:: Dilip Cherian

A civil trend

By Dilip Cherian

Jun 07 : Will an improving economic situation reverse the new trend of corporates turning to civil services? According to babu-watchers, there has been a 45 per cent rise in the number of applicants for the civil service entrance exams this year, ending a three-year declining trend. The United Public Sevice Commission (UPSC) reports 4.5 lakh IAS aspirants this year compared to 3.25 lakh in 2008. In fact, driven by the gloomy outlook in the private sector, many young employees working in corporates are now queuing up to join the civil service. Many prefer a "safe" sarkari naukri than possible layoffs and salary freezes in the recession-hit corporate world. Moreover, the recent pay hike for government babus under the Sixth Pay Commission has made babugiri more attractive.

The government too is in hiring mode, having recently doubled the number of UPSC jobs. In 2007, the intake was 425, which rose to 881 in 2008. Moreover, the government is now open to outside experts filling vacancies at the Planning Commission, Competition Commission and such bodies. It helps that corporate professionals too have been open to joining government organisations in search of a secure job. Interestingly, many IAS aspirants are from rural areas. While the trend may change once the corporate sector revives, for now at least being a babu is "cool"!

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When Babus toil

After reaping a rich electoral harvest with his development plank, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has decided to go full tilt against slackers in government. Consequently, the state’s once notoriously dysfunctional babus are now toiling away to complete tasks and meet deadlines. And, sources say, Nitish’s "zero-tolerance" policy towards errant babus has ushered in a new work culture in the state, even if Indian babus rank among the "worst" in Asia, as pointed out in a recent survey.

Mr Nitish Kumar has become the envy of many chief ministers who feel they’ve been let down by their babus. Although state chief secretary R.J. Mohan Pillai is personally overseeing that the various education, road, health, flood control and rural development projects are on track, it is not unusual for even district-level babus to receive a call from the chief minister’s residence enquiring about the status of their projects. The main secretariat is humming with activity. The "makeover" is all the more impressive considering that Bihar faces an acute shortage of IAS officers. Out of the cadre-strength of 326 officers, 44 are already on central deputation and 105 IAS posts are unoccupied. Will Mr Nitish Kumar solve this issue now?