The developed nations of the world are a reflection and testimony to the need for bureaucratic input alongside its efficiency. Those countries that have managed to keep the bureaucracy insulated from political influences and exigencies are the ones that have achieved progress the most. Institutional independence is a critical factor to the economic growth and development of any country.

The demarcations and all lines of delineation between the various pillars of the government and governance need to be as solid as the wall of China. Any attempt to smudge these invisible boundaries can seriously impair performance and accountability.

Even in ancient civilisations of China and Mesopotamia, a kind of bureaucracy existed, which was entrusted to manage people (in today’s parlance Human Capital), which ultimately led to the creation and development of administrative structures.

The term bureaucracy is believed to have been coined in France in the 18th century; it combines the French word “bureau” (desk/ office) with the Greek word “Kratos” (rule) to signify rule by an office — an administrative unit.

Without delving deeply into the philosophy relating to the development of bureaucracy, it would suffice to say, that, it is a concept in sociology and political science, which refers to the way and manner in which the administrative implementation of legal rules/regulations is socially organised.

Policymaking is the job of the bureaucracy. Politicians, who raise slogans relating to economic growth, have to allow the parliament to legislate upon the economic manifesto; once this is done, it has to be left to the experts in the bureaucracy to reduce it into several policy documents. While doing this assignment, the bureaucracy looks at the legislation with a microscope to ensure it has no weaknesses of overlooking precedent rules and regulations; and also, it has to expunge the issues that are repugnant to either the Constitution or prevalent laws.

It is unwise to expect parliamentarians, who come from diverse backgrounds and for “different” reasons, to have the capacity to make a deep dive into........

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