The recent surprise visit of the CM to the government offices has raised doubts about the effective functioning of the state machinery displaying the dismal state of affairs in Goa. This shows that government officials are in their comfort zone and following a conspicuous status-quo while working in the government system. The delay in executing tasks through the system is due to the public resorting to dubious means to get their work done due to lack of time, as well as the officials inducing the delay to gain some personal benefit. However another reason is due to unavailability of the officials in discharging the duties of the chair, leading to denial of justice to the public, contrary to the reason for which they have been appointed. Does this mean that everyone is corrupt? Of course not, it is the corruption of the many that conceals the goodness of a select few who work with honesty, integrity and loyalty. But it is required that people should not be mute spectators in this case.
One of the main causes of corruption seeping into the system is due to illicit enrichment a condition where officials are unable to explain their wealth in relation to the income they legally earn. The state of affairs is such that change can happen but with lot of resistance due to the entire system entering their comfort zone. Change is possible through proper monitoring and control systems that have to be put into place.
It is also required to have a Damocles sword on every government official by abolishing the concept of permanent or contract jobs, taking off the very reason to be lethargic and a job devoid of work pressure. Through proper HR systems including offer, appointment, appraisal system, benefits, and proper termination and severance procedure should be taken up by the personnel department of the government. It should be an essential element for everyone to be on their toes, and perform to the best of their ability under pressure. The selection of officials should be done by an external body to the state based on neutral and set criteria of merit, past record and performance. Some more measures could be through appraisal systems being put into place, 360° performance review, which includes peers, supervisors and the public who made use to the service from the official, they too need to rate the performance on every file processed.
Monitoring of the attendance and work done by officials, could be done through biometrics, access cards for the former and daily reports for the latter, which should be transparent and made available for scrutiny by the public, independent auditors, and government supervisors.
