Be growth enabler, not regulator; can’t work on outdated set-up: PM to bureaucrats

Reflecting on the past role of bureaucracy as a regulator controlling the pace of industrialisation and entrepreneurship, he emphasised that the nation has moved beyond this mindset and is now fostering an environment that promotes enterprise among citizens and helps them overcome barriers. “Civil services must transform into an enabler, expanding its role from merely being the keeper of rule books to becoming a facilitator of growth,” Modi said.

He also conferred the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration during the event.

“The policies we are working on today, the decisions we are making, are going to shape the future of the next thousand years”, he said. “Our bureaucracy, our work, our policy making cannot continue in the old way. That is why after 2014, a very big ‘Maha Yagya’ of system transformation started in the country. We are adapting ourselves with this fast pace,” he said.

The PM warned that in a technology-driven world, one should not forget the importance of human judgement, and urged civil servants to always pay attention to people’s voices. “Be sensitive, listen to the voice of the poor, understand their problems, make solving them your priority. Just like Atithi devo bhava (guests are like Gods), we have to move ahead with the mantra that Naagrik devo Bhava (citizens are like Gods).”

Modi said, “I believe that quality of governance does not come just by launching schemes. Rather, quality in governance is determined by how deeply the scheme reached the people and how much real impact it had.”

In the last decade, he said, the government has bridged the gap with citizens by leveraging technology, innovation and new practices. “Its impact is visible in rural and urban areas as well as in remote areas,” he said.

To remain relevant, the PM said, the members of civil service have to adapt themselves according to contemporary challenges.

Dwelling on the changes ushered by his government, Modi pointed out that in the last 10 years, India has seen a journey from incremental change to impactful transformation. He added that today India’s governance model is focussing on next generation reforms.

Regarding efforts to reduce bureaucratic delays, he said that the government has eliminated over 40,000 non-compliances, and decriminalised over 3,400 legal provisions.

“I remember, when we were working to reduce the burden of compliance, when we were decriminalising some of the mistakes that happen during business, it was a surprise to me that there were voices of protest in some corners. Many people used to say, ‘it has not happened till date, why are you doing it’? ‘It is working, let it be’. ‘What difference does it make to you? Let them comply, why are you increasing your work’,” he said.

India has ambitious goals for the coming years in all sectors from clean energy, energy security to advancements in sports and space exploration, he said, adding that with these goals in mind, civil servants have an immense responsibility and should strive to prevent delays.