A Counter to ERC Recommendations

Now a days there is talk of ERC recommendations being implemented very strictly. Under these recommendations posts vacant for more than a year or so will be abolished. Further a ban on recruitment on compassionate basis is in force, new recruitments in certain categories have been put on hold. But is the government focussing only on the posts that should be abolished? Is it also paying attention to the fact many sectors of the country are grossly understaffed and there is a dire urgency to address this question.

A myth prevails that the government is overstaffed. In the present scenario when computerisation is in full swing in government offices, there is some truth in the myth. But this is true only in a partial sense. If we look at the law sector, law enforcement sector, health sector, education sector, rural sector, etc. we can feel the pinch of reality. All these sectors are grossly understaffed.

Law Sector: The long list of pending cases requiring adjudication sends one in a tizzy. Of course it can be contended that our legal system is to be blamed which takes recourse to lengthy processes like hearing, counter hearing, summons, etc. But with a sincere approach, these problems can be taken care of. In the first instance we are very much short of courts, judges, judicial staff, supporting staff in the courts. The cases that can be tried summarily should be tackled accordingly. But again, with the crying dearth of judicial staff/ supporting staff, courts, the problem is lingering and is bound to linger on. There is an urgent need for a massive recruitment drive in the judicial sector. With this the festering problem of social unrest can be taken care of. By international standards also we are far short of judges.

Law enforcement sector: Day in and day out we hear the problems of unrest in law enforcement agencies. This can be attributed to their overburdening and overpressing duties. Again the worsening law and order situation can at best be attributed to dire shortage of personnel which calls for urgent recruitment in this sector.

Health Sector: This is the least touched sector. But the fact is that even though Constitution enjoins the right to life and that too a life with dignity to all its citizens, the citizens of this country are left to fend for themselves and be at the mercy of big wigs in the matter of health. With the loosening of the grip by the government over its resources, particularly in land resources, we find the construction of malls, shopping centres, dupleix theatres and every other amenities for well offs. But the number in which these amenities are constructed far outweigh their actual need. To take an example, in South Delhi, two huge shopping malls are in full construction and besdies that, two big private hospitals and one five star hotel is there. By the way these amenities cater only the affluent classes and in no way serves the lower middle classes which forms the majority in the peripheral areas of the place. If only one big hospital of the size of Safdarjung could be built in the area, it would have taken care of the masses who have to rush to Safdarjung for every possible ailment. The shortage of hospitals, technicians, labs, modern machines, doctors, nurses, supporting staffs compels everyone to rush to Safdarjung hospital for treatment only adds to the already heavily burdened hospital. Secondly, the need for proper maintenance of the medical equipments needs immediate attention. This by itself requires massive recruitment drive. This is only a tip of an iceberg where the pinch of inadequate staff is felt. Think of the scenario in the whole country. The health sector is such a vital sector that it has the potential of absorbing a very large work force. With the advent of latest technology the avenues have only multiplied. But is any one listening to the call of time?

Education Sector: With the Supreme Court declaring Right to Education a fundamental right and the good intentions of the erstwhile regime this right was translated into reality with a government order giving it an executive validity. But in urban sectors, we find opening of public schools in every nook and corner. In a way the private sectors seems to be bent on implementing the government fiat for its own benefit and in the process making a big hole in the pocket of citizenry who have understood the importance of education. But there is still a large ground to be covered for the government. With the burgeoning population, there is a pressing need for more government schools, teachers, labs, equipments, etc. again which has a very large potential of absorbing a huge workforce.

Rural Sector: This sector though of vital importance was totally left out of the scheme of things of the government. Agriculture, animal husbandry, food processing, horticulture, floriculture, etc. all these are the components in ths sector which need to be pruned up drastically and the potential of absorbing workforce which it carries should be implemented with full vigour and right earnest.

A totally new sector has emerged in recent years. Though a very important sector in a welfare society, its importance could be realised only recently i.e. social sector.

Critics of government are partially right when they say that the state of governance is not going to improve even if all the sectors are adequately staffed. But then abolition of posts is not the panacea to the ills staring at our face. You don’t chop of your finger if it gets hurt and pains or bleeds. On the contrary you try to put bandage and prevent the bleeding.

It would be worthwhile if the government at the national level gives its attention to these vital sectors by carrying out a nation-wide survey with sincere intention of creating the huge workforce that the problem of unemployment which is staring at the face of the nation can be tackled. In sum, it can be said that the government should be wise enough to allocate proper funds and resources proportionate to the promise that each sector carries. Only then we can have a balanced workforce that can make a strong India.

-- Sudesh Negi

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