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The administrative mess in Pabna

Let everything be guided by rules
22 September 2010, 18:00 PM
EDITORIAL
The deputy commissioner of Pabna and the local ruling party MP appear to be on a war footing, as they are accusing each other of being extremely uncooperative or even hostile. The situation reached such a pass that the officials of the district administration decided to submit a petition for mass transfer. The disputes between the district administration and the local public representatives are indeed a matter of concern. Such a state of affairs can only demoralize the government officials as they fail to discharge their duties without fear or favour when the local leaders try to influence their decisions. The political diktats cannot always be acceded to without violating the rules and regulations. This is an extremely embarrassing situation for the officers who care about the rules and have a modicum of faith in professional ethics and principles. For example, it has been reported from Pabna that the local MP had been pressing hard for withdrawal of cases against his men which he termed politically motivated. He allegedly intervened in the process of recruiting some employees for the district administration. Apparently, the MP wanted things to go his way as the elected representative of the people. The latest row between the bureaucrat and the politician once again raises the issue of what precisely the relations between them should be. While, politicization of the administration is a charge that almost all the governments faced in the past, it now appears that MPs and other local leaders are trying to meddle in day-to-day governmental activities. Obviously, the civil servants have to respect the public representatives, but the two sides should have clearly demarcated areas of jurisdiction and respect for each other. The trouble must be nipped in the bud. It is imperative that a high level intervening mechanism for resolving all such disputes is evolved and made to work. There must be no rivalry between the people's representatives and the government functionaries. The Pabna situation in particular calls for a probe. The ruling party high-ups have to take note of what is happening in Pabna and rein in the elements trying to exercise influence over administrative officials who are required to work professionally and according to rules.

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