One of the issues of the former government was its sheer size! With 20-odd ministries, a culture of creating positions for people rather than finding people for positions had been rampant. Needless to say it was a very unpopular policy within the young educated segment of the population.
When the structure of the new government was discussed, the fact that it had 14 government ministries was certainly a welcome change, although, I must note that it could have been even slimmer. Civil Aviation and Communication could have been absorbed into Transport (although the current transport, housing ministry is pretty big even as it is) and the fisheries and agriculture portfolio could have been absorbed into economic development. However, given the fact that its a mainstream industry that is connected with a large part of the population, the government might have made a political decision to keep a separate fisheries and agriculture ministry.
Hence, in that sense, it is all understandable - and then came the three state ministers!
I really don't see the fisheries and agriculture ministry being that huge a ministry. I agree that it is an area that can be really developed and it could produce a lot more output in the medium to long term if planned well. However, why does it need 3 state ministers? And that too in addition to the Minister, and the possible deputy minister(s) and the permanent secretary!
I really do hope that this is not setting a trend. When ministries become too 'top heavy' it tends to be unproductive. More importance has to be given to develop the civil service - to empower it so that policy decisions can be taken at cabinet level which would then be communicated/discussed by the Minister with the civil servants who would in turn implement them.
Further, such appointments would not score the government any political points either. Too many ministerial level positions would only create the suspicion that it is after all a policy where positions are created for various people and not the other way around. If that happens, then the positive side of the drastically cut down number of ministries might be overshadowed.
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7 comments:
is this not EXACTLY what has happnd??? Sure, the number of ministries has been downsized- but as is evident from all these State ministers, deputies, envoys, advisers, pimps and what not, it's all a farce!!!
I hate to say to everyone, I told ya so....
But effectively the old order has been replaced by a a far more dangerous conniving alliance. The reality is that in a monetary based political system, this is almost impossible to stop.
What we can do therefore is to try and hold these people accountable; and this requires a vibrant, motivated, educated civil society (that is able to recognize the leaks through the inherent cracks in the system)and independent non-partisan institutions that ensure this accountability & transparency....
Already we are seeing them slowly manifest itself, in all it's glory;the cabinet and it's army of deputies and state ministers have been assembled. Consider how easily all cabinet portfolios have been endorsed en mass!!!
Mention also has been made that resort operators should be able to own those islands....
So it's just beginning...we can only hope that these 'elected champions of the people' look down on the rest of us kindly once in a while eh..
So, you can say it my friends... our worst fears has already come to pass.
Now we need to look for another dhivehi rajje again...no wonder anni is trying to buy land...as we can see the oppressed is quickly becoming the oppressor. Who is going to rise this time to such political foulplay?
anyway, i like the fact you publish comments at once...no oppression there
anonymous @ November 13, 2008 12:31 PM
I would like to think that this blog is 'Article 27 compliant'
Thanks
I welcomed the change although I was never a huge fan of Anni himself.. I welcome the changes he brought with support of others. But his recent speaches and appointments is a bit worryism.. lets hope its the just the newness to the job and it passes..
It will never pass! It is a preplanned, here to stay alliance. The wolves have packed to together and the smaller animals will just have to wait and watch. Find a hiding place so when they come charging you are safe,that is of course if there is such a place..... Mark my word this is going to be far worse than Maumoon and his so called dictatorship!
being a dictator per se is not a problem, its what the dictatorship does thats the issue. why dont we give the alliance a chance to see what it does.
change doesnt happen in a day. lets wait and see if the ends justify the means....
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