Stop political interference in bureaucracy: SC

New Delhi, Oct 31: Finally a move that might set things right in Indian bureaucracy to a large extent. The

on Thursday said

officers will no more take verbal orders from their politicians. Also, the apex court sought to end frequent transfers and asked centre and state governments to pass order within three months on giving fixed tenure to civil servants.

The judgement is based on a petition filed by 83 retired bureaucrats. Much of the deterioration in bureaucracy is because of political interference, the court observed. It said that civil servants should not act on verbal orders given by political executives and all actions must be taken by them on the basis of written communication.

The judgment comes close on the heels of controversies surrounding alleged persecution of Uttar Pradesh IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal and Senior Haryana cadre IAS officer Ashok Khemka.

Suggesting sweeping reforms in the functioning of bureaucracy, a bench headed by Justice K S Radhakrishnan said Parliament must enact a law to regulate postings, transfers and disciplinary action against bureaucrats.

The bench said that giving a fixed minimum tenure to a civil servant will not only promote professionalism and efficiency, but also good governance.
The bench ordered the constitution of the Civil Services Board at the Centre and state-levels. The apex court passed the verdict on a PIL filed by 83 retired bureaucrats, including former cabinet secretary TSR Subramanian seeking its directions for insulating bureaucracy from political interference.

The petitioners also include former Indian ambassador to the US Abid Hussain, former Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami, former Election Commissioner T S Krishna Murthy, former IPS officer Ved Prakash Marwah, and former CBI directors Joginder Singh and D R Kaarthikeyan.

Oneindia (with agency inputs)