Politicised bureaucracy

The Himalayan Times

29 March 2024

Politicised bureaucracy

I think efforts were made in the civil service acts to explicitly address the roles and functions of the civil service, its organisational structure and working methods and its human resource system among others. However, there are still many shortcomings in it. Among them are low levels of motivation among civil servants, multiple layers in the decision-making process, lack of accountability, and weak proper supervision and monitoring of job performance. The haphazard and frequent transfer of the senior bureaucrats based on unusual political interference has serious impacts on the smooth functioning of bureaucracy. A secretary is transferred to as many as ministries within a short period of time making them feel insecure, undermining the civil service rules and regulations by misusing ministerial power and authorities. How can the government expect and ensure that the politically affiliated bureaucrats will work and discharge their duties with integrity “PM Dahal urges govt employees to work with integrity” (THT, 27 March, Page 1).

Due to the unstable governments, many targeted development activities have failed to complete on time, thereby severely affecting the nation as a whole. In reality, politics and bureaucracy are assumed to exercise their segregated roles and authority. People’s elected lawmakers are supposed to make policies whereas bureaucrats are responsible for the implementation of the policies and programmes. In fact, it is not uncommon to see civil servants unnecessarily indulging in politics making public service delivery ineffective and sluggish. Most of all, the big political parties have their sister wings as trade unions in the civil service which are seriously hampering the efficiency and effectiveness of government services due to their unnecessary and unwanted influences. Does the Dahal-led coalition government have the guts to dismantle trade unions which are hindrance to his good governance slogan?   

As of today, especially the so-called big political parties have completely failed to implement their own election manifestos when they were in power. Since 1994, the country has seen many coalition governments. Such governments put forward their common minimum programme (CMP) which was partially or not even implemented. It remains to be seen whether this five-party coalition government will be able to implement its CMP during its uncertain political helm. 

Rai Biren Bangdel

Mahrajgunj