(Image source from: Modi's mantra reaches China})
Did you think only Indian government offices have been affected by Narendra Modi becoming prime minister. You could not be more wrong. Modi's mantra of cleanliness and punctuality has reached Chinese soil. How? Through a Chinese daily.
A Chinese daily in Beijing reported that Indian government offices have been energised into action after after Narendra Modi came to power. Now the prime minister and his ministers conduct surprise checks on their bureaucracy to see whether the office staff is punctual. Besides, offices are cleared of clutter and kept clean to bring efficiency in the government offices, reported the Chinese daily on Tuesday.
The Global Times reported that ministers have been conducting surprise checks to ensure punctuality of the officials. Government offices are being cleared of old furniture and senior officials have been asked to clear files immediately. Even ministers are clearing files, which includes pending files from the previous government. The New Delhi-datelined article had the headlined “Indian bureaucracy shaken up, more transparent after election win”.
The newspaper also pointed out that Pm Narendra Modi works for 18 hours on an average – from 5.30 am to after 1 am.
Another English-language newspaper from the People's Daily, the official organ of the Chinese Communist Party, also carried a story on the working style of the Modi government. The daily pointed out that officials have strict orders to be in office from 9 am to after 6 pm. If there is any extra work, government officials have to clear it by staying in office till after the working hours.
Saturdays are like working holidays as the officials often take work back home. Senior bureaucrats, like departmental secretaries have the responsibility to ensure that the office premises are neat and clean - no dust, no old furniture, no paper files piled up on desks, no betel leaf-stained corners, reported the People's Daily.
After Narendra Modi became PM, the Chinese media has been chronicling the Indian government's moves and policies very closely.
The Chinese Daily reported that the Indian prime minister directed his officials to adopt the electronic way for clearing files. The daily termed Modi tech savvy and said that he directed officials not to have piles of files on their desks and that everything has to be computerised. The article also highlighted Modi's penchant for cleanliness.
The article said that Modi himself kept tab of office cleanliness. In his first month in office Modi himself took rounds of the Prime Minister's Office, through its corridors and taking a look into each room - something none of his predecessors have done. Sight of unkempt corners, dirty tea cups and plates and officials loitering around was frowned upon by Modi.
The Chinese are known for their cleanlineness fetish and Chinese visitors to India have been aghast by the dirt and filth at public spaces in the cities of India. The Chinese newspaper stated that under the previous regimes lower-level bureaucrats and their assistants were notorious for taking long breaks.
During the winter monts, the vast lawns of the central government offices in Delhi would be filled with government officials, who enjoyed prolonged lunch breaks eating, chatting and napping, while senior officials would be oplaying golf or cooling themselves at some exclusive club.
While citing examples of officials being late for office, the Chinese daily cited the example of Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, who reached office at 9 am only to find quite a few offices empty.
The newspaper also pointed out that Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar arrived at his office at 9.15 am and found many chairs vacant. Following which a circular was issued warning officials of disciplinary action in case they are late again.
During the previous regime, most government officials would reach office at 11 am or even later and would leave by 6.30 pm. And working on Saturdays was a rare event. Under Modi regime, all officials are in their table by 9 am. Senior officials work till 8 pm and also on Saturdays and Sundays, if required.
The new government is ensuring that things move fast - files are cleared within minutes and decisions are taken fast. Top officials ensure that everything is neat and clean, even toilets are inspected. During the previous government, no official seemed to care for work. Though rigourous, most officials are happy about the new work culture and have welcomed the change.
(AW: Pratima Tigga)
