Preventive Vigilance is the only tool for Good Governance

In the topic itself there are two important words 'Vigilance' and 'Good Governance'. Unless we understand these two, we cannot arrive at an appropriate solution. In this context, vigilance essentially concerns human source. 

Oxford dictionary defines vigilance as keeping careful watch over the possible dangers and difficulties. World Bank defines corruption as use of public office for private gains. Mathematically constructed:- Corruption = Discretion + Mystification - Accountability. Here discretion means power to take decision but it also mean deferring decision under similar circumstances with different interpretation. Mystification connotes lack of transparency. 

To avoid corruption to perpetuate, the tool of vigilance is used. Vigilance is of three types - preventive, participative and punitive. Preventive vigilance involves studying  the organization, its policies and its people; and  implementing effective measures so that these do not become vulnerable to corruption. Participative vigilance involves participation of all stakeholders and well wishers  within the organization and from outside, example, whistleblower policy and RTI act. But this is voluntary in nature and do not cast any obligation for participation. Punitive vigilance comes into picture when corruption has already been committed and punishment is granted to have deterrent effect on others. 

Good governance means making best possible policy decisions and implementing in the most effective manner. The main objective of any organization is growth and this can be achieved- not through machines or materials- but through men, human resource. The organization grows at a faster speed when it's employees are energetic and inspired. The management should not use such measures which results in creating an environment of pessimism. An effective manager deals not with his employees, but with the minds of his employees. 

Now, it becomes necessary to understand the psychology of the people. When I was studying in school, the basic principle of our parents and  teachers was 'spare the rod, spoil the child'. Today parents understand that to inculcate creativity and to enhance productivity, it is better to encourage, and not to punish, children to desist from doing wrong things. We must also remember that so long as the underlying causes like human greed persists, corruption is unlikely to be eliminated altogether. Vigilance provides formulating such watchdogs that prevents entering this greed in major areas of governance and reduce its scope. The more the punitive measures, the more will be the pessimism in the organization, the lesser  will be the decision making. 

Here I am not saying we should do away with punitive vigilance. But whatever punitive measures we adopt,  there will always be people who will indulge in unethical practices to enjoy personal gains at the cost of organization. No doubt, they infect others and also tarnish the image and goodwill of the organization.Swami Chinmayananda says, "The sin is not in action, but in reaction". If the management fails to react to the wrong action of one employee, others tend to adopt the wrong  path. If punishment has to be given, it should be exemplary in nature. It is better to have active intolerance than to have passive tolerance to wrong doing. 

Every organization has to remain alert against external threats as well as internal mismanagement. As on external level, organization, especially a bank, has to be vigilant against fraudsters, middlemen and cheats. 

But to remain vigilant internally, is more important and very difficult  because here we deal with our own people. Arthashastra guides us to tackle this problem:- 

“Management must constantly hold inspection of its people, men being inconsistent in their minds”.

 Human mind is very fickle. In Bhagwat Gita, Arjun says, "It is very difficult to control mind than to control wind". There is every possibility that an employee gets influenced by corruption if the fear of being watched  is not strong enough.

 Parents keep watch over their young children to avoid any untoward incident or accident. At the organizational level, strict watch must be kept on activities of the personnel  that ethical practices are adopted ensuring integrity and honesty in the official transactions. 

The condition upon which God has given liberty to men is Vigilance. If we remain vigilant as to what we think and we do in our personal and professional life that we can usher in happy, peaceful,  harmonious, ethical and transparent living for us and for society.

(Prize winning speech on debate competition on the subject)

(The views expressed in the article are merely for academic purpose and are not subscribed by the organisation where the author is working)

 Tilak Gulati,  Assistant General Manager, UCO Bank. 

Author: www.itstrgulati.blogspot.in