Miss/Mr Anonymous:- Dear Manmujiji,
Its been 4 years since being an IRS Offr.. Have been promoted to DC Rank. Am 27+ yrs today.
I don't think had attempted CSE for this kind of work and this kind of a life. Although am busy through out the day, satisfied with pay, etc but an emptiness remains.
Would you advise quitting? Do Offrs quit within a few yrs of service?
Can have much better prospects abroad or within India and i think much better working environment.
Sole motivation of many of my batch mate friends seems to be ... you know what. Can not discuss these things freely with them.
If you follow your conscience and beliefs then the Superior considers you an obstacle, trade considers you as difficult and sub-ord staff inflexible and unaccommodating. I myself feel like helping out people by applying Law mildly, out of my nature and not for any other consideration. In short feel i am not cut out for an enforcement kind of a job especially in a cultural environment as prevails in the Dept and the Country generally.
OR Do you suggest i hammer it out for a few years until i rise to Joint / Additional, slightly away from the humdrum undercurrents which are a source of discomfort and dissatisfaction for me.
Feel lost. Pls advise sincerely if you can.
Manmauji:- Hello Miss/Mr Anonymous, thanks for your visit on the blog...You have raised a very important question which I feel many of your batch mate must be having but don't have courage to confront the reality...You have rightly said that even after 4 years of service, one still feel emptiness, helplessness,struggling with very basic issues such as infrastructure,working environment,basic facilities etc..When CSE aspirants prepare for civil service, they have in mind the big bungalows,Ambassador with blue beacon light,servants,security guards/body guards and ample scope for contribution to the common life...These are the very basic imaginations one must be having specially who belongs to Rural backgrounds though some must feel that these types of aspirants have feudal mindset and does not have right to be in Civil Service as we are living in a democratic country where people are masters and We,the Civil Servants are servant of the people. True,We are not masters and We are actually servants but have some basic rights of facilities which all Group A officers must have. I feel there are some basic issues. Beside IAS, there are huge infrastructure constraints in every service. IPS and IFS can still feel comfortable as compared to IAS...Though at the time of entry in CSE, it is said that all services are equal. But, in reality, it is quite different...you see, IAS and IPS of CSE-2007,2008 batches have became DM/SP with huge mandate of social intervention along with good infrastructure support while the equivalent batchy of IRS[C&CE] and IRS[IT] are still Asstt Commissioners with very specific mandate with very poor infrastructural support. This leads to the frustration and feeling that apart from IAS and IPS, both IRS are middle class services among all services being recruited through CSE as neither one can say that IRS is very bad service nor one can say that it is very good service after taking all factors in mind. Therefore, the million dollar question arises "Should We quit the Job?"...Actually it is difficult to reply in black and white as the answer depends on numerous factors....It is told that "Work is worship" but how it can be Worship if you are not enjoying your job..One can grow in service only when he/she enjoys his/her job..Creativity and innovations comes only when one enjoys one's job...Thus, if you don't have any option other then IRS then try to develop interest in the service, search the deputation options,go for study leave,enhance your education by adding degrees..If you have better option outside then definitely one can think off but one must be very clear in mind that life at other hand is also not very easy. The people in other departments are also not very good or happy. Everywhere Seniors feel juniors as obstacles and subordinates feels otherwise. This dilemma is every where... In all government formations some degree of frustrations exists. Actually, if one have urge for social service or desire for rural development [IF he belongs to services other than IAS] then one can go for deputation in ministry of Rural development or United Nations.But, I am not sure how much scope these deputation gives as all powerful positions in all ministries are held by IAS only.So, huge precautions are required to be taken. Regarding hammering hard on the system, definitely one can do that but there is no need to wait for JC or ADC as at those positions