A minister can be appointed in an afternoon, but doing the job well takes knowledge of government, a good grasp of the department and the ability to turn decisions into action.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is considering changes to his Council of Ministers. The people he chooses will have a major say in what his government can achieve.

Regional balance, party loyalty, public image and competing claims all influence the choice of ministers. 

The Chief Minister and the party president understand these concerns better than anyone outside the party. They must also ask one important question: can a minister get the bureaucracy to work effectively?

This ability is especially important in Jammu and Kashmir, where the elected government shares administrative powers with the Lieutenant Governor.

Under amendments notified in July 2024, proposals on the posting and transfer of Administrative Secretaries, and on cadre posts of All India Services officers, go to the Lieutenant Governor through the Chief Secretary. 

A minister is held responsible for a department’s performance but may lack control over a key tool needed to manage it. An officer may look to the person who decides his next posting rather than the minister he serves.

This is a problem with the system, rather than individual officers. Many civil servants remain sincere, responsive and committed to public service. But goodwill alone cannot make a system work. 

The way power is divided........

© Kashmir Observer