Bureaucrats dabbling in politics

What is noticeable in this matter is that, those bureaucrats who in the fag end of their tenure are the ones that are indulging in politics by making use of their position and the weight of their office. The worrisome aspect is the way visits to potential constituencies are being organised under the pretence of official tours - one wrong carried out under another duplicitous act. What is inexcusable is that, these government servants, to establish a future political platform, use not only their own office but also their influence on other colleagues in the administration to invest in their constituencies out of turn. This inevitably results in resources being diverted from priority areas to areas of lesser importance; such acts are culpable offences deserving of severe punishment.

That this has continued in spite of the opposition from members within the ruling alliance exposes the connivance of the ruling party in what can only be termed as illegal as well as immoral activity of some bureaucrats.

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However, this is not a recent phenomenon, and we understand that there is a general sense of aversion among the political parties to what some bureaucrats are indulging in to set up political career post retirement. Keeping in mind that a general election is round the corner, we suggest that the political parties come together to enact appropriate laws in the parliament to put a bar, on the civil servants, as well as generals and equivalent in the armed forces participating in politics for a period of at least three years after retirement, or on their participation in the election that will be held immediately after his or her retirement, whichever is longer.

If that is not done, the government offices and public money will continue to be abused and misused, which will not only set bad examples, rewarding these bureaucrats with a nomination or a ministerial post will provide justification for indulging in the immoral and illegal actions in future also.