Scams and Selections: The Troubling State of Civil Services in India

Civil Servants Under Investigation for Fraudulent Claims

A fresh scandal has emerged, involving 15 civil servants who are now being scrutinized for allegedly securing prestigious IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS positions through fraudulent reservation claims. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has initiated an investigation following numerous complaints, many of which were lodged by RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar, highlighting the misuse of caste, EWS, and disability certificates. These allegations are serious, with some officials suspected of falsely claiming PwBD (Persons with Disabilities) status, while others are accused of misrepresenting their SC, ST, or OBC credentials to manipulate the UPSC system. This situation is reminiscent of Puja Khedkar from Maharashtra, who posed as an IAS officer while being adept at forging caste and disability documents. The pressing concern is not just the occurrence of such fraud but the frequency with which it goes unnoticed. If the UPSC and state governments fail to verify certificates before appointments, the integrity of the eligibility criteria is called into question. Reservation should serve to create equal opportunities, not become a loophole for the privileged. If fraud infiltrates civil services, it undermines public trust, affecting both citizens and genuinely disadvantaged candidates. Urgent measures for transparency, real-time verification, and strict penalties are essential. If those in power can exploit the system, what hope is there for the rest of us?

Uttar Pradesh's Police Chief: A Role of Uncertainty

In Uttar Pradesh, the position of police chief has transformed from a prestigious career milestone to a revolving door of temporary appointments. Rajiv Krishna, a notable IPS officer from the 1991 batch, has recently taken over as the new DGP, succeeding Prashant Kumar, who retired on May 31 after a tenure filled with accolades and over 300 police encounters. Speculation about Kumar's potential extension lingered for weeks, yet the government remained silent—no official panel was dispatched to the UPSC, and no selection committee was formed, leading to a quiet transition. This scenario is not new; Krishna marks the fifth acting DGP since 2022. The Supreme Court has established clear guidelines for DGP appointments, emphasizing transparency and merit, yet in UP, these guidelines appear to be more like suggestions. An acting DGP offers flexibility, which translates to control for those in power. Thus, we find ourselves in a cycle of temporary leadership, with the DGP position becoming increasingly unstable.

Haryana's IAS Aspirations Hit a Snag

Haryana's attempt to expedite the promotion of 27 state civil service officers to the IAS has encountered significant obstacles due to the UPSC's intervention. This setback comes at a critical time, as the state is already facing a shortage of IAS officers. The core issue lies in pending criminal charges against at least eight of the officers slated for promotion. These are not minor infractions; they involve serious charge sheets filed in court. Despite this, the state attempted to argue that a charge sheet does not constitute a final report under Section 173 of the CrPC, hoping to bypass this complication. However, the UPSC dismissed this argument as 'legally untenable' and returned the list, requesting a revised version free from unresolved legal issues. Unfortunately, even those officers without pending cases find themselves in a state of uncertainty. Haryana is in dire need of 215 IAS officers but currently has only 171, highlighting the urgency for clear and legitimate selections.

Conclusion

Dilip Cherian