Governance paralysis

I don't remember, over the past year if there was any decision taken by the Government that was not torn into by the opposition. I am not talking about the central Government, even various state Government and local bodies. Ever since we have taken the word "corruption" seriously and have been tearing into our administrators for alleged misappropriation of funds, no one seems to be willing to take any kind of administrative decisions. At every level, bureaucrats and politicians are stalling important projects just to ensure that they are not flouting any rules; also, if any of their decision can be misconstrued as an act of ommission or commission. Today its a sad state of affairs where most of the politicians who are corrupt are daring the system and making money and the few honest ones are scared to take decisions because they don't wish to be embroiled into controversies that do not exist. Today, in high inflationary times, the most cheap item is reputation of other person. We have stooped to a level wherein we can tarnish any one's image with few allegations and when proved wrong, nothing is done to make good for the damage caused. Gone are the days when people and institutions were responsible for their words and deeds alike. Today, cut and run seems to be the order of the day.



Let me state a relevant example. Couple of days ago, my room mate walks into my room and says " Dude! the PM is indicted in the 2G scam". I was shocked to the core. From the days I have followed politics in India, I have never seen or heard anyone questioning the intent and conduct of Dr. Manmohan Singh, as a bureaucrat; as a Reserve bank Governor; as Minister of Finance or most recently as the Prime Minister. Even if you line up a thousand people Indians or otherwise; layman or world leaders; politicians or economists, it would be difficult to find a single person who would question the integrity of Dr. Manmohan Singh. People may question his style or differ with his policies, but not one would say he is corrupt. For all practical purposes, he is like Yudhisthira, above all this mess. So you can understand my concern when I heard about his indictment by a court of law. My belief in goodness was shaken to the core. When I switched on the television, no doubt there was a ticker "PM indicted in 2G scam..". After watching the news for the next 15 minutes, it dawned upon me that some accused in the 2G scam (who was a former Minister) had, in his defense to the charges said that a few of the decisions were taken keeping the Prime Minister in the loop. He conveniently hid the fact that the parts discussed with the Prime Minister were later changed by him and this event caused the financial loss. I do not understand the word "indictment" in this context. Are we using a defense used by an accused to tarnish the image of our PM? Was the news channel unaware of the meaning of the word "indict"? The journalists who are crafty with words when it deals with people's reputation are very careful when they defend themselves. The ticker ran the entire night despite being pointed out by several legal luminaries that the word "indict" in this context is outlandish. Be that as it may, there was no regret expressed either, they simply moved on leaving scores of us with the impression that the CBI court had indicted the PM of wrong doing.



We Indians were known for blatant breach of privacy, now we are also using our media for slandering and rumour mongering. With everyday that's passing by, so many skeletons are tumbling out of the cupboard about how media is being used to settle political scores, it has become imperative that we rein them in. My prayer to the Supreme court of India would be, "Your honor, I know we are a free country with certain rights which are fundamental so far as they don't impinge upon the fundamental rights of others. If we allow media to slander and tarnish reputations with impunity by upholding their "freedom of speech", the people whose right to live with respect which is being wrongly trampled upon, should be compensated for the loss". Like the ancient Greece, we must hold the messengers accountable to the words that slip out of their mouth. If slandering the judiciary can amount to "contempt" and the person faces punishment, we must also hold people making light comments about major institutions like the President, the Prime Minister, the CAG, the Parliament, the CVC and CBI in "contempt" and if proven frivolous, the person must face punitive action for misusing the "freedom of speech".



I would like to state at the outset, constructive criticism must be always welcome. My problem is with the TRP hungry media who manufacture 'headlines" to capture eyeballs. In many cases, there is hardly any link between the headlines and the content. I object to criticism of the nature where you attach motives where none exist. I agree the Government is answerable to the people as they are our custodians and as tax payers we should question them. The way we frame these questions is very important. When a journalist with no experience of economics or finance whose only exposure to the banks is while he withdraws funds from ATM, sits in judgement of a policy decision made by people who have spent entire life in economics, and makes light of it, it insults my intelligence and the intent of those making these decisions. If every aspect of my day to day work has to explained at the end of the day to a dimwit who then suggests you alternatives and attaches mala-fide intent, I would be pissed off. I would rather avoid taking a decision and procrastinate every small decision for fear that if I go wrong, it would not be a honest mistake, it would be a "colourful" scam. Today this fear has gripped our bureaucracy and politicians. People whom we have elected to take decisions on our behalf are doubting their ability to make the said decisions. There are people who suggest having a referendum on all decisions but they constitute a dumb minority who have given up on the system we have. The only reason Mumbai could not get CCTV surveillance was because no one wanted to take a call on which company to tender for procurement. No one wanted to be blamed for receiving illegal gratification because they chose A instead of B. In the end, the city of Mumbai loses out on security apparatus. My point is, in the process to make them accountable, don't go to the extent of micro management that it becomes impossible to make day-to-day administrative decisions.



My favourite quote by Dr. Manmohan Singh (PM, India) to the bureaucrats, "If 5 out of 10 decisions taken by you are proven right post-facto, you are doing an excellent job". We need to let it be known that humans are supposed to err and many times when you make a policy decisions, you do not have all facts in front of you. Yet you take tough decisions, some of them work out some others fail. As long as your intent was clear, you should not fear taking decisions. I hope this message is being passed on by the political bosses to the bureaucrats working under them, cos if they don't, governance will be crippled and the India story will have an unnatural death.


So long...