I share nuggets of my conversation with him— his views about important political events, including Rahul Gandhi's ordinance-tearing incident of 2013 & what the PM Dr Manmohan Singh ought to have done.
I have shared my autobiography with you via email. Surjit Singh Puri had created the post of Deputy Secretary ( Coordination) and he appointed me on that post. It included the charge of Vigilance. Vigilance Bureau sent two cases for sanction of prosecution. I wrote notes opposing the sanction because of lack of proof. The Chief Secretary agreed with my notes and forwarded the files to the Chief Minister. Manohar Singh Gill was the Principal Secretary to the CM. He called me to his room and rebuked me. I told him that my view on the cases was endorsed by the CS and he should talk to him. I also told him that I was not a sycophant or a subservient to a politician. He was surprised by my reply. My ACR was graded Outstanding by my Minister but Manohar Singh Gill got it downgraded as Very Good by Chief Minister, Prakash Singh Badal.
Had he been vindictive, he might have made it "adverse" or "below average". The fact is that all of us want to be graded as "outstanding"....if that's so, by definition, we are all average. There is no concept of a Gaussian Distribution Curve in recording ACRs in Government.
Last but not the least, did this hurt your career progression as a PCS officer......in your promotion to the IAS?
Let go the grudge, sir, even if is justifiable from your perspective..... that you still carry it, worries me.
Towering personality. Many years ago , I saw and heard him being interviewed by Najam Sethi on Pakistani show , where he extensively spoke about new voting machine India had just introduced and about independence of election commision. Najam was demonstrating the stark contrast of Pakistan and Indian electoral system. A great loss for Punjab and India. I am sure you will always want to own and proud association you had with him through your professional and personal interactions. May waheguru provide peace to his soul which he so richly deserves.
Sir: Accusing someone when they are not there to defend themselves is a very cowardly act.
Perhaps , you will appreciate and allow me to discard your narrative.
You are entitled for your opinion , though , I do feel that it is in poor taste more so when he is no more . You sound like trying to get some ink for your book for yourself.
It happens in bureaucratic functioning.ACR was the only deterrent to calling a spade a spade. Both plus and minus angles to it. If you’re polite and polished enough in your speech and demeanor, it would save nine.
Secretary and the Minister know the performance of a subordinate and then grade him accordingly. The CM doesn’t know the officer but the ACR goes to him for his formal signature. His Principal Secretary “ advises” him. He can take revenge which is not calling a spade a spade. I never worked under him throughout my career.
Not in the context of your experience, but I can dare submit that having worked with a number of Chief Ministers in my career, the CMs often know more about the officers than we realise.
Moreover, it is not a formal signature, else it wouldn't exist. He's the third tier, the "Accepting Authority". in GOI....it's the Secretary and the Minister alone...the Cabinet Secretary or the PM is not in picture for officers of Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary Rank.
Also, the CM can be the moderating force, where a biased Secretary or a Minister has recorded an "adverse" comment for an officer, who is otherwise very good.
Very interesting article about a formidable bureaucratic and political figure of Punjab and India. His ‘Apni Mandi’ initiative was a boon for the vegetable and fruit growers and the common consumer!
I have shared my autobiography with you via email. Surjit Singh Puri had created the post of Deputy Secretary ( Coordination) and he appointed me on that post. It included the charge of Vigilance. Vigilance Bureau sent two cases for sanction of prosecution. I wrote notes opposing the sanction because of lack of proof. The Chief Secretary agreed with my notes and forwarded the files to the Chief Minister. Manohar Singh Gill was the Principal Secretary to the CM. He called me to his room and rebuked me. I told him that my view on the cases was endorsed by the CS and he should talk to him. I also told him that I was not a sycophant or a subservient to a politician. He was surprised by my reply. My ACR was graded Outstanding by my Minister but Manohar Singh Gill got it downgraded as Very Good by Chief Minister, Prakash Singh Badal.
Had he been vindictive, he might have made it "adverse" or "below average". The fact is that all of us want to be graded as "outstanding"....if that's so, by definition, we are all average. There is no concept of a Gaussian Distribution Curve in recording ACRs in Government.
Last but not the least, did this hurt your career progression as a PCS officer......in your promotion to the IAS?
Let go the grudge, sir, even if is justifiable from your perspective..... that you still carry it, worries me.
Towering personality. Many years ago , I saw and heard him being interviewed by Najam Sethi on Pakistani show , where he extensively spoke about new voting machine India had just introduced and about independence of election commision. Najam was demonstrating the stark contrast of Pakistan and Indian electoral system. A great loss for Punjab and India. I am sure you will always want to own and proud association you had with him through your professional and personal interactions. May waheguru provide peace to his soul which he so richly deserves.
Please read my comments and decide whether he was really a towering personality.
Sir: Accusing someone when they are not there to defend themselves is a very cowardly act.
Perhaps , you will appreciate and allow me to discard your narrative.
You are entitled for your opinion , though , I do feel that it is in poor taste more so when he is no more . You sound like trying to get some ink for your book for yourself.
My $0.02
Good day Sir !
It happens in bureaucratic functioning.ACR was the only deterrent to calling a spade a spade. Both plus and minus angles to it. If you’re polite and polished enough in your speech and demeanor, it would save nine.
Secretary and the Minister know the performance of a subordinate and then grade him accordingly. The CM doesn’t know the officer but the ACR goes to him for his formal signature. His Principal Secretary “ advises” him. He can take revenge which is not calling a spade a spade. I never worked under him throughout my career.
Not in the context of your experience, but I can dare submit that having worked with a number of Chief Ministers in my career, the CMs often know more about the officers than we realise.
Moreover, it is not a formal signature, else it wouldn't exist. He's the third tier, the "Accepting Authority". in GOI....it's the Secretary and the Minister alone...the Cabinet Secretary or the PM is not in picture for officers of Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary Rank.
Also, the CM can be the moderating force, where a biased Secretary or a Minister has recorded an "adverse" comment for an officer, who is otherwise very good.
Very interesting article about a formidable bureaucratic and political figure of Punjab and India. His ‘Apni Mandi’ initiative was a boon for the vegetable and fruit growers and the common consumer!
Yes. Will add that bit..in the updated version.