UPSC IAS Mains Public Administration Solved Exam Paper - 2011 (Paper -II)

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UPSC IAS Mains Public Administration Solved Exam Paper - 2011

Paper - II

Section-A

Q1. Attempt the following m not more than 200 words each: 20 x 3 = 60

(a) "Over-dependence on bureaucracy for bringing about socio-economic development in India has proved to be dysfunctional." Comment.

(b) "The performance of Lok Ayuktas in various States has been uneven." Comment with examples.

(c) Explain with appropriate illustrations the interface between' political culture and bureaucratic culture in contemporary India.

Answer:

(a) "Over-dependence on bureaucracy for bringing about socio-economic development in India has proved to be dysfunctional." Comment.

The main reason is that the bureaucracy is not able to cope up with the emerging challenges because of its colonial master’s mentality. On the other hand, frequent political interference in bureaucratic matter retard the process of development . Bureaucracy in India is more interested in regulatory administration rather than development administration. The personnel which are meant to be the engines of socio-economic change end up as mere agents of state. Bureaucracy in India is considered to have the following characteristics:-

too large and slow.
extremely rigid and mechanical.
consequently not flexible and adaptive to cope with change.
not innovative and enterprising.
low motivation and low morale.
accountability is low.
not democratic.
lack of expertise.

India adopted Weberian bureaucracy, it was made for the status quo and not to change the socio-economic system. According to Riggs development is equivalent to diffraction which include both administrative development and participation. We have focused on administrative development while ignoring the participation. Despite the talks of community involvement actual work at the ground level is done by bureaucracy. Both willingness and ability to participate is necessary for development. There is need of full involvement of NGO’s, Self help group and other voluntary agencies in development process to significantly enhance people’s participation.

(b) "The performance of Lok Ayuktas in various States has been uneven." Comment with examples.

The Lokayukta is an anti-corruption ombudsman organization in the Indian states. A closer look at the performance of Lokayuktas in Indian states does not create a very positive impression.

In Bihar the Lokayukta closed a case when he could not get a report from the state government for as long as eight years on the conduct of a minister.

In Andhra Pradesh, Governor Kumudben Joshi did not endorse the nomination for the office of Lokayukta made by Chief Minister N T Rama Rao, leading to the abolition of the institution for a while.

In Odisha the appointment of Lokpal was held up for as many as four years by its Chief Minister, J B Patnaik.

In Maharashtra, when the Lokayukta found two ministers of the state government guilty of malpractice, his report was considered politically motivated.

In Andhra Pradesh, when the Lokayukta successfully completed investigations against many civil servants and former and serving ministers, the High Court and the Administrative Tribunal came in the way of awarding punishment to them.

Although this picture was not bleak always but some commendable work was also done by the Lokayukta of Andhra Pradesh (during the first term of N T Rama Rao) and by that of Karnataka (during the tenures of R K Hegde and Birendra Patil) . The track record of the Lokayukta of Madhya Pradesh has also been satisfactory.

(c) Explain with appropriate illustrations the interface between' political culture and bureaucratic culture in contemporary India.

In India political culture is identified with generalist approach. It represents the dynamic aspiration of the society and creates a framework for political change. On the other hand bureaucratic culture is technical and specialist in nature because bureaucracy is instrumental in carrying out all public activities in legal manner with standard procedure.

In India bureaucratic culture is more developed rather than political one ,so it is the main reason of rift between the two. Administrative culture is more hierarchial and political one is more democratic . In theory they have to work in smooth and frictionless manner but in practice, there are many instances of friction between the two.

In case of General VK Singh age controversy ,the then Defence Minister AK Antony blamed army for the whole issue stating that age discrepancy was noticed by the army in 2006.

In coalgate scam involving illegal allocation of coal blocks to several firms,the then Chairman of Screening Committee PC Parakh held that during allocation Coal Secretary makes the recommendation while the final approval is given by Minister.

Durga Shakti Nagpal , a young civil servant found herself amid huge media attention ,political debate and row between federal and state government,after she was suspended allegedly for her ordering the destruction of a wall that was to form the part of a mosque.

These instances show that though political representatives as well as administrators are both known to be meant for the service of the society and nation, there is huge difference between political and bureaucratic culture in India.

Q2.

(a) Discuss the evolution of the role of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) since independence. 30 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

(b) "Administrative reforms get diluted because of constant tinkering on the margin rather than a holistic transformation." Discuss the statement in the context of reforming district administration in India. 30 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q3.

(a) Comment on the following statement: 30 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
"The Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) of India is a prosecutor with a law that hobbles. its functioning, a judge without the 'power to sentence and a litigant with no right to appeal."

(b) "Indian federalism is passing through a state of potential maturity." Discuss this statement in the context of the views of the Commission on Centre-State Relations (Justice M. M. Punchi). 30 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q4.

(a) "The theme of Police Reforms continues to haunt the Parliament." In the light of this statement, discuss the state of Criminal Justice System administration in India. 30 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

(b) 'Performance Appraisal Systems' with special reference to the Performance Management and Evaluation System (PMES) are expected to transform the bureaucratic culture of Indian administration. Do you agree? Give reasons. 30 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Section-B

5. Attempt the following in not more than 200 words each: 20x3=60

(a) "The real problem of administrative reforms in India at the State and the local levels is that they are imposed from above." Comment. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

(b) Discuss the basic principles of 'New Localism' as a part of the global-local debate. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

(c) "Absence of District Planning Committees in a large number of districts has prevented convergence of planning at the district level." Examine the above statement with examples. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q6.

(a) (i) "One Lok Pal, howsoever strong I it may be, cannot eliminate corruption in the , politico- administrative system in India." Comment. 15 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(ii) "Grievance redressal system is perhaps the weakest link in India's civil service management," Comment. 15 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

(b) "Community policing has become a victim of elite capture." Discuss the concept of community policing and bring out the implications of the above statement. 30 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q7.

(a) Can the holding company's structure act as an institutional change to add to efficiency? Give your answer with appropriate illustrations. 30 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

(b) Examine the institutional vulnerability of municipal. governance in the midst of an ‘emerging spectre of multiple partnerships. 30 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q8.

(a) (i) Identify the different conceptual categories of disasters. 15 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(ii) Write a note on the the new culture of disaster management. 15 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

(b) "Disaster insurance is 'desirable but not an easy proposition to implement." Illustrate with suitable examples. 30 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)