Downsize it for performance

Despite the growing public dissatisfaction over the country's governance there is as yet no indication of how exactly the Centre proposes to...

Despite the growing public dissatisfaction over the country8217;s governance there is as yet no indication of how exactly the Centre proposes to coerce the states to eradicate maladministration and to also refurbish its own image. Among the numerous ills which plague the administrative apparatus, I shall here deal only with one the burgeoning number of the Central government employees.

We are in the midst of a communication technology revolution. However, updated information about the total strength of the Central government employees and the expenditure on payment of salaries and pensions is not readily available. As per the report of the V Central Pay Commission VCPC, which has taken serious note of the inconsistent data presented to it, in 1948 the Centre comprised 18 departments/ministries which were managed by 8 secretaries and a total of 14.40 lakh employees.

In 1996 there were 81 departments/ministries; 92 officers of secretary and equivalent rank; 41 lakh employees and 3.5 lakh vacancies. In1993-94 the wage bill, for both defence and civilian employees, was Rs. 19,305 crore. In 1994-95 there were 32.33 lakh pensioners; in 1995-96 the pension bill was nearly Rs. 6,912 crore. Available information indicates that consequent to the adoption of the VCPC pay scales and pensions, the expenditure on account of enhanced pay and pensions has increased by over RS. 18,500 crore to nearly Rs. 51,000 crore per annum!

The VCPC, while recommending significantly enhanced pay scales at all levels, advised reduction of the overall staff strength by abolishing the existing 3.5 lakh vacant posts; enforcing a freeze on the fresh employment of junior staff; a sharp cut in the intake at officer level and evolving a plan to reduce overall strength by a minimum of 30 percent within 10 years; and compulsory retirement of those found to be inefficient and corrupt.

The VCPC also recommended reducing the gazetted holidays from 17 to 3 and no holiday being declared on the demise of any leader except the incumbentPresident and Prime Minister; and enhancement of the retirement age to 60 years for all employees except personnel of the Defence Services and the Central Police Organisations.

Under pressure from the politically powerful trade unions of the largest employing departments railways, posts, telecom and other influences, the Centre has conceded the VCPC recommendations in regard to pay scales and pensions and an across the board enhancement of retirement age of all employees without any screening or sifting whatsoever. It has failed to simultaneously reduce the number of holidays, to abolish 3.5 lakh vacancies, reduce fresh intake and enforce an action plan to reduce overall strength by about one third within a declared time frame. The size and end cost of the vast governmental apparatus must necessarily be viewed in terms of its utility and visible productivity. The Centre cannot afford to lose any further time in drastically reducing the strength of its employees at all levels and securing accountableperformance from the remainder.

Decline of discipline

Vital importance attaches to the stable functioning of the Ministry of Defence for the brief reason that the security and territorial integrity of our vast country directly relates to the health, training, discipline and morale of the brave men and officers who comprise our three Defence Services.In this context it is a matter for the gravest concern to read newspaper reports that the Naval Chief has, in a contempt petition involving one of his commanding Vice Admirals who has made charges of prejudicial conduct by his chief, alleged that the Defence Secretary is colluding with the agitating Vice Admiral!

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In the years past there was an unbroken tradition of officers in uniform seeking redress of their grievance only through their senior echelons. However, in recent years, Defence Services personnel have been resorting to court proceedings to resolve their complaints. It is distressing enough that a serving Vice Admiral has gone to courtagainst his own chief. Of far greater concern, however, is to read reports about the Chief8217;s most serious allegation that the Defence Ministry civilians have been working against the interests of the Armed Forces. Such an assertion is inexcusable even if it has been made essentially to defend himself against the charges of his Vice Admiral and to buttress his case.

It is reported that the high court has dismissed the case. Nonetheless the Chief8217;s allegations are bound to generate irremediable mistrust among the rank and file of the entire military apparatus about the very role of the civilian structure which is responsible for administering the welfare of the over one million brave men and officers.

With the way in which our governance has evolved over the past five decades, the decline of discipline has been the most grievous casualty. However, the functioning of our military has been relatively protected and the Armed Forces today remain the only surviving symbol of discipline.

Extremely seriousconsequences shall flow if those who comprise this last bastion of trustworthiness are led to believe that their interests are managed by unprincipled civilians. The Navy8217;s internal problems must be resolved and under no circumstances allowed to affect the confidence and morale of the entire military structure. The Raksha Mantri has high responsibility in most immediately restoring discipline, awarding exemplary punishments to all those in default irrespective of their rank or position.