Bureaucrats now on PM Narendra Modi's radar

NEW DELHI: When PM Modi referred to himself an "outsider to Delhi” in his Independence Day speech on Friday, it was largely in context of how differently the bureaucracy worked in the Capital.

Former Cabinet Secretary Naresh Chandra said Modi was on the right track in his effort to introduce greater synergy and efficiency. "In a state, inter-personal contact is continuous and integration is easier. At the Centre coordination becomes difficult as babus take the authority of the minister in charge very seriously. Consensual point of view is very important,” Chandra said. With regard to Modi’s observations of various departments working at cross-purposes, Chandra recalled SC ruling in 1991-92 that no government department will litigate without the consent of the Cabinet Secretary. "I am indeed surprised that it is not working,” he said.

A political commentator observed whatever Modi may do, he would never be able to handle New Delhi babus as he did the ones in Gujarat. "As Gujarat CM, Modi encouraged his babus to practice yoga, making them do uththakbaithak (squats) and Surya Namaskar. This is something he certainly cannot do in Delhi."