Letters: Resist the easy way out

The editorial, "Maximum governance" (April 22), is absolutely correct when it says in the final paragraph that "the use of technology and improved techniques of security management should have received greater attention to bring the runaway increase in headcount in these two ministries under some check". This sums up the focus of the editorial, coming as it does after the government's announcement of adding 218,000 employees - over six per cent of the existing strength - in just two years.

One can't question the need to beef up the revenue department and internal security apparatus; but the numbers could be much smaller if the tools were at their disposal: greater mechanisation in the revenue department and modern equipment for the security forces.

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Even in India's defence set-up, the handicap is not the headcount of valiant men and women but the total neglect of upgrade to sophisticated weaponry, tanks, aircraft, battleships, etc.

Likewise, in the railways, the solution lies in the increased use of the latest technology rather than in taking pride in "being the largest employer in the world".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is indeed committed to his statement "maximum governance through minimum government" as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is to fiscal prudence. But Modi will need to pay more attention to the use of technology for increasing productivity. His handling of the bureaucracy has already shown results; there is no reason his initiative of productivity through technology will not succeed. Let's not opt for the easy way out to alleviate the acute need for jobs creation through increased hiring by the government.

Krishan Kalra, Gurgaon

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