Result-oriented bureaucracy

Like most of India, central government officials, too, are eagerly awaiting the results of the Assembly polls on December 8. Since these results are considered a proxy for the outcome of next year's general elections, work has all but come to a standstill in government. Once the results are in, bureaucrats think they will be in a better position to judge whether the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) will be returning to power at the Centre. As one of them explained, "If the results in the states show a lead for the UPA, work will be resumed."