Why we need efficient and non-partisan civil servants

First, Bangladesh inherited the civil service system introduced by the British in the sub-continent. Civil servants in Britain are servants of the Crown (the Crown is an institution which never dies, and the King or the Queen is the individual who holds the institution). The position and functions of a civil servant remains the same whichever political party is in power. Stability of administration is ensured by the political neutrality of the civil servants. A follower of Westminster style of parliamentary democracy and inheritor of the civil service introduced by the British, Bangladesh needs politically neutral civil servants for the stability of its administration. In our neighbouring countries such as India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, the politically neutral civil servants continue to play an important role in the overall administration of their countries. In the United States, there are political appointees under the spoils system and the permanent civil servants.

Second, democracy has not yet taken a deep root in Bangladesh. Political analysts are of the opinion that the success of a parliamentary democracy depends upon the democratic spirit of tolerance, devoted sense of respect and relentless response towards institutionalism of democracy. In a country like Bangladesh where parliamentary democracy has made fresh a start, the ruling party or the leadership should do everything towards the positive turn of establishing a democratic system of government. It should respect public opinion and the opinion of the opposition, whether inside parliament or outside, and resolve all political disputes with the spirit of democracy. On the other hand, the opposition political parties, particularly the main opposition, should accept the fact that the party/alliance winning the elections has got the right to rule for the period stipulated in the constitution of the country. But this happy situation has not been prevailing. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Awami League (AL), which have held the state power for the last 14 years or so, have created an unhealthy situation for functioning of democracy in general and the parliamentary system of government in particular. Such a situation demands efficient and non-partisan civil servants for impartial implementation of our national policies and programmes as well as for running the day-to-day administration successfully.

Third, the Pay and Services Commission has observed that the task of the government makes heavy demands on the civil servants. The execution of policies embodied in existing legislation, formulation of new policy, formulation and execution of development programmes, management of international relations, wide range of research on commercial and other economic policies have imposed a heavy burden on our civil servants. The burden on the civil servants of a developing country like Bangladesh is all the more onerous when account is taken of the duty to secure international acceptability of development plans and projects and simultaneously national acceptability of the same at levels where poverty, illiteracy, and divisive political forces predominate. Only highly capable and carefully trained men would be able to handle such complex situations.

Further, interdependence is becoming an increasingly important phenomenon worldwide. The global approach to problems which were hitherto of national interest stem from our domestic needs of economic stability, poverty reduction, and creation of maximum employment opportunities. At present, Bangladesh cannot undertake a sizeable development programme without foreign assistance or without making high structural changes. In such circumstances, a civil servant is tested for his ability as an effective negotiator. A thorough knowledge of the subjects under negotiation and a high degree of confidence in the abilities for negotiation are demanded of the senior civil servants. The civil servants of the country have thus to be truly professional.

Fourth, many political bosses, that is ministers, state ministers, etc do not have previous knowledge of working in a ministry. It is the responsibility of the senior civil servants in the ministries to initially guide such ministers in the discharge of their duties. As public representatives, the ministers have certain obligations to their electorates and others who helped them financially or otherwise in their elections. When they come with requests, the ministers seek advice from the senior officers to suggest a way to help them. The senior civil servants come to suggest ways which are not in contravention with the established government rules, orders, etc.

Fifth, the ruling party always tries to achieve political gains from food safety-net and social safety-net programmes. These programmes include vulnerable group feeding, gratuitous relief, allowances for the widowed, deserted and destitute women, and old-age allowance. The civil servants at the field level have to remain watchful so that the benefits of these programmes go to the target groups. This can be expected from the non-partisan civil servants only.

Sixth, for holding general elections of members of parliament peacefully, fairly and impartially, the system of non-party caretaker government was introduced in the constitution through the Constitution (Thirteenth Amendment) Act, 1996. The civil servants have to play the most crucial role for holding such elections peacefully, fairly, and impartially. This is an onerous responsibility on the civil servants. There are national and international election monitoring agencies and observers to see whether election is being held fairly and impartially or not. Future of our nascent democracy and national image are involved. Efficient and non-partisan officials are required to do the job successfully. The last three general elections of members of parliament held peacefully, fairly and impartially received national and international acclamation. This establishes the need for efficient and politically neutral civil servants.

Last but not the least, Article 59 of the constitution provides that local government in every administrative unit of the republic shall be entrusted to bodies composed of persons elected in accordance with law. Article 60 enjoins that parliament shall, by law, confer powers on the local government bodies. At the moment, elected local government bodies are functioning only at the union level. Elected local government bodies are absent at the zila and upazila levels. The ruling BNP is committed to reintroduce elected bodies at these two important tiers of administration. When reintroduced, the smooth functioning of the local governments, particularly at the upazila and zila levels, will require services of efficient, experienced, and non-partisan civil servants.

To conclude, considering the role of the civil servants in the overall administration of the country, the need for efficient and non-partisan civil servants can hardly be over-emphasised. Political parties should keep in mind that politicisation of the civil servants ultimately does not bring any good to them. The political masters should decide policy issues and the civil servants will implement them impartially. Clear distinction has to be maintained between the two roles.

M. Abdul Latif Mondal is a former Secretary to the Government.