Q5 (b) To achieve holistic development goal, a civil servant acts as an enabler and active facilitator of growth rather than a regulator. What specific measures would you suggest to achieve this goal?

“The civil servant is not a mere tool of the government; he is a servant of the people.” – C. Rajagopalachari

For Viksit Bharat, civil services needs to shift from “weberian” rule-based bureaucracy to “democratic” and enabling bureaucracy.

Holistic Development Goals

Economic Inclusivity (Antyodaya).

Gender Equality

Environmental Sustainability

Human Capital development

Ease of Living

Good governance

Social harmony

Civil servant as regulator vs enabler

Measures needed

Promoting “Ease of compliance” and reducing “time-tax” on entrepreneurs and citizens. Eg- “Deemed Approvals” and Single Windows (Bibek Debroy Committee)

Attitudinal Transformation through “Mission Karmayogi” – From Mai-Baap (patronizing) culture toward a citizen-first approach.

Institutionalizing Participatory Governance- Eg- Participatory Budgeting model of Porto Alegre, Brazil

Strengthening Public-Private-Community Partnerships (PPCP)- Eg- In Kudumbashree in Kerala, civil servants facilitate growth by empowering 4.5 million women to run micro-enterprises.

Data-Driven Decision Making- Eg- Aspirational Districts Programme uses a real-time dashboard to rank districts – make DM as competitive facilitator of local development.

Adopting “Nudge Theory” for Social Engineering. Eg- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan succeeded because of community persuasion rather than just fining them for open defecation.

Promoting Frugal Innovation- Encouraging officers to solve local problems with available resources.

Safeguarding “Honest Discretion”by amending Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act

Facilitating “Last Mile” Digital Service Delivery through Common Service Centres (CSCs)

This can help civil servants become an enabler that unlocks the productive potential of citizens, markets and communities.

Accountability measures