Suresh Prasad (56), assistent clerk at Bihar House, where officials from Delhi stay the night. India's weighty bureaucracy is an inheritance from British colonial times. Some 6,500 civil servants are employed at state level in Patna, the capital of Bihar. An estimated 45 per cent of bureaucratic positions in Patna are currently vacant due to economic restrictions.

Surinder Kumar Mandal (57), regional tax inspector. India's weighty bureaucracy is an inheritance from British colonial times. Some 6,500 civil servants are employed at state level in Patna, the capital of Bihar. An estimated 45 per cent of bureaucratic positions in Patna are currently vacant due to economic restrictions.

Arbind Kumar (55), head assistant, supply section of food supplies. India's weighty bureaucracy is an inheritance from British colonial times. Some 6,500 civil servants are employed at state level in Patna, the capital of Bihar. An estimated 45 per cent of bureaucratic positions in Patna are currently vacant due to economic restrictions.

Kah Subramanyan (58), Chief Secretary of Bihar. India's weighty bureaucracy is an inheritance from British colonial times. Some 6,500 civil servants are employed at state level in Patna, the capital of Bihar. An estimated 45 per cent of bureaucratic positions in Patna are currently vacant due to economic restrictions.

Jawed Hayat (47), policeman, literate constable of Thakurganj, with three junior constables. India's weighty bureaucracy is an inheritance from British colonial times. Some 6,500 civil servants are employed at state level in Patna, the capital of Bihar. An estimated 45 per cent of bureaucratic positions in Patna are currently vacant due to economic restrictions.

Dr. Munni Das (43), Block Development Officer. India's weighty bureaucracy is an inheritance from British colonial times. Some 6,500 civil servants are employed at state level in Patna, the capital of Bihar. An estimated 45 per cent of bureaucratic positions in Patna are currently vacant due to economic restrictions.

Sushma Prasad (41), assistant clerk to the cabinet secretary. India's weighty bureaucracy is an inheritance from British colonial times. Some 6,500 civil servants are employed at state level in Patna, the capital of Bihar. An estimated 45 per cent of bureaucratic positions in Patna are currently vacant due to economic restrictions.

Anjani Kumar Verma (31), personal assistant to the chief secretary. India's weighty bureaucracy is an inheritance from British colonial times. Some 6,500 civil servants are employed at state level in Patna, the capital of Bihar. An estimated 45 per cent of bureaucratic positions in Patna are currently vacant due to economic restrictions.

Om Prakash (40), Block Development Officer. India's weighty bureaucracy is an inheritance from British colonial times. Some 6,500 civil servants are employed at state level in Patna, the capital of Bihar. An estimated 45 per cent of bureaucratic positions in Patna are currently vacant due to economic restrictions.

Zahir Anwar (50), dealing assistent (in charge of daily operations) at the Driver's Lisences office, a third-grade employee of the state government. India's weighty bureaucracy is an inheritance from British colonial times. Some 6,500 civil servants are employed at state level in Patna, the capital of Bihar. An estimated 45 per cent of bureaucratic positions in Patna are currently vacant due to economic restrictions.

Satish Ranjan Sinha (35), block development officer. India's weighty bureaucracy is an inheritance from British colonial times. Some 6,500 civil servants are employed at state level in Patna, the capital of Bihar. An estimated 45 per cent of bureaucratic positions in Patna are currently vacant due to economic restrictions.

Rp Yadav (33), sub-inspector of police in Maner Block. India's weighty bureaucracy is an inheritance from British colonial times. Some 6,500 civil servants are employed at state level in Patna, the capital of Bihar. An estimated 45 per cent of bureaucratic positions in Patna are currently vacant due to economic restrictions.

People in the News,2nd prize