Editor,
In the news item “Government in no hurry to name next CS” (ST 6th May 2014) it was reported that the Chief Minister is reluctant to appoint a certain ‘straight-forward’ and ‘upright’ official as the next Chief Secretary of the state. The report may be insignificant to many; several might even have missed the paragraph within the news item. I, however, feel that the report is significant since it indicates the way we are being governed now and possibly in the near future. Though what is reported is speculative, however, the extension of service of the sitting Chief Secretary on grounds which are entirely unjustified would signify that the next senior person in line is not the preferred choice of the Chief Minister to head the topmost post in the bureaucracy mainly because the person is known to be “upright.” Other members in the Cabinet would naturally toe the line as always. To me an “upright” person is one who adheres to rectitude which includes being righteous, honest and just. Hence being “straightforward” and “upright” are excellent attributes in any individual. Any well meaning organization anywhere in the world would prefer to have such an individual within their fold.
The opposite of being upright is to be flexible. This means the ability to stretch and bend up to the point of being meek and pliable to suit the convenience of those in authority, regardless of the adverse consequences on the majority. No doubt intellectual prowess is a pre-requisite. In this particular instance I cannot imagine that the present Acting CS is lacking in that. Moreover, there are certain services in the government which demand the highest quality control before one is absorbed into them. Hence to make any late negative judgment now would not only be an offence to the fine standards that the service professes to uphold but it will be an offence to other members of the service as well. It is a travesty of justice if one is deprived of one’s right to reach a certain point in the service which one deserves, more so in government service, regardless of the grade. In fact, the possibility of reaching the top or being barred from this opportunity would depend more than anything else on the integrity and character of a person. Therefore it makes me wonder why our elected leaders should be averse to having an “upright ” and “straightforward” individual as the top bureaucrat unless they have other preferred qualities which would suit their intentions better. Hopefully, what is speculated may not come true; otherwise, it would make many to conclude that those who are party to an unexpected decision are not upright or straightforward themselves. But then our leaders sometimes have strange logic and since those will ultimately shape our destiny, which may not be what we aspire for, we have every reason to be concerned. After all, our leaders always believe they are honourable men and women. Therefore we who are considered ignominious in their eyes are not to reason why even if we have to bear a Brutus stab in the end. I conclude with an extract from William Shakespeare’s play “Julius Caesar” where Mark Antony while in mourning at the Forum asserted publicly – ‘Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up/To such a sudden flood of mutiny/ They that have done this deed are honourable/ What private griefs they have, alas, I know not/ That made them do it: they are wise and honourable/ And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you.’
Be patient till the last?
Yours etc.
KL Tariang,
Via email
