There is no way to measure it. But opinions and views have it that most of the senior officials, particularly at the top level of secretaries, have stopped initiating ideas and plans. It is said many of them have got into a kind of tortoise-like defensive module even as they are steadfast in implementing and executing political decisions and orders. Clearly, they wish to avoid getting into the crosshairs of either the ruling or opposition parties.

Even though the situation may attract the politically-loaded charge of policy paralysis in governance, it has been the general norm among the officials before every national election to avoid getting into the mud-slinging campaigns of political parties.