Wednesday, 28 May 2014 00:00
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INDIA’S Modi, it seems, is already leading by example. The enigmatic Prime Minister fresh from his oaths has announced a ministerial team of just 46 and even held a Cabinet meeting on his first working day in office. The tough, no-nonsense attitude is being lauded by analysts as the perfect attitude to take the country of 1.2 billion people to greater economic gains.
Other South Asian leaders attending the ceremony would be aware of the difference. Sri Lanka by contrast has a population of just 20 million but has 56 Cabinet Ministers, 106 Ministers, 10 Senior Ministers and 38 Deputy Ministers, not to mention several Members of Parliament who act as Monitoring MPs in the ever-expanding Government.
The shrinking of the council of ministers from the previous Congress 71 has been achieved by clubbing some ministries together and by giving some ministers charge of multiple ministries. Some pruning of ministries is indeed desirable, as also clubbing of departments that have synergy under one minister. But for this to translate into maximum governance, effective coordination has to be instituted.
Sri Lanka by contrast has been dividing ministries enthusiastically with some sectors such as agriculture being divided between five or more Ministers, resulting in endless overlaps, red tape and wastage of public resources. Modi has also warned his ministers they must now deliver on good governance, an aspect that is usually ignored across the Palk Strait.
The new council of ministers has the stamp of authority of India’s 15th Prime Minister. It is compact and businesslike, and firmly excludes token representation except in the case of the BJP’s allies in the ruling coalition, the National Democratic Alliance.
Obeisance to seniority has been given a miss. Muslim representation has been achieved through a political lightweight from the past. States that have contributed massively to the BJP’s victory in the elections have more ministers, though Rajasthan is a surprising omission from the Cabinet.
Some other large states, such as Bengal and Kerala, go altogether unrepresented. It seems Modi believes political representation is of the collective, not of any particular section. Nor has he allowed any rule to dictate his choice of ministers; even those defeated in the elections have made it.
Thus the country gets a new clutch of ministers, some who have proved their mettle, serving in the A. B. Vajpayee Government. The aim is clearly to openly eschew corruption scandals that dodged the previous Government, heaping criticism on Modi’s predecessor Dr. Manmohan Singh who despite being credited with liberalising India’s economy was unable to promote governance. His resounding silence eventually led not just to his demise but also that of the Congress.
Modi, perhaps in an attempt to subdue his critics, also emphasised on inclusivity. Taking time to reassure doubters that despite his controversial Hinduthva policies, he is very much a believer in the secularist ideals that have guided India’s post-independent journey. Such views have also been overshadowed in Sri Lanka in recent years by the advent of hardline Buddhist organisations that have led to spiralling violence, intolerance and extremism.
Modi’s streamlining of bureaucracy and focus on reducing red tape resonate his campaign promise of rolling out the red carpet for foreign investors. Initial indications are that the rest of South Asia would do well to follow Modi’s actions.
