![\"Civil](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130424751,imgsize-778710,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/tv-somanathan.jpg\" "\\"<p>Cabinet")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nCabinet secretary TV Somnathan<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
NEW DELHI: Cabinet secretary TV Somanathan on Tuesday invoked Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel\u2019s vision of a politically neutral and integrity-driven group of civil servants who are not involved in communal wrangles and are fearless in offering honest advice to the executive.TOI has learnt that in his address on \u201cethics and efficiency in civil services\u201d, Somanathan, known for his frank views, also told officials to abide by the rules of conduct while suggesting that if they are asked to do anything that\u2019s not as per rules, they should give \u201cproper reasons\u201d to seniors and political executives.Earlier in the inaugural session of the Civil Services Day attended by the country\u2019s top bureaucrats, Somanathan said that individual officers may from time to time have fallen short of Patel\u2019s ideals, but the basic ethos of a politically neutral civil service capable of tendering impartial and frank advice has \u201cendured\u201d.He said that civil services have played a vital role in preserving India’s unity, integrity, and democracy.The cabinet secretary read out Patel\u2019s caution from his address to the first recruits of the Indian Administrative Service in 1947 \u2014 \u201cA civil servant cannot afford to and must not take part in politics, nor must he involve himself in communal wrangles. To depart from the path of rectitude in either of these respects is to debase public services and to lower its dignity.\u201dHe also quoted a part of Patel\u2019s speech in the Constituent Assembly in October 1949, highlighting how political executives should allow bureaucrats to express their opinion without \u201cfear or favour\u201d.Patel had said, \u201cIf you do not give your honest opinion for fear that it will displease your minister, please then you had better go. I will bring another secretary. I will never be displeased over a frank expression of opinion,\u201d Somanathan quoted the country\u2019s first home minister.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n