General Studies- II: Governance, Constitution, Polity [15 Marks 250 Words ]

Answer Structure:

• Introduction: No precise definition of relationship between the Ministers and the Civil Servants 
• Body: Broad parameters of the relationship
• Conclusion: Ministers and the Civil Servants are more than mere major players of government

Answer

Introduction

The relationship between the Ministers and the Civil Servants in a parliamentary democracy such as ours is not amenable to any precise definition. 

Body 

However, some of the broad parameters of the relationship could be summed up as follows:

(i) Formulation of policy of the Government is the legitimate task of the Minister. At the stage of formulation of policy, the civil servant is expected to give his free and frank advice but once the Minister, after giving due consideration to advice of the civil servant, gives the policy a final shape, it is the duty of the civil servant to carry out the policy diligently and faithfully though he may be having his own views about the soundness of the policy. 

(ii) The preservation of integrity, fearlessness and independence of the civil servant is an essential condition of a sound parliamentary system of Government. One of the important functions of the civil service is to „speak truth to power‟, as once asserted by a head of the Canadian Public Service.

(iii) There must be trust and mutual respect between the Minister and the Civil Servant as without them unity of action in the higher echelons of government will be difficult to achieve. 

(iv) Both the Minister and the Civil Servant must perform their roles in accordance with the Constitution and the laws as even a minor transgression thereof can ultimately be subversive of good governance and rule of law. 

Conclusion

In our country, the Ministers and the Civil Servants are more than mere major players of government. “They are the custodian of a nation‟s ideals, of the belief it cherishes, of its permanent hopes, of the faith which makes the nation out of a mere aggregation of individuals”. 

(The model answer provided by us strictly follows the word limit, the above answer is compiled in 287 words.)

Practicing answers sticking to the word limit will aid the aspirants to write answers precisely and to the point avoiding unnecessary things. 

(Titles :  introduction, body and conclusion are just for reference, aspirants should not write these titles in the answer sheet.)