The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Overhaul begins after `Verdict 2004'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 31, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Overhaul begins after `Verdict 2004'

By V. Jayanth

CHENNAI, MAY 30. The Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, has moved to the second stage of her review exercise after `Verdict 2004'. Following the repeal of some unpopular measures and a rollback of some reforms, she has effected what is considered to be the first phase of a large-scale official reshuffle.

The major overhaul in the administrative machinery has been done at the district level and officials expect it to move into the secretariat level in the next phase. Some changes effected yesterday were overdue, say official sources. Because of the intervening elections, no transfers could be effected for over three months. Similarly, Secretary-level changes are said to be on the cards, as May-June happens to be the annual transfer time.

The All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime has completed three years in office and has another two years before the Assembly elections are due in 2006. It is time for the administration to start delivering on promises and correct the balance that has been lost in the parliamentary elections. Political circles say that the elections came at the wrong time in southern States, which are reeling under a drought — for the third successive time in some regions. A dismal agricultural sector and an inadequate drinking water supply situation did many of the ruling parties in, be it in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka or Tamil Nadu. The feeling, even in AIADMK circles, is that despite a relatively more "responsive and efficient government'', Tamil Nadu succumbed to the anti-incumbency wave which swept the country. But there is also the feeling that except the Chief Minister, none of the party leaders or Ministers could explain to the people whatever "good'' the government had done in three years, leave alone what it could call "its achievements''. This is seen as a major failing of the ruling party. As such, the rollback of all measures has only sent out the signal that the government is "undoing the damage that has been caused to the social fabric.''

Besides antagonising large sections — including government employees and teachers — the AIADMK did not focus on "good governance''. Instead of merely holding the officials responsible for the poll debacle, the Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary has to look within the party and the government to set the house in order. Many party seniors were sidelined and marginalised at the "Kolapakkam exercise,'' where Ms. Jayalalithaa handpicked a new team to run party affairs at the district level. The experience, the expertise and the organising capacity of these seniors were lost. Even mobilising crowds at party meetings posed a problem in many districts, as the sulking seniors withdrew from the scene. Perhaps sensing this, Ms. Jayalalithaa reinducted a few of them, notably K.A. Sengottaiyan, former Minister. But that was too late. While it is good for any party to rejuvenate itself and induct fresh faces, the experience of old-timers should not be lost, argue AIADMK sources.

Party sources advocate a thorough revamp of the Cabinet. Though Ms. Jayalalithaa has been frequently "tinkering'' with her Cabinet, there has been no complete review of the "performance'' of each minister, they say. Party seniors are convinced that a major part of the existing team "will not pass muster'' if put through the yardstick the Chief Minister applies to officials.

They want the Chief Minister to go for "a more functional, responsive, accountable and efficient team of Ministers,'' who can make a useful contribution. In the remaining two years, this may make a difference, instead of depending only on the official machinery. The Ministers who were in charge of their native districts to deliver at the political level too.

It is not just populist measures which can win elections. Goodies and election gifts can tilt the balance, but officials and ruling party circles are convinced that people now expect "good governance and a responsive administration.''

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