Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly advised the IAS officers that they should spend “quality time” with their families. He could have instead said them don’t be so engrossed with work and spend some quality time with their families. Modi advised bureaucrats to get rid of a robotic life and bring some change. He also said that the flawed bureaucratic system will affect the development of the nation. The PM said that unless and until an officer is happy and satisfied in his personal life, he will fail to have ideas of his own at office. He asked everyone to shun old working ideas and innovate as per the needs of changing times. The moment he uses the word “quality time”, he is acting smart. This expression can be used by people like you and me in our day to day lives but not by the PM.
Colleges have imposed a ban on ragging which is laudable. The officer, his wife and children can themselves decide how to relax and have good time, which could be as simple as going together for a swimming session.
The IAS officers heading various departments and ministries should have regular consultation with the stake holders and experienced persons connected with the department. A broad based consultation always helps. Earlier, when officers went on tour the information was noted in a register. Through this plenty of information could be obtained about their personal lives. Nowadays officials don’t go on tour on a regular basis.
When you go on tour you should take your family along and they will see new places, learn and enjoy. We always accompanied our father to “Deva” Mela and even attended the Republic Day parade.
Modi himself is having a quality time by going on tour around the world keeping his ministers glued in Delhi. It is necessary for PM to undertake foreign tours but he should also do some work at home and assign tasks to others. While commuting to Khardi, I was pleased to notice that railways have increased the height of platforms. Thus railways are performing a good job by undertaking new projects and finishing it in a time bound manner. More work is needed for ensuring safety and upkeep of the bogies and maintenance of the compartments. Even though the Modi government had launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan with much fanfare but it has failed to yield the desired results. The BMC has done a good job by scrapping the flawed Development Plan.
