Our country’s bureaucratic system is woefully outdated, plagued by inefficiencies, incompetence, and a lack of accountability. This antiquated framework, inherited from the British era, has failed to evolve and adapt to the complex challenges of modern times.
A major obstacle to effective governance is the misguided one-size-fits-all approach, which expects bureaucrats to be experts in everything, from healthcare to economic policy.
This unrealistic expectation sets them up for failure and perpetuates a culture of mediocrity. Furthermore, the training of bureaucrats focuses on creating an elite class, rather than equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to serve the public effectively. As a result, they are more accountable to their superiors and the ruling elite than the people they serve, perpetuating a governance structure that benefits the few at the expense of the many.
To bring about meaningful change, we must prioritize public welfare as the primary goal of bureaucrats. This requires a fundamental shift in mindset, from serving the interests of the powerful to serving the needs of the people. We must also implement specialized recruitment policies to enhance public service delivery, recognizing that bureaucrats cannot be experts in everything.
By recruiting specialists in fields like healthcare, education, and economic development, we can ensure that our bureaucrats have the expertise necessary to address complex challenges. Moreover, we must recognize bureaucrats as servants of the people, not rulers. This requires a cultural shift, from a culture of entitlement to a culture of service.
Bureaucrats must be held accountable for their actions and be responsive to the needs of the people. By implementing these reforms, we can transform our bureaucracy into a more effective, efficient, and people-centric system, capable of addressing the complex challenges of modern times.
