The above questions of Raju assumes significance, as citizens' movements are getting stronger day by day, and political parties are promising strict action against corrupt government officials.
Let’s see what Vani aunt has to say about this!
“Raju, let’s first understand why these nine lives for officials. In the private sector, the decision to dismiss a staff may be taken at two levels, a proposal and an acceptor. But, in government, it takes almost 5-6 levels to take the final call. And at each level there is a delay due to inefficiency in the system. This can be reduced to just 2 levels by governments.
But, the government seem to hesitate, as it will obviously upset employee associations. The associations may go on strike, disrupting public work. Hence the popularly elected governments don’t want to take a chance! Now, we have to wait and see, if parties like AAP catch the bull by the horn and amend the rules!
Citizens too, have a role to play by complaining about those officials who are corrupt or inefficient, rather than putting up with them or turning a blind eye, for whatsoever reasons. If every lapse of officials are taken seriously and brought to the public forum, it will act as a deterrent. It’s much easier and effective to do that with social media all around! However will we start doing it?”
“Aunty, why can’t the government recruit good people, to start with?”
“Good question! For just that purpose, we have the Public Service Commissions, who are mandated with recruiting the best for government service. UPSC for union government and State PSCs for state government. But, then it’s unfortunate that most of the state PSCs have lost their credibility. It’s high time that the governments ensures complete independence and professionalism in these agencies. Sadly, the government want to retain control over these agencies. Here too, again, I am waiting for new age governments like AAP to amend rules to make public service commissions 100% independent.”
“Hmm. I understand. Aunty, what percentage of the government officials,do you think, are bad?”
“Ah, that’s a difficult question to answer. But, going by the normal curve, and giving some bias for inherent problems in the selection process and working environment, one can say that 30% of them are quite bad, 50% of them are fence sitters who will be good or bad depending on the environment, and another 20% who are really good irrespective of the environment.”
“What is this environment thing you are referring to, Aunty?”
“Oh, that is the system in which they work Raju. It includes the incentive-disincentive system. It is very critical that, we should have a fair and strong incentive and disincentive system for employees in any organisation.
But, it’s extremely unfortunate that in the government, where one would expect top class incentive-disincentive system, this system is practically non-functional! Incentives are almost non-existent, and disincentives are hard to impose, as we saw just now!
There are no monetary incentives! Other incentives like promotions are given periodically to all, irrespective of their performance. So, the motivational levels are quite low in the government. It is a mystery as to why the government is not able to copy best practices in this aspect from the market! I guess no government wants to touch issues concerned with employee associations! Ah, I don’t want to pull the AAP again into this, although I am tempted to!
Environment also includes the culture that is maintained by the top boss. If the top is clean, than people at the bottom think twice before getting involved in brazen acts. At the same time, a clean person at the top does not automatically ensure stoppage of corruption, as the top boss in government has less control over his subordinates, compared to his counterpart in the private sector!”
“Can’t we discuss with employee associations Aunty? They too must have good people in it?! ”
You are right Raju! No organization or association is entirely good or bad! It is as good or bad as its members are! Now, the members also have their set of grievances. The working conditions are quite bad in government! Now, do you see this office?! Would any private company work in such a bad office?! In most offices, the furniture are old, and even the toilets are non-existent! There is a severe shortages of officials in departments! No recruitment has happened since decades!
So, there is a need for dialogue. The government needs to listen to the associations and improve the working conditions of the employees. while the government spends a large proportion of the available funds towards the public capital works, it spends inadequately on its own employees! While the capital expenditure on the public is increasing every year, the revenue expenditure moves at snail’s pace, or a fixed raise of 5%, which hardly suffices to take care of inflation! So, if we do not take care of the employees, then how can we expect them to work and take care of the public?”
Before Raju could ask his next question, the Shanbhag came out of his room. He was surprised to see both of them still sitting there. “Manju, why are they still sitting here? What happened?”
Before his man-Friday Manju could say anything, Aunty intervened. “Shanbhag sir, I am Mrs. Murthy. You may remember Mr. Murthy, who recently retired as Additional Regional Commissioner. He said he knows you.”
“What??! ARC Murthy sir?!! Madam, why didn't you tell me this earlier?!! Oh please sit down! Goodness!” The Shanbhag's face glowed, and he was clearly overwhelmed!
“Madam, please come inside and sit! Please!!! Manju, will you please get some thing to drink and some samosa? Oh Madam, Murthy sir has been so good! Such a nice officer! You know, when I was implicated in a false case, it was Murthy sir, who closed the file, when the earlier officials demanded money from me to close it! He cleared so many pending cases for others too! He is a gem of a person. Now, please tell me what can I do for you?”
Raju was so shocked even to respond!
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(To be continued on a relaxed Sunday!)
Group P.14.R1 Question Bank: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Arz-HE3ckdnWdDFqd1AwN0RaWHc1UkRQejRna09DOWc#gid=0
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