Concerns Arise Over Fundraising Practices in Himachal Pradesh Governance

Governance and Fundraising: A Troubling Trend

S Gopal Puri
Dharamshala: Himachal Pradesh has long been recognized for its clean governance and focus on the welfare of its citizens. In this small mountainous state, the administration plays a crucial role in everyday matters such as land use, environmental issues, healthcare, and education, making the integrity and neutrality of civil servants essential.

However, the recent trend of senior administrative officials soliciting 'sponsorships' or 'contributions' from businesses for public events warrants significant public attention.

While these fundraising efforts are often framed as voluntary support for cultural or tourism initiatives, the underlying dynamics are much more complicated. In a context where businesses rely on government for necessary approvals and permits, any request made by officials cannot be genuinely considered voluntary.

This situation exemplifies what is termed coercive voluntarism—where the act appears voluntary but is influenced by an imbalance of power. No business can easily decline a request from the very authority that regulates its operations. Even without overt pressure, the anxiety of potential administrative repercussions can compel compliance.

The All India Services (Conduct) Rules, which govern IAS officers in Himachal Pradesh, not only prohibit direct bribery but also discourage any behavior that might lead to a reasonable suspicion of office misuse, conflicts of interest, or compromised impartiality. Public servants are expected to maintain integrity and be perceived as doing so.

When officials take on the role of fundraisers—even for seemingly public causes—the distinction between governance and personal discretion becomes dangerously unclear.

The primary role of the administration is to enforce policies, maintain law and order, and provide essential services, not to seek funds from entities they regulate.

This practice represents a more insidious form of corruption, often referred to as white-labelled corruption—where no cash exchanges occur, yet it inflicts lasting damage on institutions. It operates under respectable terms like sponsorship or public engagement, but it undermines accountability, transparency, and public trust.

This issue is particularly pressing in Himachal Pradesh, a state facing financial challenges. Gaps in health infrastructure, teacher shortages, disaster readiness, and environmental conservation are significant concerns. In this context, using administrative power to gather private funds for events raises serious questions about priorities.

Public funds are subject to legislative scrutiny, audits, and transparency measures, while private collections influenced by officials are not. This lack of oversight creates a breeding ground for misuse and diminishes trust in governance.

At the core of this issue is the principle of public trust. Holding public office is not a privilege but a duty to the citizens. Authority derives from the Constitution, not convenience. Any action that exploits official power for financial gain—outside established legal frameworks—threatens that trust.

This is not a critique of cultural events or public celebrations; rather, it is a call for clear institutional boundaries. If such programs are deemed necessary, they should be funded transparently through government budgets or managed by independent organizations without administrative pressure.

Himachal Pradesh still has the chance to correct its course. The state must choose whether its governance will adhere to constitutional principles or succumb to informal practices that normalize power misuse. This decision will shape not only administrative ethics but also public confidence in the governance system.