The Hindu Business Line : Not done, Governor!

THE Bihar Governor, Mr Rama Jois, has transgressed the bounds of the sacred traditions of his office, as indeed common human decency, by castigating publicly and in strong terms on as solemn an occasion as the celebration of the Republic Day the Government of the State of which he himself is the head. (The only metaphorical parallel I can think of is that of the elephant throwing dust and rubbish on its own head!)

Mr Jois is reported to have lambasted the State Government for the "sense of insecurity" gripping the people of Bihar and for the "fear and terror" that were uppermost in their minds. He added for good measure that he found it painful to learn that people from other parts of the country were afraid of sending their wards to the State. Predictably, this has raised the hackles of the Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo and virtual Chief Minister, Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav, who has vowed to take up the matter with the President, Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (who, of course, can do nothing more than giving him a patient hearing).

It is common knowledge that among the BIMARU (or more aptly `bimari') States, Bihar is particularly in a poor shape. In a survey on the performance record of States, carried out by India Today some months ago, it was placed the last on all counts, including law and order. It may well be that what the Governor permitted himself to say at the Republic Day function represents the true state of affairs. But that does not mean that he should tom-tom it in the manner he has done. In fact, it is one of the hoary principles of management that even an executive head of office with the authority to pull up those working under him should avoid censuring an erring employee in the full view of others. If at all anyone is to be put on the mat, it should be done in private and one-on-one in a way that will not damage the morale and the future effectiveness of the person concerned.

These days I find that all these canons of civility are given the go-by on all sides. Politicians at least have the excuse of not having gone through any training and grooming in these respects. But what about a person like Mr J. M. Lyngdoh, the Chief Election Commissioner, who, on a visit of spot inspection of conditions in Gujarat, berates in an intemperate manner the Collector of Ahmedabad before his own junior officials?

The first rule that constitutional functionaries should observe is to hold their tongue. A Governor especially should say or do nothing that casts doubt on his impartiality and detracts from his role as the friend, philosopher and guide of the Government. He should exercise his influence from behind the scenes and quietly help set right matters that may be going wrong, and not be a show-off flexing his muscles in public.