I WAS born in a middle-class farmer family in Salem district of Tamil Nadu. I was very good in studies but burned the midnight oil to reach my goals. After schooling, I secured admission into Loyola College, Madras which is considered on a par with St Stephen’s College, Delhi. I got a master’s in economics. Loyola was known for producing IAS officers – it had a 20 per cent share in the total number of successful candidates from Madras. I watched my friends and collegemates being selected but it never occurred to me to try myself. But then, since I lived in the hostel, the academic and competitive spirit got to me. I was successful in the first attempt, with economics and political science as my options. I was the 1964 batch and was allotted the Tamil Nadu cadre as the state had 10 vacancies. My first posting was as sub-collector Sivakasi – a place known for manufacturing fireworks and printing.
State politics was undergoing a sea change in the 1960s. Chief Minister K Kamaraj was replaced by M Bhakthavatsalam in March 1967. This Congress regime can be reasonably termed fantastic for Tamil Nadu. The DMK started gaining ground slowly by highlighting three issues: imposition of Hindi on the state by the Centre, neglect of Tamil Nadu villages, and the Centre’s apathy towards the downtrodden. Interestingly, these issues have become irrelevant for the party now.
The Dravidian parties have ruled for 40 years. The DMK and AIADMK seemingly diametrically opposed – have actually complemented each other’s agenda. These past four decades are marked by politician-bureaucrat interface. With CN Annadurai as Chief Sivakasi – a place known for manufacturing fireworks and printing.
‘Politicians can cut your
throat without letting
you feel the slightest
pain while they keep
rejoicing in your pain’
State politics was undergoing a sea change in the 1960s. Chief Minister K Kamaraj was replaced by M Bhakthavatsalam in March 1967. This Congress regime can be reasonably termed fantastic for Tamil Nadu. The DMK started gaining ground slowly by highlighting three issues: imposition of Hindi on the state by the Centre, neglect of Tamil Nadu villages, and the Centre’s apathy towards the downtrodden. Interestingly, these issues have become irrelevant for the party now.
The Dravidian parties have ruled for 40 years. The DMK and AIADMK seemingly diametrically opposed – have actually complemented each other’s agenda. These past four decades are marked by politician-bureaucrat interface. With CN Annadurai as Chief
DARING to
DISOBEY
With CN Annadurai as Chief Minister, the DMK performed excellently initially.He provided good leader ship and better governance. Annadurai adored the norms of administration and instructed his Cabinet colleagues and party legislatures not to interfere with the functioning of civil servants. Sadly, this lasted hardly a year. Muthuvel Karunanidhi took over and is currently third terms were a shambles.Corruption and communalism peaked. He inter fered in day-to day administration. But his fourth term was idyllic. In spite of providing good governance, he lost the next election and J Jayalalithaa came to power.In his fifth stint, I see him isolat ed and cornered by all forces.
I recall vividly an incident when President’s Rule was imposed after dismissal of the Karunanidhi government. Mohan Lal Sukharia was Governor. All the Collectors were told to arrest DMK leaders, including its MPs and MLAs. I was posted in Udakamandalam (popularly known as Ooty) and refused to carry out the orders. It was a painful decision to go against the unjust orders.
I visualize this service as totally devoted to improving the life of the people. Every segment of society faces some problem, so the administration should consider welfare in totality. A bureaucrat should essentially be a visionary – thinking day in, day out how to provide innovative input to the political leadership.
‘Paradoxically, 603 collectors throughout the country
have the will to transform India but are not allowed to
do so. There is a flaw in the system. In the judiciary,
there is a unitary pattern. Not so in administration’
My professional trajectory is in no way different from any other civil servant’s. I became the youngest Director in the Industry and Commerce Department, Tamil Nadu, where I encouraged smallscale industries. When I took charge of Madras Port Trust as Chairman, I found it in a poor state. I resolved to make it a vibrant and profitable entity. This required imagination and relentless effort. I created a Container Terminal which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Chief Minister MG Ramachandran. During my stint (1975–78) as Secretary, Industries, I conceptualized a new industrial map for the state and ensured its implementation.
The bureaucracy that hankers for independence from political bosses must perform when given freedom. Yet, the bureaucracy must be guided by the political bosses in decision-making. The officers in the administration who take initiative should not become unwanted. The officer who inspired me most was Chokalingam, who later became Chief Secretary. He was Collector during my first posting as sub-collector at Shivkashi. We clicked from the first meeting. The relationship kept growing and we are still good friends. He was a remarkable administrator.
In 1989, VS Tripathy, my friend and confidant of Mrs Gandhi, called to convey the news that the Congress wanted me to contest the Parliamentary elections. I had seven-and-a-half years’ service left but I resigned. My friends and well-wishers opposed my decision. Former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, my IAS batch-mate, said I was choosing the wrong party. I did not realize what I was getting into. The Congress treated me badly but my friends helped me survive. My experience with politicians is that they can cut your throat without letting you feel the slightest pain while they keep rejoicing in your pain In 1996, I contested the elections from Tenkasi Parliamentary constituency unsuccessfully. The Congress suffered losses throughout the state.
My contribution as an officer, in physical terms, is a modern port in Tamil Nadu.In addition,I provided a modern export processing unit that boosted modernization of the state.With regard to service, I have always helped the downtrodden.
Paradoxically, 603 collectors working under Chief Ministers throughout the country have the will to transform India but are not allowed to do so.There is a flaw in the system.In the judiciary,there is a unitary pattern. But in administra tion,there is no responsibility centred in it. Bureaucrats and politicians keep passing the buck to each other. And the common man suffers eternally for want of justice and equality
