The State is now administered by the Governor. Bureaucrats run the show. Though the present set up cannot take major policy decisions, it will implement the existing programmes and address to the needs of the public.

What is the expectation of the people from the new dispensation? Will there be a hurdle between the bureaucrats and the common man? Will there be less scope for maladminstration? Deccan Herald placed these questions before a couple of experts and a former bureaucrat.


Common opinion was that the officialdom can serve better in the absence of an elected body. There would be no interference of politicians in public works.

Chiranjeev Singh, retired additional chief secretary, Karnataka.
Administration is a continuous process. No matter whether it is President’s rule or rule by an elected body, administration continues. I don’t think there would be any difference for common people approaching bureaucrats. People need not have to worry. The bureaucracy takes only minor decisions during the president’s rule.

Also, there is a possibility that decisions taken during the President’s rule can be reversed once the elected body was in place. Devaraj Urs, who came to power after President’s rule in 1970s, reversed many decisions taken by the Governor Dharmaveera.

Dr Muzaffar Assadi, Professor of Political Science, Mysore University 
Whenever, politicians rule the State caste plays a prominent role in administration. However, bureaucracy can do away with that. Efficient officers should be given opportunity to do a good job. One good thing about the President’s rule is that there would be no political pressure on bureaucrats. Most of the time officers become corrupt in order to bribe their political heads.

People can meet officials without intervention of people’s representatives. Efficient officers on Central deputation should be called back and their services should be utilised.

Dr Manohar Yadav, Associate Professor, Sociology Unit, ISEC
 It is a testing time for top officials. They should prove their mettle and show that they can do better in the absence of an elected body. I expect them to review some decisions taken by the previous government in its last days in the office. During its rule, favouritism and nepotism had played a major role. The present set up should set right the wrongs done by the previous government.

Prof P S Jayaramu, Department of Political Science, Bangalore University
President’s rule has come as a relief to people, who were fed up with the debate over power transfer. I agree that in the absence of elected body the public don’t enjoy easy access to bureaucracy. But it is good to hear that the Governor has decided to meet the public in Vidhana Soudha three days a week. The governor’s move will have its impact on the officialdom.