Streamlining government administration
Sunday, 13 September 2009
Iqbal Ahmed
The latest promotion given to some 494 government officials at one go was unprecedented in the annals of the administrative history of this country. Apparently, the move was inspired to meet a number of objectives such as satisfying the expectation of due promotions among the officers and to motivate them to do a better job thereof, to bridge anomalies in the postings and fitment in the administration and from these attainments to streamline the government as a whole for better performance.
But on closer scrutiny, it may be found out that the large scale promotions, instead of promoting these goals may have created more dissatisfactions, discontent and reduction of incentives to improve performance. In that case, the decision of mass promotion could be creating the grounds for more logjams in the administration when the outlook should be getting a harmonious and happy administration for its smooth functioning.
First of all, the promotions have created a situation when the efficacy of the administration stands to be affected from creating imbalances particularly at the mid sections. The promotions were given at the level of additional secretaries, joint secretaries and deputy secretaries. According to media reports, this has created a rather odd situation at the mid section of the administration with a greater number of officers with designated ranks against a smaller number of posts. Thus, there would be now 183 additional secretaries against 85 ready posts at that level, 494 joint secretaries against 355 posts and 1585 deputy secretaries against 865 posts. The administration may not be so much affected from overstaffing at the highest and lower levels. But it would be top heavy at the middle level.
These conditions may be addressed by keeping a large number of officers as officers on special duty (OSDs) till vacant posts are created for them or some of the ones already serving in such posts are themselves made OSDs to allow the present posts to be filled by the newly promoted ones. The other alternative could be creation of additional posts to absorb all the promoted ones. But both procedures could prove to be wasteful for the administration. As everyone knows, OSDs without duties to perform are like parasites uselessly taking salaries and enjoying other perks. The OSDs are also made on political grounds and as 'punishment' postings. Those made OSD do not at all like this. It does no good to increase their number. Unnecessary creation of posts to take care of a large number of promoted officers is also counterproductive from the standpoint of having a lean and cost efficient administration.
Then, grumblings are also heard and the same could be truly justified in many cases that the mass promotion process has bypassed the meritorious, the efficient and the deserving. The allegations are also that more than the above qualities, the main factor that guided the giving of this promotion was the political loyalty of the promoted ones. However, the basis of this allegation needs to be tested for its credibility. Nonetheless, there is hardly any need to explain why, if these allegations have any basis, the same could work more as strong disincentives rather than incentives in getting the improved performance from the administration as a whole.
What the country needs, above all, is a truly efficient government administration to serve the people impartially without fears and favours shown towards any quarter. The government administration must conform to these standards along with due accountability to be able to discharge its duties with greater efficiency. The present government leaders have also expressed similar opinion about achieving improved governance through a streamlined administration. It is now up to them to redeem their promises. Surely, the attitude that has been shown through this mass promotion of government officers smacks of carelessness. The same must be corrected through rethink and proper actions taken swiftly.
The latest promotion given to some 494 government officials at one go was unprecedented in the annals of the administrative history of this country. Apparently, the move was inspired to meet a number of objectives such as satisfying the expectation of due promotions among the officers and to motivate them to do a better job thereof, to bridge anomalies in the postings and fitment in the administration and from these attainments to streamline the government as a whole for better performance.
But on closer scrutiny, it may be found out that the large scale promotions, instead of promoting these goals may have created more dissatisfactions, discontent and reduction of incentives to improve performance. In that case, the decision of mass promotion could be creating the grounds for more logjams in the administration when the outlook should be getting a harmonious and happy administration for its smooth functioning.
First of all, the promotions have created a situation when the efficacy of the administration stands to be affected from creating imbalances particularly at the mid sections. The promotions were given at the level of additional secretaries, joint secretaries and deputy secretaries. According to media reports, this has created a rather odd situation at the mid section of the administration with a greater number of officers with designated ranks against a smaller number of posts. Thus, there would be now 183 additional secretaries against 85 ready posts at that level, 494 joint secretaries against 355 posts and 1585 deputy secretaries against 865 posts. The administration may not be so much affected from overstaffing at the highest and lower levels. But it would be top heavy at the middle level.
These conditions may be addressed by keeping a large number of officers as officers on special duty (OSDs) till vacant posts are created for them or some of the ones already serving in such posts are themselves made OSDs to allow the present posts to be filled by the newly promoted ones. The other alternative could be creation of additional posts to absorb all the promoted ones. But both procedures could prove to be wasteful for the administration. As everyone knows, OSDs without duties to perform are like parasites uselessly taking salaries and enjoying other perks. The OSDs are also made on political grounds and as 'punishment' postings. Those made OSD do not at all like this. It does no good to increase their number. Unnecessary creation of posts to take care of a large number of promoted officers is also counterproductive from the standpoint of having a lean and cost efficient administration.
Then, grumblings are also heard and the same could be truly justified in many cases that the mass promotion process has bypassed the meritorious, the efficient and the deserving. The allegations are also that more than the above qualities, the main factor that guided the giving of this promotion was the political loyalty of the promoted ones. However, the basis of this allegation needs to be tested for its credibility. Nonetheless, there is hardly any need to explain why, if these allegations have any basis, the same could work more as strong disincentives rather than incentives in getting the improved performance from the administration as a whole.
What the country needs, above all, is a truly efficient government administration to serve the people impartially without fears and favours shown towards any quarter. The government administration must conform to these standards along with due accountability to be able to discharge its duties with greater efficiency. The present government leaders have also expressed similar opinion about achieving improved governance through a streamlined administration. It is now up to them to redeem their promises. Surely, the attitude that has been shown through this mass promotion of government officers smacks of carelessness. The same must be corrected through rethink and proper actions taken swiftly.