| Published on 07-02-2007 In National |
| Viewed 1061 times |
| A study of governance methods (Part 15) |
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Written by
Bharadwaj |
Political procrastinations on files
We have already seen how delay in the disposal of files have resulted in major impediments in the path of fructification of government schemes. Though the delay has innumerable reasons, the main ones are the varying approaches to the issue by Chief Ministers and their working styles. I had detailed how MGR was accused of rendering files immobile. His continued absence at the secretariat was one of the main reasons for that state of affairs. Whenever Kalaignar Karunanidhi was [and is] the Chief Minister, he punctually visits the secretariat.
MGR's residence was situated at Ramavaram – which is a place beyond Guindy – ensconced amidst a cluster of trees. Today the city has extended beyond that point. But during MGR's lifetime, his residence was well off the beaten track.
MGR always stayed in his farmhouse. He had approximately 5 assistants. One of them was a private secretary – an IAS officer. All of them were forced to set up their offices in MGR's residence. Though all of them were at MGR's beck and call, it is said that they couldn't meet him for days on end.
Why talk about officials? Even ministers couldn't meet MGR. The late finance minister Nedunchezhiyan, who was the number two in the then cabinet, had the mortification of visiting the farmhouse and returning without meeting the CM. Finally, on one occasion, it is said that the FM could only talk to MGR on the intercom phone despite their being under the same roof.
Even during that exercise, MGR had the habit of disconnecting the link. Officials had the sad duty of pointing out to the FM that the red light on the instrument was no longer glowing. "Sir, your conversation with the CM has ended for the day," was the refrain of the officials.
The habit of being in the office regularly, completing the statutory tasks satisfactorily, reading every file, seeking the advice of officials whenever undecipherable passages crop up, understanding their nuances properly, discussing the matter with close friends to distinguish between right and wrong to take a firm decision – aren't traits of everyone at all times. If one believes that it is routine, it would be to one's chagrin. All these are habits cultivated over one's lifetime. In matters of psychology, these traits are termed internalising habits.
Those who have managed to obtain a graduate's degree in education would innately possess the trait of handling office work. The reason for that is the training given to such people in schools and colleges. Reading books and guides on a day-to-day basis, comprehending what has been read, analysing what has been read in a detailed manner, and repeating them in one's own language whenever needed, contributes to one's discipline in such matters. Some parents complain that 'our son doesn't stay put at one place while studying.' We have also heard of students failing in examinations due a lack of grasping power. Therefore, a political leader's handicap in these matters due to an absence of the combination of all these needn't surprise us.
If we had paid attention to what had happened in our neighbouring Andhra Pradesh under the late Chief Minister N. T. Rama Rao's rule, internalising work habits can be better explained.
When NTR became Chief Minister, he began wearing an ochre coloured dress, sported a single ear stud, got up at 2 am in the night and had his breakfast and discussed all official matters with his bureaucrats at 4 am.
Chief Minister Karunanidhi is very clear and prompt in these matters. The main reason for that is that he has the habit of reading newspapers and notes with concentration even when he is not in power, discussing matters of mutual importance with party colleagues and political allies and releasing press statements punctually on every issue. Those who have worked with him always have only praise for his speedy decisions. Former minister Rahman Khan once said, "Our leader always writes his statements and orders them to be immediately typed. Even as we emerge out of his room and give it to the typist for expediting the work, we would get a polite reminder about completing it quickly."
Quick decisions needn't be always correct. But indecision has been the bane of the political leadership of Tamil Nadu resulting in stagnation of files. This has been a bitter experience for bureaucrats in this state. When the late Congress leader Kamaraj was the party's president, he encountered groupism under the premiership of late Indira Gandhi on the issue of Social Control of Banks. Despite this handicap, Kamaraj [who hadn't been educated beyond school level] invited economists and held discussions with them for two days in the relevant matters.
Chief Minister Kalaignar seeks detailed clarifications from his subordinate officials in the government on almost every issue. If he has a very small doubt concerning a file, he would invite the secretary of the department and discuss the matter with him/her. If the official is clever and articulate, the CM would take note of it and look for opportunities to promote him/her at the earliest to post the official in a vital position. Whenever cabinet meetings are held, the CM would come prepared after having gone through the agenda carefully.
If some of his cabinet colleagues come unprepared, Karunanidhi is known for ticking them off. Therefore, it is not an uncommon sight to see ministers going through the agenda and its relevant files as though preparing for a school examination on the eve of each such meeting. No doubt these are vital signs of a good administration.
Thus, we now know that there were some CMs who do not have the habit of concentrating on their files and dither while taking decisions. The reason for all these is their work culture.
There is another aspect to the whole thing. In case the CM isn't comfortable with reading the note file in detail, there are instances of officials appending a smaller note in big letters for the perusal of the Chief Minister. Such notes can concern a vital decision of any department or other plan/policy decisions. These files can be complicated at times. Paraphrasing them to a comprehensive but short note is an art one learns in college if one's medium of instruction is English.
In many examinations, including IAS tests, paraphrasing is a challenging subject. The only question is whether the [head] clerk in the secretariat or his/her superintendent will carry it to the satisfaction of all concerned and will it result in the correct decision.
(Translated by TSV Hari) |
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