Bureaucracy in the time of corona
The coronavirus pandemic has created a crisis situation, the like of which I have not seen in my life so far. I am not exactly young, being over sixty, and this is a telling reflection on the scale and magnitude of the crisis. It is my first experience of such a long lockdown. As district magistrate, I do recall imposing a curfew in select areas, particularly after demolition of the Babri Masjid, but this used to be for a limited period of five to seven days. Floods, droughts and earthquakes have occurred in the past but none had the impact of pushing people indoors. I have read about the Spanish flu of 1918, which impacted India hugely, killing abut 14 million people. Social distancing and handwashing was practised even at that time, but there was no lockdown of this scale, which has brought all economic activity to a halt.
The Indian response to the pandemic by imposing an early lockdown has been appreciated internationally. It has been a severe measure, but has helped in not allowing a community spread of the virus so far. Many countries, which were slow in responding, are paying the price for this. Of course, the lockdown has thrown the plight of migrant workers on our faces and governments are still battling with it.
The situation has raised serious governance challenges. The administration has to provide essential commodities to all. Food, shelter and cash have to be provided to the poor. Life and livelihood are both essential and the governance apparatus has to ensure this with a right mix of good policies and effective implementation. This is an acid test for the bureaucracy. We must salute the doctors, nurses and paramedics for their selfless service. The entire government machinery is working on a war footing. The silent, anonymous bureaucracy
is covering itself with glory by their role in advising in policy-making and implementation on the ground. The much maligned bureaucracy is showing that it can deliver if the right working environment is provided to it.
In this battle against the coronavirus, it is the ‘institution’ of the district magistrate which is leading from the front. It is empowered under the archaic Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897. All over the country, the district magistrates are enforcing the lockdown, using the police force and providing essential commodities.
Success stories are flowing in from all over India. It is true that Agra is still reeling under the impact of the coronavirus, but it could have been much worse but for the efficiency and dynamism of the DM. The Bhilwara model is another success story where a severe crisis was averted. Then again, the district magistrates of Kerala have done a commendable job because of which the southern state has bucked the national trend.
I strongly feel that the work done by these district officers needs to be appreciated and documented so that it can be made part of the internal security plan of each district. The documentation would provide a ready template for the future just like the floods and drought plans of a district do.
The gradual relaxation of the lockdown and opening up of the economy will now truly test the mettle of the district magistrates. They have to avoid escalation of the pandemic as well as allow the economy to get going. It will require a delicate balance and a lot of risk-taking.