ESSAY
Was
it policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth
of our country?
I.
Introduction
II.
Policy paralysis Versus paralysis of
implementation
III.
How and why paralysis in
implementation leads to low growth
IV.
Policy paralysis or bottlenecks in
implementation giving a blow to ‘Reporting and Reviewing
V.
Lack of Fund and financial management
VI.
Lack of monitoring
VII.
Paralysis in implementation lacks
growth and other effects
VIII.
Conclusion: Effective implementation
is progressive milestone for growth
I.
Introduction
India is credited
with the largest democracy in the world. It frames policy for its people. This is
not a simple task. Policy framing for diverse cultural people in the realm of
socio-political and economical issues is heavier tasks.
With a open
heart we have to accept that our policies are best in the world. The ‘democratic
credentials’ are corner stones of our policy. And it’s because of this
democratic credentials we can highly reward our policies.
Policies are
very well linked to growth. This is due to its application in the field. More importantly,
application or implementation of our policy by designated agencies. If the
problems are rest with implementation agencies then it has far reaching impact on
growth. This upcoming essay explains that yes, there is a paralysis in
implementation of policy which leads to low growth.
II.
Policy paralysis Versus paralysis of
implementation
In the news
article, if there are some corruption charges or scam related charges appears,
the media readily blame it on the policy paralysis. One has to realize that if
policies are “Fungus” the paralysis in implementation are “Scum”. This is to
say that as has been already acknowledged we have no problem with the policy
making but we have a severe problem with the problems in the course of
implementation.
A common
observer, very well understand that at times both the policy framers and policy
implementers would blame each other for failing in successful execution. This is a paradox. But a closer concentration
would reveal that policy implementation are real problematic and be bottleneck
for successful implementation.
The following
example would exercise a right over this argument;
Mahatma
Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGA) is by far the
biggest and successful scheme in recent times. At the field level it engrossed a
successful tenure when it was approached for the first time.
Every one
knows that MNREGS is a successful scheme. At the same time, we still see in
newspapers on the news of corruption, mishandling, low payment, using machinery
and fake account holders etc.
So the real
paradox is this;
Side I (Policy framers)
|
Side II (Implementers)
|
Policy
framed well
|
Well
implemented because it was well framed
|
Effective
auditing happens
|
Fund
mishandling happens
|
A pro
poor view
|
Marauding
funds even from poor
|
In a same way, other economic
activities and its implementation are strained due to paralysis of
implementation that paves way for slow growth.
III.
How and why paralysis in
implementation leads to low growth
First of all,
let us understand a simple real time situation. A chef in a hotel prepares
tasty menu. It has been acknowledged by many. But of late, there has been a
decline in customers. After many encounters with finding out the reasons,
finally found that the problems rest with the servers. They are not trained
well to please customers satisfactorily.
The observation
illustrates one thing clearly, it is the one who deliver the benefits to the beneficiary
must/should be trained in such a way that he delivers successful and without
any impediments.
At the national level, the budget allots money to
various schemes. Besides tax collection, yearnings, the government disinvests
its undertakings, gather money. This is really a heavier tasks of all. But, the
people at the implementation level would not understand the sincerity of the
issue and tend to be customary.
The second
most important thing is that the people at the implementing stage must realize the
importance of their duty. This realization should happen taking in to
consideration the national growth.
India had
many experiences in countering paralysis in implementation. Realizing this at
the top level the policy framing mechanism are given more importance. Its been
done with due care. Planning commission’s encounter with the states in coming
with results after every Five Year Plan, is a case may be stated.
When the Special Economic Zones
(SEZ) created, there had been hope that it would transform Indian manufacturing
dream becoming a ‘Hub”. But, it is not realised. Incidents like this make another
opportunity for the policy implementers to cast a reason and block development.
IV.
Policy paralysis or bottlenecks in implementation
giving a blow to ‘Reporting and Reviewing
‘Reporting
and Reviewing’ are tow corner stones of implementing agencies. While the customary
formats, Performa, and methods play their own misery its is heightened when
implementation give false information,
False reporting
and false implementation leas to the other way of approach to planning and
agencies that leads to countering growth.
The importance
of this particular issue must be understood in a larger picture. The planners
at the governments are well equipped to plan and envisage ‘only’ based on the inputs
that they get from the policy implementers.
Across the realms Viz.,
Socio-economic and political if the policy of false reporting. Mis-representation
and improper reviewing continues then we will only have a slow growth.
V.
Lack of fund and financial management
Although a paralysis
in implementation are backed by many reason such as indiscipline, corruption, mismanagement,
a large part goes to finance and its effective management.
This,
financial ill-management happens in two ways;
1.
Authorised
way: when the officials transfer fund from one account to another to meet
scarcity of fund. Hence, less privileged schemes are put down in term of
importance. Some times money transferred like this goes un spend to the purpose
to which it has been authourised.
2.
Unauthourised
route: this happens when there is a corruption, wastage of money.
VI.
Lack of monitoring
The work - monitoring system in Indian government set
up has to be strengthened. It should be strengthened akin to private sector’s
emphasis on task completion.
When a field
level implementation delay in submitting reports or task completion they are
often given more time. If there a legitimate reason behind such excuse once
could accept. But, many times it happens as a excuse.
The above
tendency must be changed. The officials at the field level must be pit under a
strong monitoring whereby they have to
update their activities to the designated authorities from time to time.
Hence, here, the government has to
give emphasis from ‘appraising’ to ‘update’ when it comes to task completion.
VII.
Paralysis in implementation lacks
growth and other effects:
The problem,
bottlenecks, hindrances while implementing proper policy leads to;
1.
Precious
fund being wasted
2.
Man
power resources mishandled and waste3d
3.
Government
and budgeting nexus.
4.
Creates
a culture of indecisiveness and inefficiency
All
the above problems of the policy implementation, which are often led by
paralysis in the system pull down growth.
VIII.
Conclusion: Effective implementation
is progressive milestones for growth
Clearly, from the above argument, it
is evident that its not paralysis of policy which leads to low growth but the
paralysis in implementation. Hence, its better change the present form of
culture of ‘paralysis of implementation’ to ‘performance in implementation.
*****
Author:
Kannan Periyanayagam
Note: The
views expressed in the essay are author’s own. And further any addition or
correction are welcome to kannajee2000@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment