MLAs that went to receive President Droupadi Murmu at the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun are reported to be miffed that they were taken in a humble bus to where she was being welcomed. On the other hand, certain officials drove up there in their cars. Such a breach of privilege!
Not a day passes when such complaints are not heard from legislators and other public representatives about the ‘arrogant’ behaviour of civil servants of various categories. Some of these are very probably justified but mostly these seem to be rooted in a false and misplaced sense of importance among the elected representatives. And it is undeniably rooted in the feudal mindset of society in general. Also, in the lack of understanding of the constitutional structure of government. It is not very complicated but there is need to understand the system in which there is a distinction between the executive and legislative responsibilities of elected MLAs and MPs. As members of the Council of Ministers they head their various departments and exercise executive powers. However, fundamentally, the legislators represent the general public and need to be as close as possible to their lived reality. As such, they should steer clear of as many ‘special arrangements’ that distance them from this reality. Certainly, if they wish to be elected again! It is true that there are some security concerns which require police protection and such like, but it should not be considered a status symbol. Unfortunately, that is the existing culture and the category of protection provided is treated as a rank in the pecking order.
In the case of the Jolly Grant Airport incident, for instance, being transported in a bus was for their convenience and comfort, so that there is no crowding or unnecessary presence of their staff. On the other hand, officials on duty delegated to deal with predictable and unpredictable situations need to be as proximate to their vehicles as possible for quick response. Imagine the DM or SSP having to run to their cars in the parking lot if they need to move quickly!
Another type of complaint is that officials do not receive the calls of legislators with sufficient alacrity. This ignores the fact that the official may be performing his or her duty in accordance with his responsibilities. It is similar to asking a doctor to respond while performing surgery. Legislators indeed have many powers, but they should recognise what these are and use them in the right way at the right time and in the right place!
