Udaipur, Former IAS officer Ram Niwas Mehta, who retired as secretary of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission on July 31, 2026, has raised several questions about the functioning of administration, politics, the judiciary, higher education and the government system in his book, Dar, Sahas Aur Bhi Bahut Kuch... The book was published on August 19, 2026, and draws on Mehta’s experiences during his administrative career.

Are Elected Representatives Becoming Modern-Day Rulers?

Mehta questions why, nearly eight decades after Independence, ordinary citizens continue to struggle to fully exercise their rights and why social harmony and fraternity appear to be declining. He asks whether elected representatives are increasingly behaving like modern-day rulers, whether government employees are failing to uphold their responsibilities as public servants, or whether moral decline in society itself is contributing to the problem.

He argues that those who project themselves as champions of public service while pursuing other interests can make the system more difficult for citizens.

Advice to Bureaucrats to Maintain Political Distance

Mehta has advised bureaucrats to maintain distance from political influence and ensure complete neutrality and transparency during elections. He says this is not merely a legal obligation but is also important for an officer’s personal security and mental peace.

He has urged young and honest officers to remain committed to their duties and ethical principles even when faced with difficult circumstances.

Concern Over Delays in the Justice System

The book also expresses concern over delays in the judicial system. Mehta says that for many citizens, the expectation of timely justice is replaced by prolonged legal proceedings and repeated hearings. He argues that systemic reforms are necessary to ensure that citizens receive the social and legal environment to which they are entitled.

Questions Over Private Universities and Higher Education

Mehta has also expressed concern over Rajasthan’s higher education system. Referring to alleged irregularities in private universities, including cases involving purported fake degrees and PhDs awarded within unusually short periods, he describes such developments as signs of deterioration in academic standards.

He questions why, when the state government has powers to investigate and take action against irregularities, those powers are not being used effectively.

Udaipur’s Udaisagar Lake Hotel Construction Case

The book also discusses a case involving hotel construction near Udaisagar Lake in Udaipur. Mehta writes that while serving as secretary of the Urban Improvement Trust (UIT), he rejected an application to renew permission for the hotel project after finding violations of wetland regulations.

According to Mehta’s account, the hotel owner challenged the decision in the Supreme Court. He writes that on October 29, 2014, the Supreme Court imposed a fine of Rs. 1 lakh on him, following which he renewed the construction permission.

Account of a Gun-Pointing Incident

Mehta has also recounted an incident from February 3, 2005, when he was serving as SDM in Manohar Thana, Jhalawar. He writes that then-BJP leader Kanwarlal Meena allegedly pointed a pistol at him during a dispute over a demand for repolling in a deputy sarpanch election.

According to Mehta’s account, then-Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje summoned him on March 15, 2005, and sought details of the incident. He writes that although he feared he might be transferred, he continued in the post for nearly another year.

Message to Young Administrators

Mehta says the objective of writing the book is to acquaint young people and future administrators with the realities of government functioning and the challenges faced by those who seek to work honestly.

He emphasizes that difficult circumstances can sometimes make unethical shortcuts appear easier, but compromising on values ultimately damages an individual’s principles and the integrity of the system. Through his administrative experiences, the book calls for positive changes in political leadership, bureaucracy and the justice system.