The Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion on the reflections on governance, inspired by the book “As Good as My Word” authored by Sri K M Chandrasekhar, former Cabinet Secretary, Government of India. The event took place at the ASCI Bella Vista Campus on July 19, 2023, at 4 PM.
The esteemed panel comprised of Sri K M Chandrasekhar, IAS (Retd), former Cabinet Secretary, Government of India; Sri K Padmanabhaiah, IAS (Retd), Chairman, Court of Governors, ASCI and former Home Secretary, Government of India; Dr (Smt) Shantha Sinha, former Chairperson, National Child Protection and Child Rights; and Dr Jaya Prakash Narayana, IAS (Retd), Founder, Foundation for Democratic Reforms.
The program commenced with Dr Nirmalya Bagchi, DG (i/c) of ASCI, introducing the distinguished guests. Sri K Padmanabhaiah, IAS (Retd), served as the moderator for the panel discussion. The book, “As Good as My Word,” draws on Sri K M Chandrasekhar’s extensive experience in various capacities as a civil servant.
Sri Chandrasekhar, in his address, highlighted the wide range of opportunities available within the Civil Services and the importance of embracing risk-taking. He emphasized that accomplishments and achievements are products of teamwork, with leaders guiding their teams towards success.
“As Good as My Word” offers a candid account of the triumphs and setbacks of a civil servant who navigated through challenging areas of public life. The book provides an insider’s view of Indian politics and bureaucracy during Sri Chandrasekhar’s tenure, featuring candid discussions on topics such as democracy, decentralization, corruption, the role of the Controller and Auditor General, and institution-building.
During the discussion, Sri Chandrasekhar expressed concern regarding the role of the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG), citing instances of policy paralysis caused by the “fault-finding mission” and the theory of “presumptive losses.” He cautioned against the potential erosion of the institution’s credibility resulting from the high publicity value given to the “dramatic findings” of the CAG’s report on spectrum allocation.
The panelists also delved into critical aspects of governance. Sri Chandrasekhar highlighted the significance of the Result Framework Document for achieving desired outcomes. He stressed that India’s unity is maintained through its diverse constitutional framework and robust democracy, which he referred to as the “Steel Frame.”
Sri K Padmanabhaiah recalled the successful implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) system during his tenure, which greatly contributed to the turnaround of various Public Sector Undertakings. He cited the example of Telangana Chief Minister Sri K Chandrasekhar Rao’s questioning of why the Prime Minister of India should control the Grameen Sadak Yojana instead of local governments.
Dr Jaya Prakash Narayana discussed the systematic failures within the Indian governance structure, highlighting the excessive centralization compared to countries like China. He expressed concerns about the state of democracy in India, where elections are reduced to mere voting exercises. Dr Narayana also stressed the need for a reformed electoral system to address the influence of money and power in politics.
Dr Shantha Sinha shed light on the essence of the book, which explores India’s democracy and the role of civil servants. She read excerpts from the book, highlighting the significance of civil services in the country.
The panel discussion concluded with an interactive question and answer session, where the esteemed panelists addressed queries from the audience. Sri Padmanabhaiah presented mementos to Sri Chandrasekhar, Dr Jaya Prakash Narayan, and Dr Shantha Sinha as a gesture of appreciation.
Dr Subodh Kandamuthan delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all the panelists, attendees, and organizers for their valuable contributions, making the event a resounding success.
