This reminds me of a Commissioner of Customs & Central Excise department, who used to be extremely honest.

This example pertains to an IRS officer, but equally valid for IAS/IPS officers as well.

He was so honest that even as a Commissioner, he would not use his government vehicle for any personal work.

He used to fetch vegetables and other groceries by riding his own old scooter.

In short, he was an epitome of honesty.

However, he was not willing to take any responsibility.

I remember a specific case when he was the Commissioner of Customs, and Annual General Transfer (AGT) Order was to be issued.

His junior had prepared the list on the direction of the Chief Commissioner (who had the reputation of being extremely corrupt) and it contained the names of many corrupt officers for important assignments even against the policy.

Hence, the association of officers met him and asked him to post the offices according to merit and integrity, rather than posting corrupt officers in important charges.

He told them very bluntly that he won’t be able to do anything because these people were the ‘men’ of Chief Commissioner.

And finally the order was issued with his approval (in the file) according to the wishes of the Chief Commissioner and many corrupt officers got sensitive postings.

He did not have the guts to even write dissent notes or reject the names suggested by the Chief Commissioner.

In my opinion, his honesty was nothing but a shield of cowardice.

These officers are the most useless officers of the government.

However, this story is not complete unless I mention you the story of his successor Commissioner, who was not as copybook honest, but was quite professional.

The same Chief Commissioner (CC) tried to play the same trick with him and asked him to post many corrupt officers in the important charges.

The new Commissioner told him clearly that he can’t accept such request verbally. He told the CC to recommend the names in writing.

The CC then recommended the names of officers in writing grudgingly.

When the recommendation was received by the Commissioner he wrote: “Considered the recommendation of CC. REJECTED.”

This became the talk of the town (department) and the CC never dared to mess with this Commissioner.

-Awdhesh Singh

Read more here : Don't Abandon Your Dreams