Administrative Reforms PDF Print E-mail
Economics
Written by Mahesh Prasad   

How Much revolutionary?

Considering the failure of the country's civil servants as well as the Government, to give to the citizens of this country, a clean and honest administration, administrative reforms had become a necessity. But, how far will these reforms as proposed by the Administrative Reforms Commission in its report, revamp the system and not remain a mere rhetoric, is a big question.

The report of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission is out. As per reports, the recommendations are said to be far reaching, in a way radical and revolutionary. To my mind, however, they need deep thinking and appraisal based on the overall atmosphere in the country.

The most salient recommendation is that there should be review of the overall fitness and performance of a civil servant first after 14 years and then after 20 years. On the second review if one is found unfit or nonperforming, then, he/she should be checked off. And, there should be a clear provision in the Service Rules to this effect so that the incumbents are fully aware that their service would last for twenty years only and afterwards extension would depend on their performance.

On the face of it, this provision appears to be laudable and a guarantee ensuring integrity and performance. But, on deep analysis, this might not prove to be as per the expectations. The current situation is such that, right from day one, the civil servants start acquiring hordes of money and super-luxuries of life using their power and position. If they are unsure of the continuance of their service, in all likelihood there is a possibility they will be tempted to accumulate as much wealth as they can within their assured short tenure. This because, once they are out of the services, they might not be able to find for themselves an equally prestigious source of employment and so would want to earn for their rainy days while in the civil services.

Of course, there will also be some who will guard their future through better conduct and performance. But, such cases are likely to be exceptions and not the rule.

One of the news item on the reforms, reveals that there is stacked 1.456 trillion $ (70 lakh crore) as black money in some foreign banks. Swiss/German authorities are just willing to impart details provided a request is made by the Government of India. Though it is unbelievable that GOI is unaware of it, yet, no request is being made in this regard. Interestingly, the amount, which is 13 times of our foreign debt, belongs to dishonest industrialists, scandalous politicians, corrupt civil servants and similar other powerful functionaries. This colossal loot indicates that there is some problem with the mindset and  how and why the limited tenure alone, will redress the problem of gross inefficiency and rank corruption, is a big question?

From the ARC Report, it is not clear whether the term 'civil servant' addresses only officers or also includes class III officers i.e. the real babus? We all have experienced that for any routine work, the common man first encounters this class. And,in fact, it is this class that wields real power. In one write-up through Prout's columns, the writer had brought out the stagnancy and inefficiency in offices due to the abnormality of 'Ist raters with third raters'. It is hoped that Moily's report is inclusive and not exclusive.

Reduction in maximum age limit and number of attempts for appearing in Civil Services Examination was long awaited, as the outer limits, as they are, were introduced without thought and lacked pragmatism.

Another good recommendation is the introduction of a 'bridge course' in public administration for the candidates of technical disciplines; and also that of a formal degree course in public policy and management in the higher education curriculum before appearing in the Civil Services Examination. This will eliminate dependence on heavy coaching which has been turning out spoon-fed officers rather than those with real merit. This will also curtail the trend of doctors, engineers churned out of highly specialised and heavily subsidised institutes going to civil services for higher bucks.

On 09/01/009, a news item was published in TOI that Rs 1.7 crores is spent on the training of an MBBS doctor in AIIMS! So also must be in prestigious IITs. Is it not a waste of public money that the talent and services so many engineers and doctors goes into some other direction while our country fights with shortage of health professionals and technocrats.

Other important recommendations are about mandatory training required at the time of induction and then periodically. Mandatory training is also recommended before each promotion and individual evaluation thereafter. Emphasis has also been laid on post-school grooming system for civil services aspirants. For this, it is recommended that selected Central Universities be prepared to offer graduate level programmes in public administration. In this regard, it has also been conceived that a National Institute of Public administration will be started,which will run a bachelor's degree course in public administration.

From the above and various other recommendations, it appears that the Moily Panel was, rather, obsessed with training (and that too mainly academic) at different levels and the worth of a Babu to be judged, on the evaluation thereof.

No doubt, training is of paramount importance, but this alone does not inculcate integrity, sincerity or dedication in an officer nor does it motivate him to fight against wrong and injustice which are the hallmark in public service. Training merely prepares a person for handling a subject or an issue but does not and cannot imbibe in him/her the desired values. These can only be assessed through one's own performance in the field for a pretty long time and ingrained through encouragement of the right and discouragement of the wrong. Here lies the genius of the selector. No HOD, Minister or Governor is expected to handle all work under his charge; but, he/she is surely expected to put a round peg in a round hole. If they are incapable to do even that, as is the unfortunate position today, it is their incompetence and here lies the crunch!

And on what basis and on whose assessment, the reviews after 14 years  or 20 years will be made? Probably, on the basis of ACRs or the report of the immediate superiors. Nothing can be said of the Armed Forces; they have cultivated an almost foolproof system. Moreover, they have no exposure to public problems. However, in civil services, the ACRs are most deceptive pieces of assessment. They are generally based on the whims, and prejudices or the services rendered by the sub-ordinates. This is the reason why even charlatans have found top places while the country is down with degeneration, decay and corruption and despite economic boom, its bureaucracy, police, judicial process  have become non-performing.

The writer has written a book in Hindi: 'Sankat aur Samadhan' published in 2005 in which comprehensive suggestions have been given as to how the entire gamut of public services can be revamped. In the author's opinion, selection and appointment to higher services from District Magistrate onwards should be made from all those, whether in govt. or private, who have already an experience of fifteen years in any administrative capacity through a questionnaire, interview or so and not on the basis of rigorous examination of their academic achievements, as is being done at the moment and also not disturbed by the Moily Panel.

That there should be a powerful Constitutional Authority to look after their postings, transfers, promotions, even disciplinary actions and punishments thereafter and other service matters insulated from political interference for such officers of higher cadre. Unless the leaders in service are made fairly independent and insulated from the vagaries of political wrath, no measures or training as contemplated by the ARC can deliver the goods.