Why in News?

• In Solapur, a case was registered against an NCP leader and others for obstructing officials during an anti-illegal excavation drive

• The issue escalated after a viral video showed the Deputy CM of Maharashtra rebuking IPS officer Anjana Krishna on phone

  • Raised concerns of political interference in administration

What is Political Interference?

• Undue influence by elected representatives or party workers in the functioning of civil servants

  • Undermines impartiality

  • Weakens rule of law

  • Affects merit-based decision-making

Features of Political Interference

• Undue Pressure

  • Politicians push to stop raids

  • Dilute action

  • Influence enforcement

• Patronage Networks

  • Postings, contracts, and schemes tied to party loyalty

• Erosion of Neutrality

  • Officials seen as serving ruling parties instead of the Constitution

• Short-Termism

  • Populist orders such as loan waivers or illegal permissions for electoral gains

• Weak Accountability

  • Blame shifted between ministers and officers

  • No one held responsible

Ethical Issues Involved

• Violation of Constitutional Morality

  • Goes against equality before law (Article 14)

• Conflict of Interest

  • Politicians balance public duty vs. party or personal interests

• Erosion of Public Trust

  • Citizens lose faith in fairness of governance

• Demoralisation of Officers

  • Honest officers face humiliation, threats, or transfers

• Gender and Respect Concerns

  • Disrespect toward women officers harms dignity and ethics

• 2nd ARC Note

  • Biggest threat to probity is politicisation of the civil service

Philosophical Views

• Plato

  • Rulers should act with wisdom and justice

  • Political bias is the opposite

• Aristotle

  • Law must rule, not personal whims

  • Interference weakens institutions

• Kant

  • Duty and moral law must guide actions

  • Political pressure violates public duty

• Max Weber

  • Bureaucracy must be neutral and rational

  • Interference turns it partisan

Challenges in Tackling Interference

• No strong legal safeguards for officers against oral or illegal orders

• Transfer Culture

  • Frequent transfers (less than 16 months on average)

• Weak Civil Services Boards

  • Lack independence

• No enforceable code of ethics for legislators

• Culture of silence among officers

  • Fear of reprisals

Way Forward

• Ensure fixed tenure for officers and strengthen Civil Services Boards

• Provide legal backing through stronger Conduct Rules and statutory protection

• Introduce a code of ethics for politicians to uphold constitutional values

• Create independent grievance redressal for officers to report interference

• Train officers in ethical leadership and conflict resolution

• Encourage media and citizen vigilance for accountability

Conclusion

• Political interference damages neutrality, fairness, and constitutional morality

• Reforms, legal safeguards, and ethical leadership are needed to protect dignity of public service

• Only when politics respects administration can democracy ensure justice and probity