Public Administration in Ancient India c13.28

c13.28

It is an astonishing fact that although these ‘reporters’ performed duties of a mean and despicable nature, they were generally honest and truthful. But Chānakya warns Ministers against putting implicit faith in their reports. “When the information,” says he, “derived from three independent sources is the same, then it shall be held reliable. If the sources differ, the ‘reporters’ concerned shall be either punished or dismissed.” ¹