How Those Critiquing Bureaucrats Get It Wrong

News: The article addresses the allegations leveled against the bureaucracy.

Lately, bureaucracy has been criticized by many newspapers. It has been called bloated, inefficient, self-serving, obstructive, corrupt, and non-responsive to people. This article addresses these allegations against bureaucracy one by one.

Why the allegations against bureaucracy are misplaced?

Bloated bureaucracy: According to ILO (International Labour Organization) estimates, the percentage of public sector officials in the total workforce is much higher in other countries compared to only 3.8% in India. It is about 18-20% of the total workforce in France and the UK, 12-13% in Germany and the US, and 28% in China. Further, out of the total number of public sector officials, only 2.8% belong to group A, who would take up senior-level, managerial, and leadership tasks.

Self-serving or autonomous: In reality, bureaucracy is subservient to the political executive. It is its duty to implement and respond to the policies, programs, and orders of central and state governments.

Inefficient bureaucracy: There are more than one reasons for that, i.e. outdated rules and regulations, political interference in postings, transfers, corrupt recruitment systems, etc. However, overburdening of bureaucracy is the most important reason. The number of public officials per 10,000 people in India is very low. For example, it is 85 government officials for 10,000 people in India, compared to 625 full-time equivalent in New York State.

Inefficient and corrupt: Political patronage is a reality in bureaucracy. Ministers and MLAs in state governments have a say in postings and transfers of civil servants. Entrepreneurial bureaucrats accept the system and establish the system of political patronage. In many states, a spoils system is being established where the MLAs and ministers get bureaucrats of their choice. It gives rise to both inefficiencies and corruption.

Source: This article is developed based on the article “How Those Critiquing Bureaucrats Get It Wrong” Published in the Times of India on 8^th November 2021.