A centralising Budget?
Tuesday, 15 November 2016
Much will be written about the 140-page opus that is the 2017 Budget Speech. I was reflecting on a cross-cutting theme that would capture its essence. What emerged, to my surprise, was centralisation: efficiency-destroying, innovation-killing, impractical and counter-productive centralisation.
Efficiency-destroying centralisation
The exhibit is para 380:
“We will also establish a Central Procurement Agency, which will procure stationery, office equipment, etc. centrally. It is estimated initially with this Rs. 1,500 million mechanism, the Government will be able to save at least Rs. 4,000 million per annum.”
So for a government department to get a packet of half sheets, forms would have to be filled, calls would have to be made and vehicles dispatched. Anyone who has run a government organisation, as I have, or worked in one, knows how difficult it is to get approvals and concurrences from other government organisations. One has to develop relationships, revive old school friendships and make follow-up phone calls to prevent other people’s inaction from getting in the way of completion of one’s work.
“We will also establish a Central Procurement Agency, which will procure stationery, office equipment, etc. centrally. It is estimated initially with this Rs. 1,500 million mechanism, the Government will be able to save at least Rs. 4,000 million per annum.”So for a government department to get a packet of half sheets, forms would have to be filled, calls would have to be made and vehicles dispatched. Anyone who has run a government organisation, as I have, or worked in one, knows how difficult it is to get approvals and concurrences from other government organisations. One has to develop relationships, revive old school friendships and make follow-up phone calls to prevent other people’s inaction from getting in the way of completion of one’s work.
A centralising Budget.docx by Thavam Ratna on Scribd
