The politics-bureaucracy interface

The root issue is simple enough, but evil: misuse of power and influence (at the vertical and horizontal levels for 3-D effect). It is independent of social or economic hierarchy, urban or rural environment, or time and place. As all landlords or zamindars are not saints, so all politicians are not that honest not to misuse their status or influence. It does not matter whether the society is developed, evolving, or changing. Local culture has its own flavour, but the intention is the same -- exploitation. Note the Finance Minister's audit discovery: petrol bill of Tk two lakh per month for one Pajero jeep used in a public sector organisation.

The Prime Minister has to be tough and impartial, and show the way to acceptable cultures in social styles in the public arena. The cultural bias takes time to eradicate, as confirmed by the visiting US professor on journalism (DS interview, June 6).

Our politicians pay too much attention and waste time on political approaches (one-way mindset), and neglect the other sectors for the improvement of the society (before trying to 'improve' the self). We lack political moralists, and have too many finger-pointers.

Time to cut down the size of the PMO, and that of the Cabinet it's economy of style, as some one pointed out in this column.