GOM - Management by objectives
People of Maharashtra should thank Chief Secretary Johny Joseph (TOI, March 6) for devising a set of five parameters to assess the performance of bureaucrats - disposal of files, utilisation of development funds, filling up vacancies, compliance of assurances made by the ministers in the state legislature and timely response to the audit objections. I am wondring whether we can expect similar parameters for the performance of ministers as well so that people would be able to appreciate the work undertaken by the ministers. This will make the Government of Maharshtra a responsible government and a responsive government.
Some time ago the Times of India had published the number of files pending in the various government departments. This should be a periodical exercise. I know of a case of an NGO whose lease renewal which is pending for the last 8 years. It goes from one department to another, from the state government to the BMC, from one secretary to another. The trustee has met many secretaries and ministers but the file does not move. Like a dynamic private sector company, it is high time the Government of Maharashtra adopts MBO - Management by objectives. The GOM can publish the results every three months. If all the ministers fully use development funds and dispose of files quickly, it would get more votes than all the public meetings, hoardings and advertisements.
May 2,2008.
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