Officers can have many excuses for pending files. But there is a strong perception among people that files move quickly to those who have influence and are ready to hand over the reins. This understanding is reinforced by experience. Although the Prime Minister has reminded that every file is a life, the officers do not approach the files in a way that includes it. Officers are keen to see the reasons why each file is pending.
The first thing that needs to change is the current system where decision-making authority over files is concentrated only at the top. But the people at the bottom never dare to take responsibility for making decisions. No one has ever decided to make a decision on a file in so many days. So the reality is that the files of the non-influential ones don’t even move that fast. The first thing needed to change this is decentralization of power, which enforces the rule that the files that need to be decided on the ground floor should not be left to the top. The Secretariat has a complete e-file system. This helps to process the file faster. Yet the second edition of the file settlement drive has also failed to deliver the intended results. As of December 15, there are 93,014 pending files in the Secretariat alone. It cannot be said that there was no effort on the part of the officers in the second yajna. They disposed of 82,401 files out of 1,75,415 files. That’s the big thing. However, apart from this, 7,89,623 files are pending at departmental level. Most of the pending files are in the local section. 2,51,769 files. No one can give a definite answer when asked if this will stop. If the process is expedited to avoid delays in the files where evidence is to be taken, the cases can be disposed of except for those in question.
Delays in policy decisions due to inconvenience by the Prime Minister and ministers have also hampered the file disposal campaign. Ministers should set aside at least one day a week for such matters. In any ministry, the biggest obstacle to file transfer is the finance department. They will shelve many files without making a decision due to a financial crisis. This does not lead to any particular benefit. Finally, when the financial benefit is allowed in the file, the arrears for that period will have to be paid. Even if various departments hold arrears, half of the files can be settled. Such moves need to be given more urgency.
