- The Indian democratic form of governance derives its power as well as existence from the Constitutionally mandated guardians vis-à-vis the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary clearly demarcated with responsibilities to ensure they guard the rights bestowed. Especially, the role of the judiciary in interpreting the Constitution and enabling the flow of rights in an intended manner is indisputable. The onus to legislate laws of the land rests with the legislature and the executive is tasked to ensure the execution of the same in letter and spirit. No questions asked. Democracy is nothing but by the people, for the people, and of the people. A welfare state like India expects the motto of governance to be nothing short of serving the people with devotion.
PC: INDIA MATTERS
- For this to fructify, the bureaucratic diligence and active indulgence to execute laws of the land assume greater significance. But a sense of profound cynicism prevails among the citizens as the unholy nexus between the political bosses and bureaucratic machinery simply rules the roost defeating the purpose. The resultant outcome is the bane of corruption that has become an inalienable part of our existence. Despite monumental efforts to address this menace, successive governments are found wanting to root out deeply entrenched corruption leading to lacunas in the delivery of services. Compounding the matter is the inadequate number of administrators failing to ensure the welfare measures announced are reaching out to the intended beneficiaries.
- Moreover, India is an increasingly aspirational society aiming for the big. We are told the nation will be counted among the largest three economies in the world in the next few years. Further, with economic heft comes greater global engagement – hence the increase in the cadre strength of all the administrative positions is par for the course move. As reported, a parliamentary panel’s recommendation in the run-up to this observation that the Indian Foreign Service is short-staffed compared to foreign services of many other countries is interesting. What about other arms of the administration like the IAS and the IPS? Needless to mention, the long-awaited enhancement in IFS cadre strength should trigger another look at the nature of the Indian bureaucracy itself.
PC: en.wikipedia
- Mind you, the Indian bureaucracy encompasses all public employment. The first point to note is that the popular view of a bloated government is incorrect. India’s bureaucratic strength peaked in 1986 with 19,000 officials per million. That figure has trended downwards since and in the 1990s, government employment was about 2% of the population, below the Asian average of 2.6%. The bureaucracy, in cross-country comparison, is not big enough. The division of bureaucracy between three levels of government, Centre, states, and local, is a likely reason. Local governments distantly trail states and GOI in bureaucratic strength in the country. Indeed, complex policy conundrums need more bureaucratic recruitment with domain expertise at all levels.
