Need to have decentralised system for implementing policies: Bimal Jalan

Kolkata: Amid controversies over the independence of various institutions in the country under the present Central government, former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Bimal Jalan on Sunday said there should be a decentralised system in terms of implementing policies.

Jalan also called for “political reforms” in order to alleviate poverty in the country and to realise economic potentials.

“We do not have to have imperial heritage in terms of governance. The Centre or the state can decide on a policy but the implementation and accountability of the performance has to be centred on the institutions, which is not happening,” Jalan said while addressing the 202nd Founders’ Day Celebration organised by Presidency University and the Presidency Alumni Association here.

He referred to the Election Commission (EC), the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) which, according to him, perform well as they are accountable to the people of India.

“It has to be decentralised. Policy decision (can be taken) by the government but implementation (should be done) by independent institutions like UPSC, Election Commission, CAG... Once the institutions have been set up for public interest and to serve the public, then they should be autonomous,” Jalan said on the sidelines of the programme.

He added that the administrative system needs to be strengthened and made much more “public oriented rather than government oriented, which is the case now”.

Despite having strong economic fundamentals and factors of production which are among the best in the world, the country has a large number of people living below the poverty line and its ranking in the Human Development Index is low, he said. (IANS)

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