The show-cause notice issued to Vivek Banzal, Director of BSNL, over the now-cancelled Prayagraj visit is more than a routine administrative reprimand. It is a stark reminder that sections of India’s bureaucracy remain entrenched in a colonial-era mindset, seemingly immune to the spirit of accountability and restraint that the times demand. The details of the proposed visit are not merely excessive; they are indefensible. Fifty officials deployed to manage a two-day itinerary, elaborate personal arrangements including “Snan kits” with toiletries and clothing items, preferential hotel provisions, and meticulous coordination for temple visits and a dip at the Sangam – all at official expense or under official direction – reflect a culture of entitlement that has no place in a modern democracy. Protocol is one thing; orchestrating near-feudal arrangements is quite another.
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia was right to call the episode “absurd” and “shocking”. His swift intervention signals that such conduct is officially unacceptable. Yet, the deeper concern lies beyond one cancelled visit. On one hand, the Government repeatedly emphasises shedding the colonial legacy – a system that elevated officials to quasi-royal status. On the other hand, episodes like this suggest that some within the higher bureaucracy remain reluctant to relinquish the privileges and deference associated with that past. This is not an isolated aberration. The public still recalls the controversy surrounding the temporary closure of Delhi’s stadium to facilitate a VIP dog walk – an incident that drew widespread criticism and symbolised bureaucratic overreach. Such events erode public trust and reinforce the perception that accountability is selective.
In the age of social media, information travels at the speed of light. What might once have been quietly executed and forgotten now becomes a national debate within hours. Officials must recognise that public scrutiny is constant and unforgiving. Transparency is no longer optional; it is structural to governance in the digital era. A show-cause notice, while necessary, will not suffice if it remains a symbolic gesture. There is an urgent need for clearly defined SOPs governing official visits. More importantly, violations must invite proportionate and visible consequences. Without systemic correction, these episodes will continue to surface, undermining the credibility of institutions. India’s administrative leadership must internalise a simple principle: public office is a responsibility, not a privilege. Excess, indulgence, and entitlement – however routine they may once have been – are wholly incompatible with the ethos of a self-confident, accountable republic.
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