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Crusader or Conspirator? Coalgate and Other Truths
In 2012, a controversy over allocation of coal
blocks to private companies rocked the country. The government's finance
watchdog- the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) - found the government had picked
favourites and avoided open and competitive bidding which would have generated
far more revenue for a cash-starved state. The CAG concluded that India had
lost ` 1.861akh crore (over $ 30 billion) in the
process, all of which went to the private companies. It was the biggest
recorded seam in the history of India.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI),
India's premier investigation agency, then filed an FIR against the top officer
in the coal ministry-Secretary PC Parakh and industrialist Kumar Mangalam
Birla. Parakh had by then earned a fine reputation for ability and integrity in
over three decades. as a civil servant. His stint as the top bureaucrat in the
coal ministry was his last posting in a sterling career. The FIR outraged the
civil services and corporate India and was widely condemned by the
intelligentsia of the country.
The book isn't just about the coal seam. It is
also about working with some of the biggest Indian politicians, starting with
chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh. It is about life in the coal ministry with
Mamata Banerjee, Shibu Soren and Dr. Manmohan Singh, who was also the Prime
Minister. It is about the lessons learnt before Parakh met any of these
dignitaries. It is an account that startles with never-before revealed information.
About the Author
PC
- GenresIndiaPoliticsNonfiction
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
16 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 18, 2014
I was a fan of Mr Parakh even before I had read this book for the sheer courage he had displayed against an agency that is running riot on the back of judicial protection. This makes me a greater fan. One could relate to whatever that has been so succinctly narrated. It clearly brings out how difficult is it to be honest yet deliver. Had he been only honest and not bothered about delivering, he wouldn't have faced the music that he did. His desire to deliver even in the vitiated environment landed him in trouble, repeatedly. However, he never gave up or gave in. Truly inspirational and worthy of emulation.
What is even more remarkable about the book is that it is extremely well researched. It doesn't merely provide an analyses of the malaise that has set in. It also suggests a prescription that is eminently implementable.
A must read for all the bureaucrats and those that revel in only finding faults with the bureaucracy.
What is even more remarkable about the book is that it is extremely well researched. It doesn't merely provide an analyses of the malaise that has set in. It also suggests a prescription that is eminently implementable.
A must read for all the bureaucrats and those that revel in only finding faults with the bureaucracy.
March 30, 2020
I will take this opportunity to congratulate the author that he has produced a succinct narrative of his career which goes on to provide invaluable insights on a life of a civil servant. It is a short and informative read which will enthrall you with the whispers of the power corridors
I believe that there another clarification is due here. In last few years, civil society groups and media houses have gone extraordinary lengths to highlight maladministration in the country. Maladministration directly associates itself with the failure of steel frame of our country and which should definitely be a subject of public scrutiny but there is a catch here. The executive structure of our country is such that it is shared by people's elected representatives and selected representatives. In elections, we vote to elect legislators and only few of them become ministers. These ministers are referred to as politico-executives. Cabinet secretary is the head of civil services in the country while chief secretary is the head of civil services in a state or UT. Bureaucrats, which includes secretaries, collectors, commissioners, Directors/MDs of PSUs and many other such positions are generally responsible for carrying out the decisions taken by the political executives. Author has highlighted this issue that civil servants are disproportionately blamed for maladministration because at best, they can record their recommendation in writing but cannot prevent a wrong or unsound decision from being taken
Central civil services conduct rules are is the code which a civil servant is expected to abide by. These rules envision a free, fair and just bureaucracy with no political leanings and which is hell bent to advise, to their best of abilities, to the ruling dispensation at any given point of time. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel stated that without an honest civil servant, raising his or her voice at the right time without any prejudice, in the interest of larger public is a pre-requisite for an efficient political system. Unfortunately, no such code of conducts exist for people's representative in our nation. As per the recommendations of Vohra committee, Rajya sabha established a parliamentary committee on ethics on 1997 but it still leaves a lot of room for improvement. Code of conduct would have been more powerful because it leaves less to discretion and is more prescriptive than aspirational. It is not a concept that is unheard of. In UK, from where we have borrowed the whole political system, has a written code of conduct for the ministers, salutary provision of which is that it prohibits a minister from asking a civil servant from violating any provision of civil servant's code of conduct. Punitive transfers and untenable suspensions have become norm of the day which has not only discouraged the existing bureaucratic force but has also set a very bad precedent for the posterity
Excellent recommendations have been made by the author in conclusion regarding how can political class and bureaucracy can collaborate for the betterment of the country and it'll be an excellent read for you to enhance your understanding of Indian political system
" A good constitution cannot be a substitute for good leaders and personnel"- Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel
I believe that there another clarification is due here. In last few years, civil society groups and media houses have gone extraordinary lengths to highlight maladministration in the country. Maladministration directly associates itself with the failure of steel frame of our country and which should definitely be a subject of public scrutiny but there is a catch here. The executive structure of our country is such that it is shared by people's elected representatives and selected representatives. In elections, we vote to elect legislators and only few of them become ministers. These ministers are referred to as politico-executives. Cabinet secretary is the head of civil services in the country while chief secretary is the head of civil services in a state or UT. Bureaucrats, which includes secretaries, collectors, commissioners, Directors/MDs of PSUs and many other such positions are generally responsible for carrying out the decisions taken by the political executives. Author has highlighted this issue that civil servants are disproportionately blamed for maladministration because at best, they can record their recommendation in writing but cannot prevent a wrong or unsound decision from being taken
