Author: PRIA BLog
Less than a fortnight after the stunning victory of AAP in assembly elections of Delhi, the buzz on defining priorities of the new government has gained much of media air time. AAP leaders are being offered a wide range of unsolicited advice on âdos & donâtsâ. Governance of Delhi is especially complicated as multiple authorities---central government, Lt Governor, NDMC, etc.---are responsible for multiple functions which are sometimes ambiguous, and many a times overlapping and conflicting. It is precisely this complexity which creates a new opportunity for demonstrating AAPâs competence in democratic governance.
The Government of Delhi is sandwiched between municipal bodies (three municipal corporations, New Delhi Municipal Committee, Cantonment Board) below its jurisdiction, and a plethora of statutory bodies (DDA for example), including various ministries of central government, above its jurisdiction. The push for demanding statehood for Delhi by AAP leadership is largely driven from this reality which curtails Delhi governmentâs authority. But, this situation of being âin the middleâ is not unique in governance arrangements in Delhi. Most public authorities (including BMC in Mumbai) find themselves responsible for working within limitations of authority and jurisdictions imposed from above, and carved away from below. The challenge is to demonstrate effective governance within existing constraints, even as political negotiations are carried out to expand the boundaries.
AAP government of Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi must come to terms with this reality quickly, and identify demonstrable areas of governance reforms in the short term as well. This is going to be especially challenging since BJP is in power both at lower and higher tiers of governance---municipal bodies and central government. AAP governmentâs governance mettle can be demonstrated within this set of constraints in several areas of its own jurisdiction.
One of the critical areas for attention is transport; the problem is not just of traffic jams. Multiple types of transport operators have been issued multiple types of licences, without a coordinated planning of transport in the city (and NCR) as a whole. The new government can create a 20 year perspective plan for transport in the city, and work to introduce several âdoableâ improvements. Commuters in the city include pedestrians and cyclists, in addition to many two, three, four and more wheelers using various forms of energy. Why is it that bullock carts and tractors are visible on all roads of Delhi but not in Mumbai? Can there be an integrated ticketing system so that all forms of public transport can be used by a single payment? The drivers of all public transportsâautos, tempos, buses, trucks, etc---- violate traffic rules with impunity; and yet, large numbers of these drivers have âfakeâ licences. Surely, these things can be fixed by the AAP government to demonstrate visible improvements?
Second area of improvement can be in the administrative reforms in Delhi administration. New efficient systems and procedures can be introduced in every aspect of the way the government functions. Government offices (which are spread all over the city) can become smart in many ways---- the way space is utilised, office furniture is arranged, broken glass panes are fixed, toilets are kept sparkling clean, etc.
To begin with, procedures for tendering and contracting, including those in PWD, can be redesigned to make them efficient, fast, transparent and accountable. Several infrastructure projects, including periodic re-surfacing of different roads in the city, leave piles of construction materials (sand, mud, bricks, etc) around the place for years. These can surely be fixed?
Given that Delhi has highest per capita income, highest literacy rate and a small, compact physical jurisdiction, it should be possible to demonstrate a modern, vibrant and cost-efficient system of administration in all aspects of the functioning of the government. By doing so, AAP can show-case a model of what efficient and accountable government agencies can deliver for all citizens.
However, governance of the above two aspects alone (transport and administration) would demand that leadership of AAP government confronts many vested interests and entrenched mind-sets, not only from the rich corporate bodies but also a vast majority of citizens who voted so overwhelmingly for AAP a fortnight ago. Meters in autos and taxis still do not work; buses stop anywhere on the road; goods carriers of all sizes are unfit to be on the road. The regular and âirregularâ staff in various offices of Delhi government lack competence and motivation required to perform their tasks; will this ever change? In this sense, effective governance of Delhi will entail âreforming citizensâ of Delhi as well, at the political risk of âannoying the vote bankâ.
Challenging, yes; doable, possibly?
Rajesh Tandon Founder-President, PRIA, New Delhi, February 22, 2015
This blog was first published on www.dnaindia.com.
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