Minister: Bureaucrats should learn to say 'no minister' when needed

New Delhi, Sep 16 : Top bureaucrats should learn to articulate their difference of opinion with their political bosses whenever they think it is necessary, Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh said here on Saturday.

"The top bureaucracy should desist from saying ‘yes minister' all the time just to remain in the good books of their political bosses and should say ‘no minister' if they think an economic, social or political decision does not conform to the interest of states," he said at the Chief Secretaries' Conclave on ‘Making New India by 2022 -- Role of States' organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here. 

Jitendra Singh also urged the top bureaucrats from various states present at the event to be instrumental in promoting ease of doing business in their respective states. 

He said that several states have failed in providing ease of doing business despite Central government's cooperation and encouragement, and stressed that the political leadership as well as the bureaucracy "need to pull up their socks" on this front so that states attract investments and create jobs with increased economic activities.

NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said that India would have to grow at 9-10 per cent for three decades to emerge a leading economy of the world and for this, it was imperative for states to improve ease of doing business. 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Rajiv Kumar, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Shakuntala Gamlin, Assam Additional Chief Secretary Ravi Capoor, Karnataka Principal Secretary-cum-Resident Commissioner Nilaya Mitash, Punjab Industries and Commerce Secretary Rakesh Verma and Odisha Skill Development-cum-Technical Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar were among the top bureaucrats present on the occasion.