Central civil services conduct rules are is the code which a civil servant is expected to abide by. These rules envision a free, fair and just bureaucracy with no political leanings and which is hell bent to advise, to their best of abilities, to the ruling dispensation at any given point of time. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel stated that without an honest civil servant, raising his or her voice at the right time without any prejudice, in the interest of larger public is a pre-requisite for an efficient political system. Unfortunately, no such code of conducts exist for people's representative in our nation. As per the recommendations of Vohra committee, Rajya sabha established a parliamentary committee on ethics on 1997 but it still leaves a lot of room for improvement. Code of conduct would have been more powerful because it leaves less to discretion and is more prescriptive than aspirational. It is not a concept that is unheard of. In UK, from where we have borrowed the whole political system, has a written code of conduct for the ministers, salutary provision of which is that it prohibits a minister from asking a civil servant from violating any provision of civil servant's code of conduct. Punitive transfers and untenable suspensions have become norm of the day which has not only discouraged the existing bureaucratic force but has also set a very bad precedent for the posterity
Excellent recommendations have been made by the author in conclusion regarding how can political class and bureaucracy can collaborate for the betterment of the country and it'll be an excellent read for you to enhance your understanding of Indian political system
" A good constitution cannot be a substitute for good leaders and personnel"- Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel
July 19, 2016
This book released alongside the Indian general elections, creating a general view that the book attempted to leverage the Coal scam. In reality, this book is not about the infamous Coal scam, though of course the incident is covered in reasonable detail.
The author is a senior bureaucrat, who rose through the ranks to work on several important administrative positions. The book summarizes his journey through his career.
The strong point of the book is that it is very straight forward and the words are not minced. The author has named all actors related to the incidents he covers. These include political leaders of all vintage, Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, central and state ministers and other bureaucrats. The author has not hesitated from crediting other bureaucrats as well - peer group recognition tends to be a rarity in biographical texts.
Personally however, I thought the book was put together hastily with respect to target release date. The author's experience outside of the Coal scam has been covered in a very sketchy and expedient manner. Also the ending of the book, which is about administrative reforms made for a heavy read.
Overall, the book reiterates messages around civil service decadence thanks to Indian Prime Ministers 50s through 70s. The book further provides evidence that the 1970-1985 period was the worst for Indian institutions and politics.
After completing the text, I was left with an incomplete feeling. What's there is great, but you can't help but think there's a lot missing.
The author is a senior bureaucrat, who rose through the ranks to work on several important administrative positions. The book summarizes his journey through his career.
The strong point of the book is that it is very straight forward and the words are not minced. The author has named all actors related to the incidents he covers. These include political leaders of all vintage, Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, central and state ministers and other bureaucrats. The author has not hesitated from crediting other bureaucrats as well - peer group recognition tends to be a rarity in biographical texts.
Personally however, I thought the book was put together hastily with respect to target release date. The author's experience outside of the Coal scam has been covered in a very sketchy and expedient manner. Also the ending of the book, which is about administrative reforms made for a heavy read.
Overall, the book reiterates messages around civil service decadence thanks to Indian Prime Ministers 50s through 70s. The book further provides evidence that the 1970-1985 period was the worst for Indian institutions and politics.
After completing the text, I was left with an incomplete feeling. What's there is great, but you can't help but think there's a lot missing.
May 19, 2014
"Irrespective of its nature - democratic,socialist,capitalist,autocratic or imperialist,the only tool available to the state to implement its policies is its civil service.The efficiency,commitment,honesty and discipline of the civil service will determine the efficacy of governance."
September 5, 2021
Not very intersting.
January 17, 2015
A brief account on the COALGATE
P.C Parakh's 'Crusader or Conspirator' is an example of how the civil servants/Public enterprise managers are bullied by the politicians in India.Parakh fought hard for the big ticket reforms in Coal ministry like Commercial mining, Allocation of coal blocks thru open bids & Emarketing of coal. He briefs how coal mafia has influenced every decision that were to be taken. Parakh has also got few suggestions for the future civil servants. A very good read!
March 25, 2016
It seems that author trying to portray himself as the most honest person and put the onus of all wrong deeds on other people..book has been divided into very short chapters, without any depth..while reading book one feels that author lack proper articulation..overall one can avoid reading this book.. For civil services aspirant last chapters on honesty, integrity, some case studies may be useful..
June 26, 2015
a very good description of life of a civil servant and the struggles he faces during his job. Also the author comes out as a very honest and dedicated civil servant through his narration. it also reflects upon the descendants that had set in the public life of the country and the need for vigil if democracy is to be saved in the country.
overall a very nice read.
overall a very nice read.
April 23, 2014
Highly instructive read. First-hand account into how degraded and decayed the annals of power have become in India. P. C. Parakh's contribution to India is enormous and inspiring.
November 4, 2014
Precisely written TRUTH
March 13, 2016
This kind of book is a welcome step from the retired officers who share their work experience and provide insider view of the working culture of government institutions!!!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews