Editorial | Speedy disposal

“A file cannot stay at a particular table for more than three days,” reads a circular issued from the General Administration Department. So here is an instruction to all departments that they shouldn’t hold files for far too long, in fact not more than three days, at their end. Would this instruction ensure a speedy disposal of works, or would it, like many government circulars and orders, be defeated by a crusted inefficiency and red tape in our administrative system; this we would get to know soon. But what is appreciable in this is that at least the government has woken up to this chronic disease in the system. Ask any commoner visiting a government office for getting some work done, small or big, they will narrate tales of tortuous delay, deflection, and outright injustice. So this instruction is actually giving voice to the public outrage on red tape, and bureaucratic hassles. In the detail of the instruction it is mentioned that before taking a decision on a file it cannot go beyond a particular number of levels, thus reducing the time of disposing off the case. This is very much needed as people often complain of an endless tossing of the files from one table to another and then to another.

Now what is required is to implement this instruction and bring the officers and clerical staff that violate this instruction to task. In this regard two things could help. One, in case there is a delay the person involved must be held responsible for that and it must entail some punitive action. Two, an online tracking system of files should be introduced at all levels of the governance. People must be able to track their files and the notes written down on them from anywhere in the world. In fact there should be compulsory telephonic contacts with the the staff concerned. This would save people from undue travel to offices, and accompanied hassles. It would also reduce the footfall into the offices allowing the staff to work in a calm atmosphere. It will also have a larger effect on the over all life of the people. It will reduce the vehicles plying on roads, and also save families from lots of stress. If looked at from this bigger perspective this instruction is very beneficial and must be implemented.

   

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