In the last few years, the coordinated strategy of the Central and State governments has substantially reduced the menace of Naxalism in many affected regions. However, in several remote districts the Naxal problem continues to pose the main internal-security threat. Recently, in one such district, a spate of violent incidents involving explosives and killings has taken place and reliable intelligence points to renewed activities of over-ground workers and foreign extremists in the area.

“Laws are made for people, not people for laws.”– Albert Einestine

In public administration, focusing solely onformalityand ignoring thesubstanceof the matter oftenleads toinjustice. A perceptive civil servantprioritizesthespiritandintentbehind laws and policiesover rigid procedural compliance, ensuringfairnessandjustice.

## Dangers of Mindless Adherence to Form

• Injustice to Vulnerable Groups: Blind adherence to rules can deny access to benefits for those lacking resources or documentation.Eg: Denyingration cardsto homeless individuals without a permanent address.


• Bureaucratic Delaysleading to inefficiency and slow public service delivery.Eg:Eg: In the2014 Kashmir floods, delays in distributing relief due to incomplete paperwork


• Loss of Public Trust: People may lose faith in the system if rigid rules result in unfair outcomes.


• Corruption Facilitation: Complex processes encourage bribes as shortcuts, exploiting the vulnerable. Eg:Vohra Committee– Politician-Bureaucrat-Corporate Nexus


• Stifling Innovation:Eg: Halting creative educational methods due to rigid compliance with outdated curricula.


• Undermining Public Welfare: Public welfare programs may be inefficient if focus remains on formalities rather than outcomes.Eg: Exclusion error under PDS


• Increased Litigation:Eg: Litigations in PPP Projects.


• Moral Disengagement:Eg: Deportingrefugeesdue to missing paperwork, ignoring the ethical responsibility of offering asylum in life-threatening situations.

## Perceptive Civil Servant’s Approach to True Intent

• Outcome-Oriented Action: Focus on achieving the intended result of the law, rather than getting bogged down by rigid rules.Eg:Aruna Sundararajan (IAS)as a Telecom Secretary, rolled outBharatNetto connect rural areas


• Empathy and Compassion(Ethics of Care):Eg:Prasanth Nair (IAS)launched several citizen-centric initiatives likeCompassionate Kozhikodefor compassion-driven governance.


• Judicious Flexibility: adjustdeadlines and processeswhen it benefits public welfare. Eg-Smita Sabharwal (IAS)launched theAmmalalanaprogram in Telangana, integrating public feedback into governance


• Proactive Problem-Solving(Pragmatism): Pragmatism encourages practical solutions over strict theoretical application.


• Holistic Decision-Making: While following the law is important, the true duty is to the public, meaning civil servants must balance legality with morality.Eg:Vinod Kumar(IAS) simplified theflood compensation process, ensuring people received immediate relief without excessive paperwork.


• Balancing Rules with Intent: A perceptive civil servant ensures that laws serve the common good, not just formal compliance. Eg-Eg:U. Sagayamensured thatdrought reliefwas delivered promptly, even if recipients lacked all necessary documentation

“The strictest law sometimes becomes the severest injustice.”– Benjamin Franklin. A perceptive civil servant looks beyond rigid formalities, ensuring that governance serves its higher purpose—equity and fairness.

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