SC asks Centre, States to give fixed tenure to bureaucrats

In a path-breaking verdict, the Supreme Court today directed that fixed tenure must be given to bureaucrats whose promotions and transfers be decided by a board to free bureaucracy from clutches of political bosses and put an end to civil servants being shunted out for not toeing their line.
Noting that deterioration of the standards of probity and accountability with civil servants is due to the "political influence", the apex court held that bureaucrats must not function on verbal or oral instructions given by their superiors and political executive as it gives room for "favouritism and corruption" and also defeats the rights guaranteed to the citizens under RTI Act.

Suggesting sweeping reforms in the functioning of bureaucracy, a bench headed by Justice K S Radhakrishnan directed Centre, state governments and Union Territories "to issue appropriate directions to secure providing of minimum tenure of service to various civil servants, within a period of three months".
It said that repeated transfer of officers is against good governance and directed for fixed tenure to make them professional and effective in implementing public policy.
"Repeated shuffling/transfer of the officers is deleterious to good governance. Minimum assured service tenure ensures efficient service delivery and also increased efficiency. They can also prioritize various social and economic measures intended to implement for the poor and marginalized sections of the society," the bench, also comprising P C Ghosh, said in its 47-page judgement.

It also directed setting up of Boards for deciding transfers, postings and disciplinary action for civil servants within a period of three months till Parliament brings in a proper legislation in setting up Civil Services Board(CSB).

"We notice, at present the civil servants are not having stability of tenure, particularly in State Governments where transfers and postings are made frequently, at the whims and fancies of the executive head for political and other considerations and not in public interest," the bench said.
The bench said all communication given to civil servants must be be in written form to protect them "against wrongful and arbitrary pressure exerted by the administrative superiors, political executive, business and other vested interests".

"By acting on oral directions, not recording the same, the rights guaranteed to the citizens under RTI Act, could be defeated. The practice of giving oral directions/instructions by the administrative superiors, political executive etc. would defeat the object and purpose of Act and would give room for favoritism and corruption," it said.