Even as some former bureaucrats face CBI heat, Reserve Bank Governor Raghuram Rajan today called upon the youth to join public service so that they can leave an imprint on the society at large.
Addressing the students of the RBI-run Indira Gandhi Institute for Economic Research (IGIDR) on their convocation day here, Rajan admitted that in the current environment, "it is tough to be an honest public servant."
"The CBI comes after you. You are an honest guy and you don't get credit...Of course, its hard being honest and many people would get influenced by the environment around them. But when you do public service, there is a hope that you can leave some imprint," Rajan told the IGIDR students as their chancellor.
It can be noted that CBI has filed a preliminary inquiry against former Sebi chairman C B Bhave, considered by many ministers and industry leaders as one of the most upright civil servants, alleging criminal conspiracy in granting licence to Jignesh Shah promoted MCX-SX stock exchange.
The CBI action has been criticised by many, including Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh,apart from noted banker Deepak Parekh among others.
"I am not saying private service does not leave an imprint. But sometimes it is easier in public service to make the difference, partly because you may be an entrepreneur of ideas and if you can make those ideas take, you will have influence," he added.
