FEATURES NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

By Dr.Niranjan Prasad Upadhyay

BUREAUCRACY is an administrative structure, staffed by a professional body of officials. In theory, it involves a carefully defined division of tasks, following formally defined rules and procedures. The organisation is a disciplined hierarchy, in which officials are subject to the a ModeModern administrative systems like the civil service, are based on the bureaucratic model. One of the problems of bureaucracy is an inherent tension between uniformity, which is convenient for large-scale administration, and flexibility, which is necessary in dealing with individual cases. In practice, bureaucracies are sometimes deficient, revealing tendencies to excessive rigidity, delay, and unresponsiveness (the popular image of 'red tape'); or else to waste, corruption, and abuse of power. In some countries, the public may have redress against bureaucratic maladministration through administrative law and recourse to an ombudsman.

The bureaucracy is characterised by highly routine operating tasks achieved through specialisation, very formalised rules and regulations, tasks that are grouped into functional departments, centralised authority, narrow spans of control, and decision-making that follows the chain of command. Furthermore, bureaucratic mechanism must be founded on merit and must remain free from political patronage and must be driven by a sense of justice, fair play and efficiency. The Word Bank (1997b) highlights that merit-based selection is associated with bureaucratic capability in public agencies that provides further support.Bureaucracy is a professional corps of officials organised in a pyramidal hierarchy and functioning under impersonal, uniform rules and procedures. In this context, Nepalese personnel management researchers highlight the foremost and challenging functions of Nepalese bureaucrats. They categorise bureaucrat's functions into three groups; functions which need not be performed by the government and can be conveniently relinquished in favour of agencies other than the government; functions which should be performed under the present management structure and system; functions which can be performed under the present management structure but in an improved manner.In the context of Nepalese bureaucracy, there is lack of open communication between the top-level executives and middle level managers. Consequently, Nepalese bureaucracy faces diversified challenges i.e. decision-making, problems in corruption free environment, lack of honesty, inability to manage conflict, agreement with donor agencies, program formulation, lack of negotiation capability in seminar and trade and treaty agreement. At the same time, in day-to-day official proceedings, there is also lack of teamwork, participation and computer-based information systems. Generally, there are some officers who usually say top-level officers make policies; they should not offer their sincere opinions until called for.

Making decisions is a routine work of every manager in bureaucracy. The quality of decision-making affects the survival of the organisation. Nepalese researchers stress that Nepalese employees are simply made to work without encouraging much to exercise their own imagination, ingenuity, creativity and so on. The managers generally avoid employees' participation in decision-making process. Most decisions are made at the top level and subordinates are simply made to follow them.

In an analytical story, a National Magazine stresses that along with a strong institutional framework, effectiveness in the decision-making process depends on the efficiency and commitment of senior officers. In many offices of Nepal, a secretary who often participates in the decision-making process delivers quick result. In other cases, senior officials maintain a dominating approach, which invariably raises endless roadblocks. The decision-making process is always tedious and lengthy.

It is agreed that unless bureaucrats are motivated to make sufficient potential to perform effectively, they may not achieve the level of performance that is desired from them. Especially, external and internal environments influence government and non-government organisations. A single organisation does not exist alone. It is part of a larger system that contains thousands of other elements
Environment influences the attitudes of people and affects working conditions. Basically, congenial environment within organisation always motivates the workers and helps to meet the targeted objectives successfully. Generally, feedback, motivation, fair competition and open discussion may create healthy environment within organisation. Also in organisation, workers find more joy in work when there is cooperation and teamwork.

Nepalese bureaucratic managers seem to be managing for survival rather than results. In the context of managerial decision-making, Nepalese managers are not much concerned about improving organisational effectiveness. It is a fact that the general people do not get prompt services from the government staff. Also they forward ready-made answer like "come tomorrow". In this situation, it is hard to build up "social status" of the Nepalese bureaucrats. Basically, the bureaucrats are less motivated and have low morale. Generally , frequent change of rule and regulation pertaining to promotion also lead to frustration and stress. Furthermore, Performance Appraisal System, transfer and placement as well as distribution of prizes to the bureaucrats should be reviewed by the government .

The incidence of corruption in public life has assumed frightening proportions. It has not only spread to every part of the government machinery, but has had a more rapid growth amongst the political leadership at all levels. Everywhere, to a greater or lesser extent, public employees are put under strain by the pressures exerted by politicians and by influential citizens, who seek special and speedy favours.EssentialSuch conditions force government employees to buckle under either the pressure or temptation and act in a manner that is contrary to established laws and regulations, or to be identified as "troublemakers" to be eased out in the near future. The unethical behavior on the part of administrators is mostly resultant product of constitutional, political, psychical, socio-economic and the administrative environment prevailing in the society.

In conclusion, principally, to secure an efficient civil service it is essential to protect it from political and personal influences. In countries where this principle has been neglected, an inefficient and disorganised civil service has been the inevitable result and corruption has been rampant.

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