Ex-bureaucrat's book release event turns into platform to criticise corruption in governance

Speaking at the event, Hemachandran said social resistance against corruption can emerge only when citizens become agents of self-correction. IAS officer N Prasanth, who introduced the book, said the use of constitutional freedom of expression by officials to speak openly about administrative processes could improve governance.

A book release function of a retired IAS officer on Wednesday turned into a platform to criticise corruption in governance. Former Thiruvananthapuram District Collector Biju Prabhakar's book ''Naam Namme Kollayadikkumbol'' was released at a function here. Former DGP A Hemachandran released the book and handed over the first copy to ex-DGP S Ananthakrishnan. The book, based on Prabhakar's experiences during his service, highlights alleged corruption, nepotism and irregularities across various government departments. According to the author, it presents firsthand accounts of various ''daylight loots'' he witnessed or learned about during his tenure. The book discusses alleged corruption in sectors ranging from anganwadi construction to court buildings, besides raising claims about irregularities in land assignment, conversion, public works and procurement during the Covid-19 period. It also touches upon issues linked to the 2018 floods, trade union influence in governance, and the emergence of local bars alongside star hotels. Speaking at the event, Hemachandran said social resistance against corruption can emerge only when citizens become agents of self-correction. He also stressed that civil servants should view themselves as public servants rather than centres of power. Ananthakrishnan said greater transparency through digitalisation of government services could help curb corruption and ensure accountability in file movement. IAS officer N Prasanth, who introduced the book, said the use of constitutional freedom of expression by officials to speak openly about administrative processes could improve governance. He also emphasised the potential of the Right to Information Act in enabling social change. Prasanth alleged that the system often shifts the burden of governance onto citizens while allowing administrative inefficiencies to persist. Citing an example, he said officials claim that there is no power cuts in the state though everybody knows that it is not the reality. He said these are ''narratives'' aimed at attempting to distort reality. Prabhakar, son of late Congress leader Thachadi Prabhakaran, had earlier stated that he is a sympathiser of the grand-old party. He retired from the service last year after holding several key positions during his over three-decade-old administrative career. The book is published by Manorama Books. Other speakers at the event included Aditya Varma, member of the erstwhile Travancore royal family and Thomas Dominic, editor-in charge of 'Manorama Books'.