Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has expressed his displeasure over the functioning of some IAS and IPS officers, particularly the younger generation. He pointed out that the standards set by the older bureaucrats are not being upheld.
He lamented that while senior civil servants used to guide political executives, helping them avoid mistakes and make well-informed decisions, the current generation seems to be encouraging errors rather than correcting them.
Speaking at the launch of ‘Life of a Karma Yogi – Memoir of a Civil Servant’, a book written by retired IAS officer M. Gopalakrishna in Begumpet on Sunday, the Chief Minister criticised the younger officers for their lack of proactive guidance.
"In the past, bureaucrats would point out the deficiencies in political decisions made by the Chief Minister and ministers, offering advice on their potential negative impacts and guiding us to take better steps. I have observed in the last 14 months of my tenure as the CM that when mistakes are made, rather than correcting them, many officers suggest that we should make even more mistakes," he said.
The Chief Minister also expressed concern over the attitude of some civil servants during their training period. He cited examples of IPS officers entering police stations in uniform and involving themselves in private disputes, which, he described, was deeply unfortunate. “Such actions are unacceptable, especially from officers in their formative years,” he remarked.
Reddy also spoke of the increasing trend of IAS officers remaining confined to air-conditioned rooms rather than engaging with people directly in the field. He noted that district collectors, in particular, seem hesitant to leave their comfortable offices and interact with the public.
"I have directed the chief secretary to ensure that field visits are recorded in the service books of district collectors, and that officers who regularly visit the field are given priority in postings. Is the laidback approach some kind of disease?" the CM remarked in frustration.
The Chief Minister called for civil servants to draw inspiration from exemplary figures like S.R. Sankaran, T.N. Seshan, and Dr Manmohan Singh, who have left indelible footprints. He opined that today's bureaucrats are not using these iconic leaders as role models. Instead, they seem to be emulating political executives who set wrong precedents.
“Politicians may sometimes make decisions based on personal interests or to please others. It is the responsibility of bureaucrats to critically analyse these decisions, provide feedback, and help steer political leaders toward better choices. Alas, that level of responsibility is lacking today,” Reddy said.
The Chief Minister praised the efforts of M. Gopalakrishna in compiling his six-decade-long career into a memoir. He highlighted that the book serves as a valuable resource for current and future civil servants, offering insights drawn from years of firsthand experience in governance.
“We can purchase anything in the world, but we cannot buy experience. This book is a guide for serving civil servants. Gopalakrishna has witnessed the rapid transformations the country has undergone over the decades,” Reddy said.
The Chief Minister stressed the importance of bureaucrats returning to their roots and working closely with the people they serve. He urged civil servants to be more proactive in helping the marginalised and poor, pointing out that only those who serve the people efficiently will truly make a mark in society.