Baburaj in New Delhi

Thanks to late PM Narasimha Rao and former finance minister and two-time PM Dr. Manmohan Singh, India then got rid of “Licence Raj” along with one of the biggest Economic reforms in 1991. The economic reforms that started over 31 years are now paying a rich dividend for us to claim that we are reaching the stage developed country. However, over the last 75 years, Baburaj continues to remain the same except that the files are now probably getting put up in the mail. Despite tech advancement and claims of digital India, the working styles of Babus have not transformed. If we deeply analyze the bureaucratic system remains the same because of the ruling class irrespective of whichever party is in power. Babus can rule the country because our netas neither have the caliber or thinking to change the system as they fear losing the strong vote base. They aren’t fully qualified to deal with Administrative and official matters along with IAS officers who have very little idea how and who draft the circulars or orders when it comes to their table and then move to the Minister’s approval or signature if it happens to be big-ticket reforms. Some years back I read an editorial how the weekly statement of “Cigar” (Trichinopoly Churt) sent to the late Winston Churchill when he was PM until 1945 from CCA (Churchill Cigar Assistant) I think from Dindigul to Chief Secetary’s office which will routinely be forwarded to Ministry of Home affairs.
Even though the Cigar supply was stopped after he left the office and we got freedom in 1947, the statement will show “nil” supply until it was discovered that such a post does not even exist. Even PM Modi cited this while speaking on farm reforms which were finally shelved for reasons well known. Here again, the Babus managed to win over politicians. A similar state Election Commission routinely shares the list with various organizations and schools to depute staff and teachers for election duty. It has been noticed the circular/order is nothing but cut and paste from what was drafted many years back. Only the circular number, date, and signatory will change everything will remain the same as the names of the same staff would continue even if the concerned person is no longer alive or retired. So much about reform and change.
I am sharing these incidents which have been happening since the days of “Red Tape White Cap”, change is rarely visible in thinking or acting. FIRs drafted to arrest criminal and political opponents are proof. Some time a retired teacher who worked in a missionary school for more than 30 years shared her plight on how her husband who worked in the Airport Authority of India in Delhi and was expecting transfer to Hyderabad after putting in Twenty-four years and half years died was not granted a pension as he didn’t complete 25 years for pension eligibility. In another case, an autorickshaw owner whose father was a station master in Moula Ali railway station passed away when he was just 7 years in 1974 and his semi-literate mother and 7-year-old didn’t have any job on compassionate grounds. The boy’s effort to get a helper’s job in Railways didn’t happen after completing his intermediate because, by the time he approached, he was told it was time-barred.
None of the babus didn’t bother to put a note on the plight of this family so that at least the boy could have got the job after obtaining the minimum qualification. However, when it comes to corruption in collaboration with netas in Bbaudom anything is possible. A story went around, I am not sure whether it is true or otherwise. There was one Chief Minister in undivided Andhra who waiting for a contractor to pay for a contract awarded to him. The contractor could not turn up on the stipulated time and the Minister asked to put up the file and as CM simply wrote “not approved” with his signature. Just when babu got back the file, the contracted hurriedly entered CM’s office and profusely apologized for the delay. CM called the babu with the file and was wondering how to approve it, he then asked the babu how to approve the contract. He asked CM just add “e” and turned it in as a “note” approved and he got the contract for the project.This is what is now happening to old and new pensions which have become a political issue in many states the ruling party lost the election in HP over this issue and it is simmering even in MP. Similarly, the EPS scheme of employees even after SC clearance in last November has not properly reached the implementation stage with several circulars going around confusing the employees with the latest one which has claimed that they are framing guidelines for employees to use the portal to fill up the option. However, when it comes to pension schemes for elected representatives for which they are eligible for life for themselves or their spouse or any other perks, everything happens at lightning speed.
In contrast, I have worked in a private company where I worked, I was able to bring about some changes at my level without many hurdles except for some decisions which didn’t happen at the speed at which they should have happened. However, of late, even some private companies have turned slow in the decision-making process and there seems to be some kind of uneasiness among youngsters who are aspiring to work. It may sound partisan, but when it comes to the present government in center and state governments in general on Administrative reforms, the change has not happened except for political decisions. Just take the case of a Cow vigilante in Haryana, the main culprit strangely known as “Monu Manesar” has not been arrested but whereas a Congress spokesperson who made some foolish comment, Delhi and Assam Police managed to deplane and arrest him at Delhi airport tarmac and it is a fine example of the quote “BUREAUCRACY IS THE ART OF MAKING THE POSSIBLE IMPOSSIBLE” and otherwise as well when the culprits happen it comes who is not from the party in power.