Make Haste Slowly.

 During the course of the recently concluded General Elections, the bureaucrats in the   ministries and departments were tasked to prepare action plans for the first 100 days after the formation of the new government which was said to be a usual practice prior to transition of governments. However, this time over, the outgoing government added that as it was sure of returning to power with a higher majority, these plans would provide continuity of action to fulfil its guarantees in the election rallies.

Contrary to its expectation, a new coalition government under the outgoing BJP Prime Minister has taken over with the support of two major and a few smaller regional parties. This will impact the tempo of continuity of old and new policies because the coalition partners with different priorities and agenda may not necessarily be on the same page as the BJP.

It is here that the caption of this piece and an old adage “Make Haste Slowly” should   come to guide the new government in its functioning.  “Look before leaping and take counsel of experience” are democratic axioms. In the past, there have been   instances of hasty decision and implementation of vital policy like demonetization, pandemic lockout, farm laws, the Agniveer project for induction of jawans in armed forces etc., resulting in untold human and economic suffering of the people. In retrospect, they proved to be hastily conceived plans, not well thought through and with little or no preparation or facilitation of the people to face the impact.   

Some coalition partners have already indicated the need to revisit some schemes like Agniveer and make it more responsive to the needs of people. As per newspaper reports, a Committee of Secretaries is on the job of including some changes. Similarly other areas of contention merit detailed debate and discussion in a free and fair manner. This is nothing unknown in Parliamentary democracy but was somehow not   followed in the recent past.   

Apart from political parties, there have also been groups of retired civil servants, armed forces personnel, judges, eminent industrialists etc who have now and then raised their voices on issues concerning civil rights, public good, governance etc. Due consideration of their accumulated wisdom and experience must be given. This does not in any mitigate the supremacy of Parliament or the Government.