Day 46 – Q 4.What are the impediments that affect quick decision making in the government? Analyse the root cause of this conundrum. Can you suggest some measures to expedite decision making?

4. What are the impediments that affect quick decision making in the government? Analyse the root cause of this conundrum. Can you suggest some measures to expedite decision making? 

सरकार में त्वरित निर्णय लेने में क्या बाधाएँ हैं? इस पहेली के मूल कारण का विश्लेषण करें। क्या आप निर्णय लेने में तेजी लाने के लिए कुछ उपाय सुझा सकते हैं?

Introduction:

“Governance” means: the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented).  So, in order to deliver Good Governance to people, Quick decision making is an essential factor to be considered.

Body

Impediments that affect quick decision making in the government:

Lack of Data

• Information plays vital role in decision making. A decision is made in the interest of self, organisation or society. For this the effect of a decision on various stakeholders must be known to optimise the benefit and for the decision to have integrity and be objective and inclusive.
• Eg. Hydro power project in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh got clearance initially but was cancelled later. The environment assessment did not consider the impact of the project on the vulnerable black-necked crane as the bird was not mentioned in people biodiversity register of the region

Issue of finance:

• Decision can’t be made in free hand, if there is a insufficiency of funds. Even if there are sufficient funds, either there is a delay in their release or misuse of funds. 

Bureaucracy 

• Bureaucracy in India suffer from issues like Red tapism, corruption and lethargy which delay the decision making process.

Accountability

• Accountability might act as a deterrent, as acknowledged by ARC reports. The fear of consequences might lead to inactivity from decision makers. 

Participative governance 

• Conflicting aspirations and demands of various section of society.
• Delay in arriving at a consensus due to engrained difference among various community and failure of government to arrive at a compromise.

Legislations:

• Many have raised the concern that Government laws like RTI stifles decision making as it makes the officials stay cautious and averse to take risk. It prevents bureaucrats from taking bold decisions because of the fear of getting questioned and public criticism. This results in policy paralysis.

Others:

• Pressure groups like tribal NGOs opposing projects
• Insufficient Devolution of powers Eg. Panchayats 
• Political interests of various parties and individuals, litigations and stays, resources scarcity and population pressure are some of the other reasons which also leads to delays.

Measures to expedite decision making:

• As recommended by ARC reports, measures like :

1. Rewards and prizes should be instated 
2. Performance reviews to be conducted and their use in deciding promotions etc. 

• Govt initiative like mygov.in and PRAGATi portal should be extensively used.
• Usage of Big Data in Decision making saves lot of time and cost,
• Fixing timeline of projects e.g Bogibeel bridge in Assam
• Strengthen the Panchayati Raj bodies especially Gramsabha to ensure equitable and inclusive growth.
• Encouraging the Single window system of approvals helps in streamlining the decisions and projects and cuts time.
• Promoting Social audits and EIA.
• Cutting red tapism and codification of procedures can help in enhancing accountability in decision making.
• Even though RTI does results into cautiousness. Officials should see it less as a fear factor and more as a motivating factor.

Conclusion

India needs to accelerate its development. For which Faster decision making is going to be crucial for the socio-economic upliftment of people and in providing Good governance.