K.S. Nagarajan
As a retired ONGC scientist and 1971 war veteran, I have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for urgent intervention to strengthen accountability among public servants and provide institutional support to innovators whose ideas, I believe, are being lost due to bureaucratic delays.
In this open letter to the Prime Minister, I argue that prolonged delays in delivering justice do more than deny relief to citizens—they can embolden erring officials and make the lives of honest citizens increasingly difficult. I have cited my appeals pending before the Central Information Commission in Files No. CIC/PRSEC/A/2025/100192 and 100232 as examples of my own experience.
I have proposed a digital accountability mechanism under the existing conduct and discipline rules for government employees. I suggested that public servants above the rank of Inspector should be required to submit quarterly digital declarations confirming compliance with the rules applicable to their duties.
As per my proposal, failure to submit such declarations should trigger withholding of salary for a limited period, followed by suspension and disciplinary proceedings if the non-compliance continues. I strongly believe that such a system could significantly improve administrative accountability, reduce corruption and, importantly, bring down the enormous volume of litigation involving government departments.
“The Government is the largest litigant,” I contended, arguing that public money is often spent defending administrative failures and alleged misconduct by officials.
As a retired scientist, I am also seeking institutional assistance to develop and test an innovative machine that I have designed and fabricated. I told professors from IIT Madras about my innovation. They heard my presentation and, in fact, visited my residence to examine the machine despite my poor health and financial constraints. Their feedback was highly encouraging.
I now seek technological and institutional support to conduct load testing of the machine and explore its potential for public use and entrepreneurship. I am particularly concerned that the ideas I have developed over several decades could disappear with me unless an appropriate institutional mechanism is created to preserve, test and develop them.
My appeal, therefore, combines two concerns—making public servants more accountable and ensuring that indigenous innovations do not die for want of institutional support.
I urge the Centre to consider my proposals as part of a broader effort to promote integrity in public administration while creating opportunities for innovators to convert their ideas into useful technologies, enterprises and employment.
