JAAT RESERVATION

Recent announcement of Jaat reservation in OBC by cabinet elicited varied reactions. Jaats are termed as ‘dominant caste’ in North India by noted sociologists like M N Srinivas and have assumed position of ‘bullock capitalists’ in post-green-revolution era. They have, for long, dominated the political arena in state of Haryana where Jaat reservation movement gained utmost momentum in recent times. Recent announcement regarding reservation has also raised some fundamental issues vis-à-vis reservation policy itself. Many have argued about the very notion of reservation and its efficacy in past 65 years. Reservation may be a symbolic victory, but its benefits are likely to be reaped by a small section of the purported beneficiaries. Benefits percolate to the bottom of pyramid in a community too slowly and it might well be a time to reflect upon this policy afresh. Some other rational criterion like ‘economic criteria’ may be pondered upon in a re-engineered model of social empowerment to implement concept of reservation.

LIFE @ HIPA – 2: PROXY WAR in CLASS

There are classes in HIPA from morning to evening on various topics including revenue laws, social laws, rules and regulations and other para-administrative issues. Some of the officer trainees (OTs) find college life hangover too difficult to shed-off and are tempted to bunk classes here too. However, their attempts are deftly foiled by a vigilant Mr Mohinder Singhji who been an astute Qanoongo before his retirement and has been given responsibility of ensuring full attendance in classes. Classroom training is a great opportunity to assimilate many theoretical aspects of administration as well as to interact with other fellow trainees who later become lifelong colleagues in career services. Sometimes training become a bit staid and proxies and counter-proxy measures act as refreshing ingredients of training curricula. Punctuality is the greatest asset of an officer and is one of the crucial factors that makes or breaks the image of an officer. Class-room training is a great opportunity to imbibe this quality which all of the OTs will appreciate.

LIFE @ HIPA - 1: RANA RULES

Haryana Institute of Public Administration or HIPA is the institute for training of Haryana Civil Servants. Preparations for state PCS is also a bit hectic and those who were through HCS exam were drafting plans of making most of the 6 months long HIPA class room training. Enjoying the warmth of quilts in December cold was one of the key items on 'Chilling-out-at-HIPA-plan' of trainee officers. Their worst nightmares came true when they learned that they will have to do compulsory PT @ 6 am in the morning in the biting cold (which  was relaxed to 7 am amid heavy protests). PT instructor Mr Rana was formerly at LBSNAA Massouri whom our DG brought to HIPA to make Haryanvi officers look more like 'officers'. Its been almost 2 months in training and everyone now appreciate that physical fitness for an officer is as important as professional competence as it increases efficiency manifolds and imparts smartness in an officer. Given the growing hectic work-culture in government offices and increasing life-style diseases, morning PT can be a good stress buster and a great fitness tool. Inculcating this habit early in career will surely pay huge dividends towards the fag end of the career as well as life.

AGONY of A CS ASPIRANT

Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by UPSC is gateway to the elite government services in India. Three years back, UPSC introduced comprehensive changes in the scheme of CSE preliminary examination. Many students demanded that since changes were comprehensive, they be given relaxation in terms of age and attempts as was done on earlier occasions also. UPSC on the other hand reasoned that 4 attempts are more than it would like to allow and various committees had already argued in favor of reducing number of attempts and age limit. Unlike other entrance examinations, CSE follows a painfully protracted process and traps the aspirants into a vicious cycle of preparation which ends only after 4 grueling attempts are exhausted and 5 precious years of life are gone. Worse, as the age of the aspirant ripens, the unsuccessful aspirant finds himself or herself in a pitiable position where other career prospects also become bleak. On the other hand, given the growing loss of moral values in civil services, UPSC might be rightly thinking of promoting younger minds by reducing age limit and number of attempts as young minds are more amenable to be moulded in a desired moral frame. However, it must also be ensured that those coming from rural backgrounds are not put in a disadvantaged position as they are the ones who face an acute awareness deficit in terms of career prospects and tightening the eligibility norms may further handicap their chances.