Samit Sharma: People’s bureaucrat

 

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YOGESH BHAWRA | New Delhi, December 18, 2011 12:18

 

In Rajasthan, Samit Sharma is known as a common man’s civil servant. Such is his public image that when he was transferred as district magistrate (DM) Nagaur last year to Jaipur, the district rose in protest. In an earlier posting as DM Chittorgarh, he managed to get the benighted district, then among the bottom 50 of districts with the lowest human development index, to a new level. Here, this former doctor, talks in an exclusive interview.

As implementer-in- chief of the state’s Free Medicine Distribution mechanism, what are the challenges involved?
It is indeed a tragedy of epic proportions that a large part of the state’s and country’s population cannot afford medicines. This is more dangerous than Tsunami and earthquakes. Today 65 per cent of people cannot afford medicines. Another 40 per cent have to sell their land and property to avail medication. Some of them become indebted for life. In an effort to save lives in Rajasthan, the chief minister’s Free Medicine Distribution mechanism is being implemented under which 15,000 hospitals are to distribute free medicines to the needy. There are many challenges ahead, including personal vilification. I would like to assure everyone that we are not opposed to any medical company, doctors or medical representatives.

What do you mean by good governance?
In my view, it is to reach out to more and more people. The common man has to benefit from government programmes and plans. It needs hard work, constant improvements and commitment. I believe there are three kinds of administrations — administration by the Constitution of India, administration by the government but above these two is the rule of God. Officers should always remember this. Both in Nagaur and Chittoragarh, we set up 60 fair price medicine shops where patients could buy low-priced medicines. It proved to be helpful.

Your are a common man’s bureaucrat.
I believe that we have become IAS officers in this life and the government has bestowed certain responsibilities on us. This chair, these cars and all the other paraphernalia is given to us to serve the people. The Constitution of India and the Indian tricolour also teach us that. Our efforts have to be geared towards helping the needy and poor. I am at the health department headquarters and it is my duty to come to the help of seven crore people of Rajasthan.

You have a lot of public support. Any particular reason?
When you are a representative of the government, any support for the people also makes you popular. Maybe by adhering strictly to the Constitution while working under government regulations, could be a reason. I am a follower of Gandhi and Martin Luther King. King’s magic words are my guiding light: “If a man does the job of cleaning, he should do it so well and minutely that it resembles the work of a Michael Angelo or William Shakespeare.’’

Who is you ideal in administration?
For discipline and ability to implement forcefully, former CEC TN Seshan is my idea. Currently, the boss of Delhi’s Central Tourism Development Board, Rajasthan cadre IAS officer Lalit K Pawar and chairman of the Jaipur Development Authority Kuldip Raka are two big influences.