News Summary
- The process of forming a new government with a clear majority post-election has begun, focusing on ministerial selection and portfolio distribution.
- Former Secretary Govinda Kusum emphasized that the prime minister must craft a plan and form a capable, accountable cabinet with a five-year priority agenda.
- The government must develop good governance, transparency, and an implementation-oriented system to avoid repeating past mistakes and address forthcoming challenges and opportunities, he added.
Following the election, the process to form a new government with a clear majority has commenced. The main focus remains on selecting ministers and dividing ministries. Given the strong mandate, the new leadership is under pressure to create a capable, accountable, and results-driven team with a clear vision. The incoming government faces the challenge and opportunity to develop good governance, transparency, and an implementation-oriented system to avoid repeating past weaknesses. In this context, an interview was conducted with former Secretary Govinda Kusum as follows:
Currently, the process of forming a new government after the election is underway. How should ministerial selection and portfolio distribution be handled?
As the government is formed according to the parliamentary system, there have been some tussles in the initial stage of assigning ministries. Such occurrences were common during coalition governments. Previously, there was also a tendency of ministers claiming specific ministries for personal gain, saying, ‘I want this particular ministry.’
However, the upcoming government has won by a landslide with an overwhelming majority. The most important factor now is that the leadership, especially the prime minister, must articulate how they intend to drive the country forward. The prime minister must present a clear vision because the government formed from the current parliament cannot afford to repeat past mistakes.
What should be done initially to avoid repeating errors?
First, a systematic framework must be developed. Governance culture should be established with clear systems and values. Efforts should focus on rooting the governance system’s ethos from the start. No one should now claim, ‘I will take so-and-so ministry.’ If that happens, it indicates underlying issues.
What kind of cabinet should the prime minister form?
The prime minister should assemble a capable team including experts from relevant fields. The previous practice where ministers ignored the prime minister’s directives must end. The prime minister should create a clear action plan outlining how to address administration, economy, industry, agriculture, and social development.
Timelines must be set—deciding which tasks to prioritize immediately, which to implement within a year or five years. This five-year blueprint must be transparent. Also, systems should be in place so the public can track progress.
There are many issues in service delivery. How can this be improved?
The government must develop quick and effective service delivery systems across all public sectors. Service personnel should be empowered and motivated. It must be clear that since the government is formed on the people’s hope, everyone should cooperate to ensure its success.
Responsibilities towards citizens must be cultivated. For this, the government needs to gain the trust of bureaucrats and technocrats in the administrative sector.
There are frequent complaints that employees do not work efficiently. How can this be resolved?
Employees are like the engine; the government is in the driver’s seat. The responsibility to start and drive the engine lies with those in the driver’s seat. If there are traffic jams or other issues, addressing them falls on the government and leadership. Ministers or the prime minister may appoint or remove secretaries, but achieving better results depends more on trusting capable employees.
There are voices that the number of ministries has grown too large. How should this be managed?
Although the number of ministries does not exceed legal limits, it is preferable to have smaller and more streamlined ministries. The prime minister and cabinet provide policy direction; the employees execute it. It’s not necessary to have many ministers or ministries—one minister can oversee two portfolios.
Consideration should also be given to how the central government can create a positive working environment for local governments. Local governments should be enabled to work with ease, resources, and trust. Even if local governments are from different parties, an environment of conflict should be avoided, as it hinders development and fulfillment of promises.
The government should no longer adopt a ‘I’ll do it myself’ mindset but actively engage on the ground. Field visits, monitoring work, listening to local plans and grievances, and managing them require a separate system. Establishing a dedicated unit within ministries to promptly resolve problems, provide information, and hold officials accountable is essential.
Members of Parliament often want ministries aligned with their expertise. Will this time be different?
The key factor depends on the vision of those in the driver’s seat. The prime minister holds the authority to appoint ministers. The prime minister must evaluate the capacity and aptitude of MPs to determine who can perform well in ministerial roles.
Just studying a subject does not guarantee the capability to handle it. Academic knowledge and practical skills differ. Some may lack practical experience. The prime minister must assess who can work on the ground and collaborate effectively. Leadership capacity must be developed. A good team must be formed and its performance monitored.
The government and prime minister must display a broad heart and vast vision. Holding office and implementing policies are different things. We must focus on how to work now rather than dwelling on the past.
Management of internal security, development, socio-economic issues, as well as ethnic, geographic, and gender disparities, is essential.
Foreign relations and geopolitical sensitivities must also be considered. Responsible leaders should be sensitive and restrained. Demonstrating results through work rather than words is the best approach.
Mandate for Good Governance Series –
