Topic: Role of civil services in a democracy.
3. In regards to civils services, what is the doctrine of pleasure? Does the recent amendment extending tenures of several heads of departments further enhances the doctrine? Critically Examine. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
A day after promulgating two ordinances that would allow the Centre to extend the tenures of the Directors of the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate from two years to up to five years, the Personnel Ministry issued an order to amend the Fundamental Rules, 1922 adding the two posts to the list whose services can be extended by up to two years beyond the two-year fixed tenure in “public interest”.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about doctrine of pleasure and to examine if the recent amendments further enhance the doctrine.
Directive word:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by defining doctrine of pleasure.
Body:
In the first part, write about the two ordinances that would allow the Centre to extend the tenures of the Directors of the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate from two years to up to five years. Mention the further scope of increment in public interest by to years.
Next, discuss how this further enhances the doctrine of pleasure – neutrality, independence, expectation of favour. Also mention as to how it is in contravention to Vineet Narain vs Union of India case.
Next, mention as to how this amendment may dilute the doctrine and not enhance it.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a wat forward.