also there are lot of constraints and pulls and pressures which may hamper your zeal to fight. Actually, in ministry of Finance, there is an atmosphere of mass suspicion. Seniors feel that juniors are corrupt as if they are the most honest fellows. In such a situation, if you work as per your conscience and take decision in the favour of trade then they may think that you have some hidden motto. Vigilance action may follow. If you don't follow your mind then you feel that you are useless soul which can't do anything positive for the people. This feeling exist at all levels in IRS. One AC [Asstt Commissioner] was sharing a though to me that whenever he attends a meeting with his commissioner and chief commissioner, he feel so frustrated because at there level also they are still focussing on all those petty issues which AC is already handling of course at small level. He told me that he don't want to be commissioner or Chief Commissioner as they are only doing these rubbish things. No big thought..still doing adjudication,assessment,call book cases,Cenvat:PLA ratio etc etc...one may not be agreeing on this poor new AC's arguments but there is some truth in his statement. Now I will narrate one incidence which might help you.... Once, some of the IRS[C&CE] officers went to meet Mr Chidambaram and they complained about lack of infrastructure,promotion issues and other similar matters as compared to IAS...Mr Chidambaram told these officers that "who stopped you to become IAS officers" [one], second thing he told that look, you join this service by choice [which I feel is factually and only partially correct] as you fill your service order and prepared for an Exam...So you must be aware about pros and cons of the service and must adjust with the reality. He further told that he joined politics by his choice though he was earning more as an lawyer and more happy then as compared to now. So, answer of your question lies in your mind..if you want to continue in the service, look the brighter part of the service and if you want to quit, look for the best option which may give you scope to do the things which you really wanted to do. There are several examples where people left the service after two to three years. All of them are happy[Probably]. Somebody told me that one guy with AIR 6th got IAS and left with in two years of service. In IRS also there are people who left the department and doing good. In IPS,I know one officer who left the job when he was SSP and joined private sector...roamed the whole world and now he is MP,Loksabha...so ample examples are there...See, scope is there in all the services for betterment and advancement..it depends on individual how he/she mould and utilise it...The ultimate question is are you happy in whatever you are doing?..if not, think about the causes, correct/rectify them and move forward. There are people who were having passion for film making but doing engineering jobs..they left their jobs pursued their interest and now they are good film makers....So everything depends on you...quitting requires huge courage to face uncertainty in outside world..if successful, world will salute you, if failed, all will laugh at you..but the question remains important and the same, whether you should see and bother about the reactions of the people in general or you must focus on your inner happiness.. The Choice is yours....further query is welcome...Good Luck..keep on blogging...
Its been 4 years since being an IRS Offr.. Have been promoted to DC Rank. Am 27+ yrs today.
I don't think had attempted CSE for this kind of work and this kind of a life. Although am busy through out the day, satisfied with pay, etc but an emptiness remains.
Would you advise quitting? Do Offrs quit within a few yrs of service?
Can have much better prospects abroad or within India and i think much better working environment.
Sole motivation of many of my batch mate friends seems to be ... you know what. Can not discuss these things freely with them.
If you follow your conscience and beliefs then the Superior considers you an obstacle, trade considers you as difficult and sub-ord staff inflexible and unaccommodating. I myself feel like helping out people by applying Law mildly, out of my nature and not for any other consideration. In short feel i am not cut out for an enforcement kind of a job especially in a cultural environment as prevails in the Dept and the Country generally.
OR Do you suggest i hammer it out for a few years until i rise to Joint / Additional, slightly away from the humdrum undercurrents which are a source of discomfort and dissatisfaction for me.
Feel lost. Pls advise sincerely if you can.
