The cases of information processing in the government cited by Sanjaya Baru in “Paper power” (August 30) prove that “what we (the government) have is not what we want; what we want is not what we need and what we need is not available”.
Although the successive UPA governments have had the best leaders with an immense knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the bureaucratic system, little has been done to change the mindset of the babus or upgrade the system in consonance with the needs of economic growth. The country continues to be burdened with the time-worn, cumbersome procedures in which only written word carries sanctity. Adherence to procedures is more important than the outcome.
Max Weber’s model of bureaucracy had efficiency as its core merit; its Indian adaptation has the hallmark of ineptitude and insensitivity to the people. It is high time the prime minister and his think tank paid attention to this.
Y G Chouksey, Pune
