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| Sunday, 30 October 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Operation 'Effective
Governance' :
New governing strategy to serve people better by Lt. Col. Susantha Seneviratne, RWP, RSP,Psc, Msc (retd) The proposed chain of governance The unemployment is gradually becoming a global issue; Sri Lanka being an under developed country, is contributing towards this end, in parallel with other nations of the third world; thus letting grouses of those 'frustrated' unemployed 'eclipse' the entire world. To solve this ever, aggravating problem, the education, which is regarded as the 'tool', must be used effectively; although this is, theoretically correct and may be applicable to certain countries, it works the other way in a country like Sri Lanka where education, along cannot fetch a suitable employment, commensurate to the qualifications possessed by oneself. The unemployment is not a problem of its own; it is a 'spin-off' from one or more of major problem/s, such as poor educational background, under-development, etc. In Sri Lanka, a kind of this situation may be attributed to the prevailing 'unstable' economy and political and security 'instability' at present. However, owing to rising population, shrinking of the infra-structure and resources that are required for human existence, is a global phenomena; and is an 'universal problem' of great concern that needs strict enforcement of remedial measures, such as 'birth control' and 'economical' and 'optimum' usage of resources, which is, indirectly conducive to increase the unemployment, worldwide. Education The unemployed in the country, today can be, generally categorized according to the qualifying standards: viz the graduates, the A/L and O/L qualified, and those studied upto O/L and below. But, there is a need to specify these 'qualifying standards' for each level, officially and clearly than the present. Also, it any is absolute necessity to amend the 'subject matter' of the curriculum along with the methodology of relevant tests/exams; to improve the quality, standard, and above all the practical knowledge / understanding of the qualified and dropouts; so that they would be able to fit themselves to various employments, with pre-qualifying standards. Hence; conducting the curriculum of higher education, particularly at 'exam point of view' and the relevant tests being 'exam oriented', must be avoided. Instead, the both must be 'vocationally oriented' where possible, according to various demands of the employments in the government and private sector. This is, to include various self-employments and the opportunities available in the fields of sports, music, etc. But, yet creating jobs would be the most difficult thing for any government, in both the government and private sectors for a huge number as that of the unemployed graduates. Even if the government and private sectors were made to expand, under various development programs and, also by offering 'concessions' to the private\business community as spelt out by a leading political party, creating vacancies that suit the qualifications of graduates will, not be an easy task as most of these vacancies/employments would require additional qualifications that of practical or, and prior-experience. Private sector In such case, the possible areas/fields, that may be considered for graduates, keeping their educational 'eligibility' in view are the administration and the management. Of these two, management would, require prior training, experience and additional qualifications; because it demands an ability of high standard to handle human resources and a sound 'decision-making aptitude'; the competence in both can, only be acquired from prior courses, exposures and experiences. Creating vacancies will necessitate prior expansion in the private / business sector, especially to cater a large quantum of the unemployed. In order to materialize this need, concessions granted to the private / business sector by the government is said to be an essential 'prerequisite'. But, even with concessions given to the private sector as advocated by the said political party, can those beneficiaries or that party when in power guarantee that those unemployed be absorbed into the private sector? In reality, this seems to be, rather remote; because most of these individual business entities may not be able to or would, not be willing to expand themselves, so as to offer/create new employments, due to the peculiarity/nature/capacity of their individual business activities. So, more business does not mean more jobs; But, of course there is, any absolute need for the business to expand; concessions must be given to the business sector not mere expectation of creating jobs but with the aim of creating 'conditions' and 'opportunities' to encourage/stimulate not only the businessman also the everyone; the farmers, including government servants to embark on various business ventures by investments and miscellaneous activities, so that currency begins to flow into commercial activities while circulating among the people. This will induce, even those unemployed to be self-employed. As for concessions, the priority must be given only to those business/private enterprises, which can assure of creating jobs for the unemployed. According to the present education and testing methodology, there is one thing clear and certain; most of those unemployed are, theoretically sound, average in uptake and are competent to follow/accomplish anything according to the book. Also, there is, no doubt that theirs skill to