In a recent tragic incident involving late Assistant Sub Inspector Dilip Shirke and Senior Inspector Vilas Joshi it has been observed that the state government has failed to keep a tab on the health of the policemen. Shirke committed suicide after firing three rounds at Joshi. He had reportedly had a heated argument with Joshi. There is no counseling and periodic peer review as most of the cops are undergoing depression. Mr Shirke had misbehaved and there was not system in place to instill discipline in him. Very few culprits are awarded punishment due to snail paced judicial system prevalent in our country. The police force are already grappling with manpower shortage and their workload has increased manifold due to recurring security threats. Many of them are working overtime as they are expected to provide security to people. Most of them are denied leave and also have to work during festivals.
A team of experienced retired officers should be formed who will visit the families of policemen periodically and report to police commissioner if they find anything wrong with their behaviour. Our IAS and IPS officers already enjoy very secure service conditions. There is no need to provide them with more security without creating a system of their performance evaluation.
The corrupt bureaucrat- politician nexus is well known and then we are sending signals to them almost saying “ don’t worry, we will not look at you”. The boys and girls are studying for IAS , IPS, PCS examinations furiously mugging the lessons in the hope of securing a super secure “sarkari naukri”. If IAS, IPS, PCS officers work well, they need not fear. Infact, strict instructions must be given to MPs, MLAs and their secretaries to refrain from interfering in administration work of bureaucrats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already cautioned that political interference will destroy the system. He said that “good governance” requires accountability, responsibility and transparency.
Our government is not taking these steps and instead are telling the officers, “Aap kutch bhi karo hum aapko kutch nahin kahenge.” They are indulging in these acts to lure the officials for votes. I am almost tired of pleading that no one will be selected to these services unless they perform a certain quantum of National Service. I am not criticizing our civil service officers but these steps are necessary to put them through regular training and evaluation. All of them may not be as virtuous as we may think.