Leadership Dominant In NDA, Was 'Very Loose' In UPA: Vinod Rai


NEW DELHI: He stirred a hornet's nest with his explosive CAG report on the allocation of 2G telecom spectrum, but Vinod Rai, now retired, is sticking to his guns, saying leadership in the UPA-II government was "very loose", with parties pulling in different directions, but is dominant in the current National Democratic Alliance (NDA) dispensation.

Rai, whose book "Not Just An Accountant" (Rupa) was released earlier this month, said the bureaucracy has a greater sense of participation in the Narendra Modi government.

Rai, who was Comptroller and Auditor General during 2008-13, noted that on the basis of his little interaction with his former colleagues that there is a feeling among civil servants that they were being heard more.

"They certainly have a greater sense of participation in the government. They now don't have a GOM (group of ministers) or an EGOM (empowered group of ministers) sitting on top of them. There is a secretary and there is a minister which is the hierarchical procedure. They feel they are being heard more," Rai told IANS in an interview.

Rai also lauded Modi's initiative to interact directly with top civil servants. "I have a feeling it gives the officers some strength to their elbow."

Asked about difference between the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and NDA, Rai said he cannot make the distinction as he was not in the government to know its working. Pressed further, he said NDA appeared to have a leadership which is dominant.

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Source: IANS