work in the mother language is above average. Considering these educational potentials, they may be, ideally employed to carry out a role of administration in any sector/field that deals with procedures, regulations, etc. In any case, the unemployment of the graduates should not be viewed, in isolation. Because, creating jobs is, as a solution to the unemployment should not cause another problem/burden/loss to the government; instead, it must, most appropriately work as a solution to another problem or as a remedy to a lapse/shortcoming in the administration or by way of strengthening the capacity of the State in governance. Most importantly, it should not be a 'liability'; or in other words, the government should not allocate any additional funds to maintain these jobs, thus to be created without causing a crisis in the treasury. Maladministration There are many lapses/shortcomings in government administration, particularly where the services to the public is provided; delay in service, lengthy procedures, corruption, inefficiency, etc. are some of them, which any government would strive to eliminate. With the existing administrative structure/mechanism, no government has, so far been able to exercise its governing 'authority' to make the public feel that they are being so 'governed', in terms of providing services, enforcement of law, rules and regulations, collection of revenues, levying taxes, etc. This includes the 'passage' of accurate and timely information to the last citizen of the country, which no governments, in power have ever thought of. Besides, the institutions providing these services to the public being situated at various locations, such as Colombo; thus compelling those, who live out of such locations to come to the same for obtaining State services, is a classic example to highlight the sheer 'weakness' of the government. The failure to scheme out an effective governing mechanism based on both 'geo-politics' and 'administrative politics' is a long-standing political lapse, which no governments have been able to identify/understand, to date. However, the effectiveness in governing administration depends on the 'capacity' of its system: e.g. to convey a 'State communique' accurately and speedily (within 24 hrs) to all the citizens of the country. If the present system is unable meet the said 'principle requisite' in governance then there is no use the government to be in power. Of the present system of 'channel of communication', the GS level is reckoned as the 'ultimate linking element', the capacity of which will enable the public to determine the effectiveness of the government. Governance In the military, it is the 'chain of command' that passes orders/instructions, from 'top to bottom' until the last soldier, irrespective whether he is in the front line or otherwise receives it, through the division, brigade, battalion, company, platoon and finally the 'section'; the level, at which the soldier, gets orders/instructions for action. In war, battles are fought by armies, corps, divisions, brigades, battalions, companies and platoons; but they are won by 'section'. So, all these explanations eventually boil down to one thing the importance of establishing an effective bottom line/level in the structure of channel of communication/command/governance. In the case of governance, it is the level of GS division; and this is where the effectiveness, efficiency, efficacy must come together to provide services to the public and to exercise the authority of the government. The present system of GS division is 'defunct' and 'obsolete' and that 'single-man show' must be abolished! It must be upgraded to a new administrative structure by 'modernizing' with IT system; so, this is where the unemployed graduates must be inducted into the governing service by appointing them as 'Sector Governing Administrator, (SGA) with a separate staff to be responsible for passing State communiques, liaison/inquiry/complains regarding all emergency/urgent/normal State service matters, health, technical matters of construction, tax/revenue collection, sports, welfare, etc.-functions that are essential to maintain the 'routine life' of all citizens. The Divisional Governing Administrator (DGA), who could, also be a graduate of higher grading/qualifications may be located in the 'electoral' division with his staff and shall undertake higher responsibilities, such as collection of revenues, levying taxes, issuing Ids/ DLs/ passports/ revenue licences, registration of births/deaths/lands/motor vehicles, etc. The two headquarters at 'district' and 'provincial' levels must supervise/administer/manage the both DGA and SDA. All other 'dormant' institutions, such as provincial governments/councils, urban councils, divisional secretariats, pradeshiya sabhas, etc. which, now play the role of a 'white elephant' should be dissolved! and their staff must be absorbed into this new system. This will enable all citizens of the country to have the State services within their reach-the best form of governance and welfare. With the 'increase' flow of revenue to the State, which would come as a result of the corruption free administration under this system, the treasury need not struggle to find a separate financial vote to maintain these new appointments. However, the need for this proposed chain governance to be a part of the 'overall master plan' ('grand governing strategy'), which should be based on the 'integration mechanism' of individual strategies of geoadmin-military and socio-economic politics, is a must. |
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