Portfolio allocation and good governance

Dr H Hemchandra Singh
Primary objective of a popular Govt. is to serve the people through a series of welfare schemes for improvement of their socio- economic status and standard of living etc. Perfor- mance of a Govt. depends on various factors like political will and commitment, relevant decision- making and effective implementation of the schemes. Efficiency and Effectiveness of the schemes are the yardsticks for good governance.
Today, there is a changing pattern in society because of higher level of Education, greater awareness of Rights and Privileges and increasing Needs and Demands etc. Social auditing has also become very active. Slightest mistakes or delays in action amount to public criticisms.
In view of the above facts, it is desired to have a Review to identify bottlenecks in the existing management system. In this connection, it may be mentioned that surveys conducted in India have found that the welfare schemes are well-formulated but failed in implementation. An important factor for the failure is lack of Co-ordination and Collaboration in implementation which is particularly true when the schemes needed a Multi-Sectoral Approach. There are a good number of welfare schemes but the number of Ministers is limited. It is therefore, suggested that Departments having closely related activities may be clubbed together under our Hon'ble Minister for better Co-ordination and "Ease of Doing Business". A few examples are summarized below for kind examination of the Govt. It is only a Draft proposal and subject to modifications.
1. Health and Social Welfare : There are a good number of schemes like Universal Immunization Programme, School Health and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), Special Nutrition Scheme, Mother and Child Health, Mental Health and Management of Old Age Homes etc. They need Co-ordination in Planning and Management for a better Team work.
2. Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandary and Fishery: The overall objectives of the departments are welfare of the farmers and they are the target population. Many of the welfare schemes need Integrated approach and problems faced by farmers can be minimized.
3. Engineering Departments : These are very important for Development of the States. Vital projects with huge costs are taken up by PWD, PHED, Electricity etc. There are many areas requiring Co-ordination in work programmes in Road Construction, Water pipe connection and Electrical services requiring Multi-Sectoral Approach. It is suggested that Hon'ble CM may be i/c of One Engineering Department for easy Co-ordination as Chairman of various Review Meetings etc. This will save time and costs of projects.
4. Education and YAS : These two departments are like sides of the same coin. Sporting activities need development from Primary to University levels. Developments of Sports Infrastructures and facilities at all levels need Co-ordinated Planning and Management by Authorities of both departments.
5. Preferably, a senior Minister and a senior Bureaucrat, at the Secretariat level may be considered for Ministries requiring Multi-Sectoral Approaches. Similar exercises may also be examined for other welfare services.

The writer is Retd. Director of Health Services, Govt. of Manipur and is not an expert in Management Science. The views expressed are from working experiences under the Govt.