Shifting Haryana’s offices

  THE Haryana government’s inclination to shift out of Chandigarh and Panchkula some of its departments is welcome (Nov. 22). But the political leadership has obviously not understood that if there is anything the bureaucracy in India has mastered, it is its unfailing ability to protect its own interests. The idea of leaving the environs of Chandigarh to settle in another city will obviously not be appealing for reasons most of which are only personal.

The excellent article by Mr D.R. Chaudhry, “Top heavy Haryana” (Nov. 21), tells the true story of how the “state” has contributed to bleeding the “state” of its limited resources. As Chaudhry has said, the number of gazetted officers in Haryana has increased 6.5 times from 2033 in 1966 to 13225 in 1996. A vast number of new posts, designations with associated perks of the supporting staff have contributed to mocking the state’s finances. Thus, of Rs 4,337 crore revenue receipts (1997-98), Haryana would be spending Rs 3796.77 crore on the salaries of its staff alone, (post revision).

It is about time Haryana delinked the capital issue from the complicated Punjab web. Ignoring regional chauvinism, Haryana has never had any hold over Chandigarh — culturally, economically, politically and socially. While no survey or such study is available, it could be suggested that not more than 15 per cent of Chandigarh’s residents are “rooted” in Haryana. Panchkula was developed as a satellite town. It would be a great folly and even betrayal if it was ever visualised as an alternative capital for Haryana.

But things being what they are, particularly the finances involved and the political complications, a new capital for the state can only be a distant dream. The next best option is what the present Chief Minister appears to have suggested — the shifting of select offices to different places in the state. The principal objective of administration is to be meaningful and convenient, not for the administrators but for those for whom it exists.

The point, however, remains that if Haryana is to develop in a balanced manner, its resources will have to be equitably distributed. The best way of doing it would, of course, be a new centrally located capital, and within the present limitations the “transfer of significance”, which is associated with various offices, should be to different parts of the state. Kurukshetra, for example, with its vast infrastructure of free community kitchens and Dharamshalas, its central location, excellent road and rail connections, would be ideal for offices like the Public Service Commission. Bhiwani could also be home to many departments as also Hisar. Where is the reason for the Haryana Financial Corporation to be stationed in Chandigarh when 80 per cent of its loans are distributed in Panipat, Faridabad and Gurgaon. The same would apply to a large number of other departments.

The issue of a new capital is something upon which the ruling politicians need to put their heads together. After all, if Haryana gains, how can they be losers?

RAGHUVENDRA TANWAR (Prof)
Kurukshetra

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Survival in political jungle

Mr P.H. Vaishnav deserves to be complimented for his brilliant article, “Survival in political jungle: district executives under fire” (The Tribune, Dec 22), highlighting the abrupt “Patiala transfers” following the eruption of the much-publicised Badal-Tohra feud and thus pinpointing the dismal state of affairs increasingly plaguing the state’s politico-administrative front. The article seems to hold good viz-a-viz most of the states in the country.

No doubt, the administrative set-up in the states has, over the years, suffered “progressive enfeeblement”, thanks largely to the mindless politicisation of the “services”. The remarkable thing about the matter is that the politicians – the villain of the piece – seem least bothered about the gloomy development; what matters for them the most, it appears, is the retrace for powers, pelf and position.

Postings and transfers of employees these days are used more as a means to “tame” them than to ensure smooth’efficient administrative functioning. Whereas the sycophants are rewarded with plum postings, the upright officers/officials are simply humiliated and sidelined.

Rather than hold out against the odds, the bureaucrats, by and large, seem to have opted to swim along with the current; may be as a strategy to survive in the “political jungle”. Their plight, however, seems pitiable.

The tribe of civil servants who would maintain their morale even when the going happens to be exceedingly tough seems on the verge of extinction. Under the circumstances, the tottering system is bound to collapse sooner than later, yielding place to stark anarchy. Let the powers that be beware!

TARA CHAND
Ambota (Una)

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Crisis management

This refers to Mr K.F. Rustamji’s “High prices” (Dec 26). With a pseudoideal of democracy and a shallow concern for national welfare, our political leadership, by and large, believes in escapism. We have no long-term plans for crisis management in politico-economic and administrative sectors. Adhocism is our watchword as we avoid and postpone a definite action. Ironically our state is like that of the proverbial pigeon which closes its eyes to escape the wrath of the cat.

Hence we are caught napping everytime a disaster takes place. We prefer to remain blissfully ignorant of our growing problems till they shake us out of our slumber with catastrophic effect. Our sense of discipline is so impaired and the desire to enforce law so weak that we hardly raise an eyebrow at the corrupt and criminals making a mockery of the whole law-enforcement system.

Ironically, “outstanding parliamentarian” Jaipal Reddy of the Janata Dal in a TV interview said that there was nothing wrong if the MPs “often transform the Lok Sabha into a rumpus room” as “the House is merely a tool” and “Parliament involuntarily operates as a safety valve, when anger is ventilated through control dosages of extra-parliamentary tactics”. If there is nothing wrong in a “mob” directing Parliament, who would blame the mob rule that destroyed the Babri Masjid, or has imposed cultural restrictions in Mumbai, or damaged the cinema houses showing Deepa Mehta’s “Fire”?

VED GULIANI
Hisar

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Insurance: overdue step

The proposed opening up of the insurance sector, freeing it from the rigidities of a state monopoly, is a long overdue step.

It will benefit consumers who will get new products, better service arising from greater choice and competition, and price advantage.

It will provide more opportunities and better salaries to younger employees as also the competent ones in the present set-up, as distinguished from those who are responsible for most of the current scenario of tardy service, and anti-consumer orientation.

Above all, the country will benefit because it will attract huge funds for infrastructure projects which are essential for economic growth.

However, care should be taken to ensure that the Insurance Regulatory Authority functions autonomously and effectively in public interest.

The current agitation from unions and other quarters should not be allowed to stand in the way of immediate democratisation of the insurance sector.

M. R. PAI
Mumbai