Rule bound

One index of how much the work culture has changed under the Narendra Modi-led BJP government is the heightened sense of empowerment among senior bureaucrats. After the prime minister assured them that they could "work without fear" and he will protect them for doing their job, IAS officers who used to be panned for being of "Yes, minister" persuasion have become much more assertive. It is not uncommon to find file notings with a terse comment from the bureaucrat concerned to the effect that "Under the existing rules it is not possible. If the minister so desires he can change the rules".