Need for Convergence
BY Dr Arvind Kumar
Convergence in policy formulation and implementation is a sine qua non of good governance. Convergence encompasses cooperation, coordination, avoidance of collision and change for better. Recent measures of linking Ministry of Earth Sciences with Ministry of Science and Technology and carving a separate Ministry for Drinking Water and Sanitation out of the Ministry of Rural Development by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in his Cabinet reshuffle show slight amount of convergence. Still a lot more needs to be done.
The subject of water does not fall in the exclusive domain of the Central Ministry of Water Resources. It is being dealt with by, apart from Ministry of Water Resources, other ministries like Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Urban Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health etc. as well. It is a welcome move that a separate Ministry for Drinking Water and Sanitation has been created out of the Ministry of Rural Development. However, policy planning and its implementation with regard to water-related issues are being undertaken by each ministry/department independently. This entails investment of lot of money and manpower. This necessitates inter-ministerial and inter-departmental convergence in water sector. There are various other subjects that are being dealt with by more than ministry. Inter-ministerial and inter-departmental convergence in policy implementation can ensure speedy results with transparency, money-saving and yield better results. There is dire need for facilitating inter-ministerial and inter-departmental convergence.