Manmauji:- Hello Miss/Mr Anonymous, thanks for your visit on the blog...You have raised a very important question which I feel many of your batch mate must be having but don't have courage to confront the reality...You have rightly said that even after 4 years of service, one still feel emptiness, helplessness,struggling with very basic issues such as infrastructure,working environment,basic facilities etc..When CSE aspirants prepare for civil service, they have in mind the big bungalows,Ambassador with blue beacon light,servants,security guards/body guards and ample scope for contribution to the common life...These are the very basic imaginations one must be having specially who belongs to Rural backgrounds though some must feel that these types of aspirants have feudal mindset and does not have right to be in Civil Service as we are living in a democratic country where people are masters and We,the Civil Servants are servant of the people. True,We are not masters and We are actually servants but have some basic rights of facilities which all Group A officers must have. I feel there are some basic issues. Beside IAS, there are huge infrastructure constraints in every service. IPS and IFS can still feel comfortable as compared to IAS...Though at the time of entry in CSE, it is said that all services are equal. But, in reality, it is quite different...you see, IAS and IPS of CSE-2007,2008 batches have became DM/SP with huge mandate of social intervention along with good infrastructure support while the equivalent batchy of IRS[C&CE] and IRS[IT] are still Asstt Commissioners with very specific mandate with very poor infrastructural support. This leads to the frustration and feeling that apart from IAS and IPS, both IRS are middle class services among all services being recruited through CSE as neither one can say that IRS is very bad service nor one can say that it is very good service after taking all factors in mind. Therefore, the million dollar question arises "Should We quit the Job?"...Actually it is difficult to reply in black and white as the answer depends on numerous factors....It is told that "Work is worship" but how it can be Worship if you are not enjoying your job..One can grow in service only when he/she enjoys his/her job..Creativity and innovations comes only when one enjoys one's job...Thus, if you don't have any option other then IRS then try to develop interest in the service, search the deputation options,go for study leave,enhance your education by adding degrees..If you have better option outside then definitely one can think off but one must be very clear in mind that life at other hand is also not very easy. The people in other departments are also not very good or happy. Everywhere Seniors feel juniors as obstacles and subordinates feels otherwise. This dilemma is every where... In all government formations some degree of frustrations exists. Actually, if one have urge for social service or desire for rural development [IF he belongs to services other than IAS] then one can go for deputation in ministry of Rural development or United Nations.But, I am not sure how much scope these deputation gives as all powerful positions in all ministries are held by IAS only.So, huge precautions are required to be taken. Regarding hammering hard on the system, definitely one can do that but there is no need to wait for JC or ADC as at those positions also there are lot of constraints and pulls and pressures which may hamper your zeal to fight. Actually, in ministry of Finance, there is an atmosphere of mass suspicion. Seniors feel that juniors are corrupt as if they are the most honest fellows. In such a situation, if you work as per your conscience and take decision in the favour of trade then they may think that you have some hidden motto. Vigilance action may follow. If you don't follow your mind then you feel that you are useless soul which can't do anything positive for the people. This feeling exist at all levels in IRS. One AC [Asstt Commissioner] was sharing a though to me that whenever he attends a meeting with his commissioner and chief commissioner, he feel so frustrated because at there level also they are still focussing on all those petty issues which AC is already handling of course at small level. He told me that he don't want to be commissioner or Chief Commissioner as they are only doing these rubbish things. No big thought..still doing adjudication,assessment,call book cases,Cenvat:PLA ratio etc etc...one may not be agreeing on this poor new AC's arguments but there is some truth in his statement. Now I will narrate one incidence which might help you.... Once, some of the IRS[C&CE] officers went to meet Mr Chidambaram and they complained about lack of infrastructure,promotion issues and other similar matters as compared to IAS...Mr Chidambaram told these officers that "who stopped you to become IAS officers" [one], second thing he told that look, you join this service by choice [which I feel is factually and only partially correct] as you fill your service order and prepared for an Exam...So you must be aware about pros and cons of the service and must adjust with the reality. He further told that he joined politics by his choice though he was earning more as an lawyer and more happy then as compared to now. So, answer of your question lies in your mind..if you want to continue in the service, look the brighter part of the service and if you want to quit, look for the best option which may give you scope to do the things which you really wanted to do. There are several examples where people left the service after two to three years. All of them are happy[Probably]. Somebody told me that one guy with AIR 6th got IAS and left with in two years of service. In IRS also there are people who left the department and doing good. In IPS,I know one officer who left the job when he was SSP and joined private sector...roamed the whole world and now he is MP,Loksabha...so ample examples are there...See, scope is there in all the services for betterment and advancement..it depends on individual how he/she mould and utilise it...The ultimate question is are you happy in whatever you are doing?..if not, think about the causes, correct/rectify them and move forward. There are people who were having passion for film making but doing engineering jobs..they left their jobs pursued their interest and now they are good film makers....So everything depends on you...quitting requires huge courage to face uncertainty in outside world..if successful, world will salute you, if failed, all will laugh at you..but the question remains important and the same, whether you should see and bother about the reactions of the people in general or you must focus on your inner happiness.. The Choice is yours....further query is welcome...Good Luck..keep on blogging...
