Red Tape
Alleviating
through understanding than by abusing…
(Common situations encountered)
A
(after 4-5 visits and follow-ups): when it will get done?
B
gives a blank look...
A: a
speculation as to when it will get done?
B
(now with a killer look): you want perfect answers to every question! (disguising the fact that he/she actually doesn’t
know the answer to that question).
'A' thinks it
was a genuine question. 'B' (a govt official with more than 30 yrs of
experience) thinks A is being too demanding. And with the next follow-up starts
the pleader’s act.. Are sirji ho jaega dekhiye me proof laya hu etc., etc. with
'B' turning a panjandrum in the eyes of 'A'.
For 'A' it is time consuming,
burdensome and ineffective red tape and for 'B' it might be adherence to rules
and procedures he ought to follow being at that position. Here we see that the
definition of RED TAPE is relative.
Red tape exists everywhere in the
world and is certainly time consuming, reduction of which can definitely lead
to better productivity. However it should also be acknowledged that it is quiet
impossible to eliminate it completely. The only reaction of people like 'A' is
to discuss and abuse bureaucratic procedures and claim as to how the system
ought to be. That is quiet a natural reaction on their part as they are only
aware of their own situation and not of the bureau. Whereas 'A' is simply
ensuring that there is no breach of law during the process.
A
bureau has to serve diverse people and their diverse purposes. And hence this
phenomenon is perceived differently by different people. And so people will
suggest improvements according to their individual experiences and keeping in
mind their own convenience. A system free of red tape seems to be surreal;
however its ill-effects can always be reduced by way of improving the process
models.
One
way to make a problem more tolerable is to understand the problem by looking it
from other than observed angle. Viewing these procedures by placing oneself in
the position of the official’s one would realize it is easy to give suggestions
based on a single experience but it is a humongous task to make them
practicable. Dealing with such situations calls for a lot of patience from all
the people involved in the transaction. A closer look while understanding red
tape will reveal that it is the outcome of both internal and external
environment of the bureau/organization. Also it would be wrong on our part to
portray it only as something that is burdensome and a consequence of bad
management. It is should be recognized that its intended purpose is to ensure
compliance to norms and regulations leading to transparency which serves public
accountability. Best way to ensure transparency (thereby accountability) is by
putting a check at the elementary level which drills down to the procedures
involved in carrying a certain task. Hence organizations put emphasize on
foolproof procedures which most of the times result in red tapes. Lastly
ineffective governance doesn't always mean bad governance.
There is no second thought that red
tape whether in bureaus or other organizations whether interdepartmental or
intradepartmental lowers the performance and hence impedes progress.
Nevertheless the ill-effects of red tape can be mitigated strategically by
constantly refining enterprise process models. For this organizations need to
be proactive. Creating awareness among the parties involved would also help
greatly. People’s reaction (viz., the greatest feedback) play the most
important part in this task of improvement.
Hoping for a customized solution from
bureaus/organizations (for whom immediate benefit is not sensed) is not a
pragmatic approach to this problem. It is better to confront the situation
patiently than hoping for impossible immediate miracles. Abusing and suggesting
seeming expediencies but actually impracticable ideas will lead nowhere.
Understanding reasons behind a particular situation is an intelligent way to
approach things and problems. It doesn’t mean giving up in the face of red
tapes; it is just coping with the situation by finding ways which would
diminish the degree of the problem.
Reacting tends to worsen situations
and thinking patiently always gives new insights… It’s about the choice…
PS:
The origin of the term is somewhat obscure, but it is first noted in historical
records in the 16th century, when Henry VIII besieged Pope Clement VII with
around eighty or so petitions for the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of
Aragon.
Friday 9 December, 2011
