Shape up Babu or ship out!
Once upon a time there lived a bureaucrat in the capital city of Delhi. He had a dream life and a dream job. His work day started – whenever he felt it was time; he would then break for a beer with lunch at the plush Gymkhana Club; about four, it would be time for golf followed by a leisurely evening with the family. Every once in a while he would travel overseas on a work trip. Of course, the wife would accompany, the couple travelled first class – all expenses paid, and have a good holiday.
As they say, all good things must come to an end and so did this dream life. Narendra Modi got elected as the Prime Minister of India and with that, suddenly the work-life situation of all the 'Babus' seems to have taken an about turn.
The Delhi Gymkhana Club, now has enough room for its other members and business people. Tables for lunch are easy to come by, and the sights of bureaucrats throwing their weight around have suddenly gone missing. The Delhi Golf Club bears a deserted look during work hours and the swimming pools are near empty. The India International Centre, once a popular hangout, now seems to be missing its hustle-bustle. The work-life (im)balance that once so easily existed has now become non-existent. Work has piled on, while “life” has shrunk – the dream life is now a thing of the past.
Though officials of the Central Government still have a five day week, they are now constantly seen along the corridors of South Block along with their staff, catching up on work, prepping and updating files, lest the Prime Minister calls for an update on them. To make matters worse, even at late hours.
Gone are the days when officials delayed decisions for ulterior motives or procrastination. Right or wrong – there are orders to take decisions – to move files along, citing reasons either way. Should they bear a Cabinet note, files have to be cleared within three days. The upright officials, who earlier faced frequent transfers, are now happy with a work culture of fast paced decision-making devoid of corruption, and favouritism.
Alongside, the number of feedback meetings has increased and stricter deadlines are in place. Officials are reporting that attendance at these meetings has improved and files are getting cleared faster. Senior bureaucrats of various ministries are now required to forward periodic updates to the PMO on the progress of projects under their jurisdiction even if no progress has been made since last reporting.
There have been reports that PMO is tracking attendance and punctuality through a unique biometric identification system. All Central Government officials and junior staff have been asked to get their new biometric cards made to enable their entry and exit record under the new system. The data, to be updated in real-time, is likely to be monitored by the PMO. That is good governance and delivery for you.
Globetrotting with the spouse in tow, is no longer a perk of the job, nor is travelling first class. It has also been indicated that spouses will not be covered by the State and will need to pay for their own travel.
Not only has the PMO made it mandatory to submit an “outcome report” after every foreign trip, Modi has ordered officials to forgo the luxury of flying first class, avoid holding conferences at five-star hotels and stop buying cars. Officials are advised to use video conferencing for meetings wherever possible, and also barred the creation of any new posts in the government.
The cleaning of all Government offices is another step that is being pushed by the PMO with the same passion that it drives the Swachh Bharat mission.
For now, it seems this is how the new life of a Babu may be profiled. It sounds like great news for the country to know that it is being led by one who is not just a taskmaster, but also leads by personal example. Although, it may seem inconvenient for the class of 'Babus' that have been sucking the system dry for years, the more honest ones feel empowered and motivated to do better.
The Prime Minister is believed to have shared his telephone number with the Secretaries and encouraged them to contact him directly if there is an urgency. There have been reports of officials doing just that; and in some cases, even bypassing their direct bosses. Should the machinery of our Central Government get ship-shape and well-oiled like Modi is trying to make it – the day will not be far when India comes together to emerge as the power that the world is expecting it to be. That is when we will see India truly Modi-fied.
Once upon a time there lived a bureaucrat in the capital city of Delhi. He had a dream life and a dream job. His work day started – whenever he felt it was time; he would then break for a beer with lunch at the plush Gymkhana Club; about four, it would be time for golf followed by a leisurely...
Once upon a time there lived a bureaucrat in the capital city of Delhi. He had a dream life and a dream job. His work day started – whenever he felt it was time; he would then break for a beer with lunch at the plush Gymkhana Club; about four, it would be time for golf followed by a leisurely evening with the family. Every once in a while he would travel overseas on a work trip. Of course, the wife would accompany, the couple travelled first class – all expenses paid, and have a good holiday.
As they say, all good things must come to an end and so did this dream life. Narendra Modi got elected as the Prime Minister of India and with that, suddenly the work-life situation of all the 'Babus' seems to have taken an about turn.
The Delhi Gymkhana Club, now has enough room for its other members and business people. Tables for lunch are easy to come by, and the sights of bureaucrats throwing their weight around have suddenly gone missing. The Delhi Golf Club bears a deserted look during work hours and the swimming pools are near empty. The India International Centre, once a popular hangout, now seems to be missing its hustle-bustle. The work-life (im)balance that once so easily existed has now become non-existent. Work has piled on, while “life” has shrunk – the dream life is now a thing of the past.
Though officials of the Central Government still have a five day week, they are now constantly seen along the corridors of South Block along with their staff, catching up on work, prepping and updating files, lest the Prime Minister calls for an update on them. To make matters worse, even at late hours.
Gone are the days when officials delayed decisions for ulterior motives or procrastination. Right or wrong – there are orders to take decisions – to move files along, citing reasons either way. Should they bear a Cabinet note, files have to be cleared within three days. The upright officials, who earlier faced frequent transfers, are now happy with a work culture of fast paced decision-making devoid of corruption, and favouritism.
Alongside, the number of feedback meetings has increased and stricter deadlines are in place. Officials are reporting that attendance at these meetings has improved and files are getting cleared faster. Senior bureaucrats of various ministries are now required to forward periodic updates to the PMO on the progress of projects under their jurisdiction even if no progress has been made since last reporting.
There have been reports that PMO is tracking attendance and punctuality through a unique biometric identification system. All Central Government officials and junior staff have been asked to get their new biometric cards made to enable their entry and exit record under the new system. The data, to be updated in real-time, is likely to be monitored by the PMO. That is good governance and delivery for you.
Globetrotting with the spouse in tow, is no longer a perk of the job, nor is travelling first class. It has also been indicated that spouses will not be covered by the State and will need to pay for their own travel.
Not only has the PMO made it mandatory to submit an “outcome report” after every foreign trip, Modi has ordered officials to forgo the luxury of flying first class, avoid holding conferences at five-star hotels and stop buying cars. Officials are advised to use video conferencing for meetings wherever possible, and also barred the creation of any new posts in the government.
The cleaning of all Government offices is another step that is being pushed by the PMO with the same passion that it drives the Swachh Bharat mission.
For now, it seems this is how the new life of a Babu may be profiled. It sounds like great news for the country to know that it is being led by one who is not just a taskmaster, but also leads by personal example. Although, it may seem inconvenient for the class of 'Babus' that have been sucking the system dry for years, the more honest ones feel empowered and motivated to do better.
The Prime Minister is believed to have shared his telephone number with the Secretaries and encouraged them to contact him directly if there is an urgency. There have been reports of officials doing just that; and in some cases, even bypassing their direct bosses. Should the machinery of our Central Government get ship-shape and well-oiled like Modi is trying to make it – the day will not be far when India comes together to emerge as the power that the world is expecting it to be. That is when we will see India truly Modi-fied.
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