BJP’S one year in power: Policy paralysis is a thing of the past

New Delhi: One of the key issues that built a negative public perception against the UPA-2 government was that it was hit by major “policy paralysis”, largely on account of senior bureaucrats hesitating to take any major decisions and keeping crucial files pending. It was believed that the officers were reluctant to put things on the fast track in the wake of agencies like the CBI, ED and the CVC taking action against them in cases like the 2G as well as the CWG and coal scams.

Thus when Narendra Modi came to power, he immediately realised the importance to shake the bureaucracy out of its slumber if the government functioning was to be streamlined and decision-making was to be expedited.

Among the first few things Mr Modi did after assuming charge was to convene a high-level meeting of all the secretaries to government of India. The message to the top bureaucracy from the PM at this crucial meeting was simple: don’t hesitate to take decisions and the government will protect you if a genuine or bonafide decision goes wrong. The government ensured that agencies like CBI and ED do not victimise officers in the name of investigating cases.

Top officials claim that the NDA government has put in place enough measures to ensure that the bureaucracy works with greater freedom and if a decision goes wrong the officials will not be pulled pup for this even after he retires from service. Key officials in the PMO like national security adviser Ajit Doval and the PM’s principal secretary Nripendra Mishra worked overtime to see that bureaucrats got the much-needed boost of confidence from the government that was missing in the UPA-2 government in the wake of major scams.

On his part, the PM ensured that good and competent officers were rewarded for their hard work. For instance, he appointed tourism secretary Lalit K. Pawar immediately after he realised that he done his doctorate in tourism. The PM was suitably impressed by a presentation made by Mr Pawar as secretary, minority affairs, and when he got to know that he was doctorate in tourism he immediately posted him the ministry of tourism.

“There is a greater sense of confidence and urgency among the bureaucracy that this government not only means business, but will also protect them from any kind of harassment. The PM and his core team have worked overtime to ensure that things move fast among officers and the results are there for everyone to see as key issues like GST, land bill, spectrum and coal mine allocation were finalised in record time. Though some of these are now pending before Parliament,” a senior government official said.