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Good administration
is the mantra for Governance.
Professor D N Pathak
takes a hard look at Keshubhai Patel's second innings.
Sometime ago the late Chimanbhai
Patel while addressing a public meeting mentioned that Gujarat develops
and progresses in spite of the government. This may not make sense to
the people of Gujarat chiefly because they would like to be left alone
so as to pursue the goal of economic gain. If the governing idea of a
society is the idea held by the governing elite, then Gujarat certainly
would opt for such a state of affairs.
This may be attributed partly
to geography — one-third of India’s coastline being in Gujarat — partly
due to its history and partly to the impact of Jainism that enjoins upon
hard work, frugality and avoidance of ostentatious living, Gujarat has
a high degree of urbanisation and has a bigger, well-developed vocal and
assertive middle-class than other states.
The general impression about
Gujarat is that it is a rich, advanced, highly industrialised progressive
state. The moment one looks beyond National Highway 8, Gujarat would display
its backwardness, underdevelopment, poverty and illiteracy. Twenty per
cent of its population is composed of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes
and about 10 per cent of Muslims, not to mention other backward castes
and Dalits. All put together constitute nearly 70 per cent of the state’s
population.
Overcrowded slums and peripheral
areas deprived of basic necessities such as sanitation, sewerage system
and adequate supply of water, unemployment, poverty, hunger, illiteracy,
lack of medical facilities are common features of these neglected populations.
Such a state of affairs need purposeful a well-planned people-oriented
government committed to alleviate poverty and look after the welfare of
the people. As Aristotle puts it, "The State comes into existence to make
life possible and continues to make life better".
As 1998 draws to a close,
how well does the state in Gujarat measure up? Does it or can it acquire
itself as an adequate answer to the emergent news of Gujarat? Is it well
equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century? The present
day BJP government has come into power for the second time with the same
chief minister once more. It also has a two-third majority. The new government
in the light of its past experience was generally expected to face better.
But like the Bourbons of France, they seem to have learnt nothing and
forgotten nothing. The overall impression is one of clumsy handling of
public affairs and inept grasp to the issues at stake. The government,
in fact, has failed to provide proper leadership which is the crying need
of the day Today, Gujarat stands at the cross-roads of its history and
development. Right decisions taken today would pave the way for its speedy
overall development. A great deal depends upon the constructive leadership
that may imaginatively set forth an agenda for the future so as to realise
the state’s potentialities today and tomorrow. The party in power had
a reputation of being a disciplined organisation. But its record seems
to prove otherwise. Far from having party unity, even the collective responsibility
of the cabinet — a sin qua non-of parliamentary government — is conspicuous
by its absence. Conflicting statements and policy directives — e.g. oil
marketing and prices — have produced confusion and chaos in public life,
resulting in loss of credibility of the government.
Gujarat has weathered many
storms in the past — communal riots, the Navnirman movement, riots on
the issue of reservation but the present situation is unique and stands
by itself. The ruling party adjuncts such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang
Dal have taken upon themselves the responsibility of guarding the morals
and rectitude of society with the tacit approval of the government, thereby
taking law into their hands and creating an atmosphere of fear, insecurity
and lawlessness. A pattern has emerged about the timing and the choice
of their targets, namely. Muslims, Christians, Dalits and, at times, cultural
event. While we follow liberal economics, we are surrounded by illiberal
behaviour, intolerant intrusions and ill-advised meddling. What
is the best way to judge a government? People’s perceptions? Media’s reactions?
Views of the elite? One could suggest four criteria — legitimacy,
efficacy, accountability and transparency. Legitimacy shows for the general
acceptability and popularity of the government. A government’s general
performance should earn the trust and confidence of the people and this
in turn, depends upon the sense of security that the government is able
to engender among its people.
Today Gujarat is being singled
out for the skewed policies towards minorities and this to such an extent
that the minorities' commission had to pay a visit. The government's record
is equally poor and lacking in the area of human rights. Efficacy depends
upon the day- today performance of the government. It calls for proper
and efficient management of public affairs and centres round administration
and implementation. As we close the year 1998, we are compelled to admit
that we are still far away from the dream and ideal that we had entertained
about making Gujarat into a model state, a well-administered state, a
place of good governance.
(The author is visiting
professor at Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad)
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