The
Modi Government has taken another far reaching step in opening up 10 positions
of joint secretaries to competent and well qualified individuals from the
private and public sector.
Private
sector individuals are brought in to top Government jobs in several countries
with excellent results. There is no reason why this should not be done in India
as well.
The
posts advertised are in the areas of financial services, agriculture, economic
affairs, revenue, commerce, civil aviation, shipping, climate change and road
transport and highway. These positions have so far, been the preserve of
individuals who have joined the service through the Union Public Service
Commission through competitive examinations.
This
move will undoubtedly, result in a serious pushback from the powerful IAS
lobby. The message to the IAS should be that these are complementary skills
being brought in to supplement the already overburdened bureaucracy. They have
largely delivered a reasonably credible work environment and have provided
checks and balances in a large country like India.
But
the IAS has also had its fair share of challenges, given their need for
political patronage to move ahead in their careers.
Senior
lawyers have been brought is Attorney Generals at the Central and State levels
and politically connected individuals are brought in as diplomats for sensitive
countries. While specialised recruitment in the Government exists in the areas
of taxation, customs, posts and telegraphs and banking, most other areas are
deemed to be the preserve of the IAS officers.
It
is assumed that no job is complex or challenging for an IAS officer.
They
believe that once they have qualified as an IAS officer, they can move
seamlessly from preparing the financial budgets of a state to building roads to
developing a credible health plan to managing airports and running airlines.
And if they are liked by the political party in power, it does not matter what
their prior experience maybe. They can pick any role they want!
The
“bureaucracy,” which according to some have kept the wheels of Government
functioning despite the political uncertainties, has also been responsible for
the ridiculous delays is decision making and for holding back progressive
Governments because it does not suit their interests.
The
famous British television serial “Yes Minister” and its sequel “Yes Prime
Minister” where the politician is merely a puppet in the hands of the mighty
bureaucrat exemplifies the dangers of an over powerful bureaucracy!
Let
us examine the positives of such a step for our country:
1. Highly
qualified professionals in specialised areas will bring in the much needed
skills to sensitive and specialized ministries without relying on the
generalist “know all” IAS bureaucrats. The induction of such individuals will
also open up many more related skills for the Government from the private
sector.
2. These
individuals will bring in fresh thinking and will not carry any baggage from
their past roles or from the political masters they have served.
3. Private
sector individuals will be financially more secure and therefore, hopefully,
much less prone to corruption and political influence.
4. Since
these individuals will have a fixed three year term, the Government of the day
will be able to hold them accountable to deliver on what is expected from them.
If they do not perform, their contracts can be terminated and they can be
replaced with fresh thinking as opposed to the IAS officer who cannot be fired
easily.
5. The
private sector will get a closer look at the functioning of the bureaucracy and
this will go a long way in bridging the gaps in understanding of these very
different careers.
6. The
shortfall in the numbers of the IAS service can be supplemented through this
process.
The
Government must ensure that only the most competent are selected into these
roles because only strong individuals will be able to stand up to the hundreds
of bureaucrats who will surround them once they start work. The vetting process
must be done meticulously. Only the best and the brightest must be brought in. Support
must be given by the political masters to ensure that this experiment does not
fail because no political party will be able to push this through again if this
does not work.
Retired
Government officials have found lucrative jobs in the private sector and some
of delivered excellent results. The reverse opportunity has now been made
available.
Only
10 positions have been opened up and if this works, more spots can be made
available. It should not become the subject of endless debates in Parliament
and a rallying cry for the disjointed opposition.
The
challenges faced by the first few batches of such lateral recruits will be significant.
Individuals who put their hand up for this service will be stepping onto an
unfamiliar turf at significantly lower salaries. Their superiors, peers and
subordinates from the IAS and related services will do everything in their
power to ensure that they fail. Therefore, in order to make this succeed, they
must get the support of the Government.
This
cross pollination will help the country in bringing about the much needed mix
of different skill sets in different roles.
This
is a welcome step and must be supported.
*******************
The author is the founder Chairman of
Guardian Pharmacies. A keen political observer, he is an Angel Investor and
Executive Coach. He is the author of 5 best-selling books, Reboot. Reinvent.
Rewire: Managing Retirement in the 21st Century; The Corner Office; An Eye for
an Eye; The Buck Stops Here - Learnings of a #Startup Entrepreneur and The Buck
Stops Here – My Journey from a Manager to an Entrepreneur.
Twitter: @gargashutosh
Instagram: ashutoshgarg56
Blog: ashutoshgargin.wordpress.com |
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