoke to suggested that there would be challenges in managing the administration under the current political climate where state and central government priorities often cross swords.
With the crucial Lok Sabha elections just 10 months away, the Congress government's stern warnings to the bureaucracy and police in Karnataka to shed "political biases" and opposition BJP's attacks on the government's "populist" schemes have become major talking points in the state's political and bureaucratic circles.
While many believe that Karnataka, due to its precedence as a well-administrated state, may not face much of a backlash from either of the two political parties over policy matters, a few others have raised concerns over not being able to openly air their criticism or appreciation for the various projects and schemes undertaken by the state and central governments.
"From the poll promises of the current regime to the previous government's projects, many of us are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. We have to manage the situation with the best possible solution," said one senior serving IAS officer, adding that though most officers cannot be fired from service like it happens in the private sector, they can nonetheless have their careers jeopardised.
Some other bureaucrats raised the issue of "fear" over coming under CBI or ED scanner, vested with the Centre and Lokayukta, and the vigilance wing of the state government. Such "fear" could impede strong and decisive action, officials said.
"On politically sensitive issues, it is difficult to read the situation these days and so, we wish to remain in the background to avoid any media glare that may project us in favour of one government and against another," said another senior IAS officer who was concerned that there could be a funds crunch in their department, which is dependent on central grants.
However, some retired senior bureaucrats harped on a positive note, saying Karnataka has always had the advantage of being able to strike a smooth working relationship with the Centre.
"When the state bureaucracy interacts with the centre, it is our own batchmates or our own brethren that we have to deal with. There seldom lends a political colour to Karnataka bureaucracy's functionality," said one senior IAS officer.
Another retired officer, who has dabbled into politics, suggested that trouble for the bureaucracy brews only when the babus "overstep" their own jurisdiction and get directly involved in political decisions.