Good governance is not a show, it’s a daily grind

In my experience, good governance does not require money. It requires effective and honest officers in the field and HQs. Such people are available, but they are not given the opportunity and, increasingly, it is the more compliant types who are the blue-eyed boys of the men at the top. The only complaint I have against senior officers is that they do not assert their authority, do not supervise, do not have a hands-on approach as much as they should.

Governance is not a one-day affair, nor a flash in the pan, it is not press conferences, it is not huge advertisements, it is not simply celebrating all festivals through advertisements. It is a day-to-day grind; it is tedious routine work performed day in and day out. It is about doing your assigned work and getting the job done with the tools available to you.

It is ensuring that the people (for the benefit of whom we exist) are not made to run from pillar to post to get a hearing. It is to make sure that files move on their own without having to be greased.

Try to do this and see the satisfaction on the faces of the people (although you have done them no favour) by giving to them what is their just due — yes both 'justice and development'. They will remember you long after you have left the area, but mostly your work will be unsung and unremarkable in appearance, like the moving parts of a well-made machine…. One does not see the engine while driving a Mercedes, but the experience of driving or being driven in one is fantastic.

Do justice as per facts and rules and help the development projects to be completed in time as per regulations. Occasionally, your job gives you the opportunity to be part of and contribute to projects or events which get recorded in history. There are legendary names which were part of our initial years of freedom: Homi Jehangir Bhabha will always be remembered as the 'father of the Indian nuclear programme', the credit for the rehabilitation of the millions of refugees who came from Pakistan goes to Dr MS Randhawa (Director General Rehabilitation), who also played a critical role in the Green Revolution and the building of Chandigarh, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw for his immense contributions to the Indian armed forces and the 1971 war victory.

These are perhaps outsized examples of giants in the history of independent India, but it is these examples that motivated us in our formative years, and they were not alone. They were ably supported by a highly motivated team of officers and men in their respective fields. The defence of Longewala by a Company, 23rd Battalion, Punjab Regiment, led by Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri (with no armour) defending against overwhelming odds (two tank regiments) of the Pakistani Army will always be remembered for the heroism and professionalism of the Indian armed forces.

Touring and regular inspections formed a vital part of the administration when we joined service. Officers then worked with much smaller teams and administered much greater geographical areas with little or no technology. Responsibility was clearly laid out and accountability was a given. Operational independence was insured by the officers and administrative set-up of the time and people delivered.

Today, with all the technology and infrastructure at hand, it is pitiful to see the state of affairs. One does not administer with force, it is through 'Iqbal' — an old concept but even more apt today. Officers earlier spent time in the field to see things for themselves and get feedback from the public. There was an elaborate system of information and feedback from all strata of civil society. Honestly speaking, today how many secretaries to the government or heads of department regularly visit the field to see ongoing projects of their departments? How many DMs/SSPs have spent 10 nights (in a month) in the field or gone for village touring?

It was with these instruments that we met success in the field. Today, officers hold meaningless flag marches and press conferences and get photographed. Flag marches are for law-and-order situations, not for gang wars and crime. Governance involves close methodological supervision at all levels.

Coming closer home, the foundation stone of the Verka milk plant was laid by the then Chief Minister of Punjab Partap Singh Kairon in 1959. The plant was the first of its kind in northern India and it went on to become one of the most successful milk cooperatives in the country. Similarly, Markfed was started in 1954 as a marketing cooperative and today, it has crossed Rs 22,000 crore in sales. Punjab Tractors Ltd (PTL) and the 'Swaraj' brand is again a story of the 1970s.

It would be pertinent to mention again here the name of Partap Singh Kairon, who is historically recognised as the builder of modern Punjab. He was ably supported in this task by committed officers of the highest calibre, viz MS Randhawa, NK Mukherjee, Gurdial Singh (IG, Punjab) and NN Vohra.

I could go on about the past, but the question is which institution has been created in the past three decades? It is one of winning elections by giving endless doles and freebies. We have lakhs of crores of rupees in debt (it is about to cross the Rs 4-lakh crore figure, a figure we can thank all the governments formed in the last few decades), yet we continue to shower largesse on citizens, who having got addicted, now look for the next dose (that needs to be bigger).

Can we afford free bus rides, free power (as per a recent The Tribune story, the total power subsidy has crossed Rs 1.25 lakh crore) — it's a long list. Wouldn't the citizenry be better served if we create more Verkas, PTLs and Markfeds? Wouldn't it be better served if we had an international airport which was actually international? Or, schools, colleges and

hospitals which actually have quality education and facilities?

We are again at a pivotal point in history. Major shifts are occurring in international trade and geopolitics. At the same time, AI, quantum computing and robotics are entering as major disruptors.

The ebb and flow of human civilisations will continue. It is for the people and the leadership to determine whether history will record it as a turning point for the better or, as per the old saying, 'khandar batate hein ki imarat kabhi buland thee.'

Gurbachan Jagat is former Manipur Governor and ex-DGP, Jammu & Kashmir.