Competency needs to political leaders
Competency needs to be one of the central pillars of political discourse
योग्यता को राजनीतिक विमर्श के केंद्रीय स्तंभों में से एक होना चाहिए .....
Work of MLA , MP and local gov
How many leaders
795 MPs, approximately 4,123 Members of the Legislative Assemblies and and 31.8 lakh elected representatives in the local government.
What did they do ?
they formulate policies and ensure their implementation at the levels of the central and State government, raise the issues of the people in Parliament, Assembly, and Councils, and work on issues of importance as part of committees.
कितने पढ़े लिखे ?
At least 75% of Lok Sabha members and nearly 64% of MLAs are graduates. And considering their central role in policy-making and delivering public services
ask a key question:
what makes an elected representative competent?
१ While educational qualifications provide -
- critical skills,
- behavioural qualities,
- functional qualities,
- and domain- /' विषय based competencies.
The competencies that are needed
Behavioural skills
they are at the heart of political competency, enabling politicians to engage effectively with various stakeholders.
Representatives must excel in
- communication,
- verbal and writing,
- and public engagement.
Effective leadership and negotiation skills
are vital in uniting diverse teams behind a shared vision and managing different stakeholders.
For example, the success of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was influenced by the involvement of women panchayati raj leaders, who promoted behavioural change at the grassroots.
Second, functional competencies
१ लीडर must deeply understand the rules and processes underpinning / मजबूती legislation and policy implementation.
२ This includes understanding - such as
- asking questions,
- initiating discussions,
- raising important policy matters,
- monitoring and evaluating policy implementation,
- providing suggestions,
- and ensuring efficient allocation of Union and State Budgets.
- Representatives must also be competent in translating citizen grievances and communicating those policy gaps to decision-makers.
३ unregulated advertising and promotion of tobacco -
In 2022, a Member of Parliament raised a matter in Zero Hour about unregulated advertising and promotion of tobacco use on OTT platforms, which prompted / प्रेरित the Ministry of Health to mandate anti-tobacco warnings on such content.
४ Bill introduced in 2014 advocating for transgender rights
led to the formation of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. So, legislative advocacy can influence policy changes.
Domain-based competencies
1 they are crucial to meet the specific needs of their constituencies and manage their unique portfolios effectively.
2 For example, a deep understanding of health-care policy would encompass public health management, health-care laws, insurance systems, and global health trends.
3 Insights into infrastructure and urban planning
are also fundamental, where understanding effective urban planning, transportation systems, public works, and sustainable infrastructure development are critical.
4 awareness of the latest technological advancements and their implications
on public services and economic growth are essential, ensuring that policy decisions are forward-thinking and inclusive of technological progress.
5 recent examples
Further, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, the National Health Policy, the Mental Healthcare Act, and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Rules are recent examples of individuals shaping policies through domain expertise and commitment.
6 be careful about the competency trap
where an excessive focus on specific skills might suppress the innovation and creativity needed to solve complex problems.
Instead, we should foster an environment that promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills alongside technical expertise.
Promoting collaboration between representatives
with diverse backgrounds and expertise will ensure a multi-disciplinary approach to tackling complex challenges.
Imagine a team with expertise in rural development, economics, engineering, public health, and social justice working to design and implement better policies.
Institutionalising the vision
align these competencies with their specific roles
incorporating the Karmayogi Competency Model from Mission Karmayogi.
This process involves identifying existing skill gaps and evolving training needs through consultation with elected officials, citizens, and domain experts.
What more needed
orientation and induction programmes, online resources, workshops, peer learning opportunities, and mentorship programmes. Regular impact assessments, conducted annually, are essential.
we can leverage existing resources
from central and State training institutions such as
- Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies,
- National and State Institutes of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj,
- as well as the Integrated Government Online Training platform and
- civil society organisations such as PRS Legislative Research, Participatory Research in Asia, Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini.
It is also essential to ensure that every elected representative from the local level onwards has access to necessary information and research support through dedicated research wings.
shift in public perception
Ultimately, the success of competency-based politics also relies on a shift in public perception.
Citizens need to demand more from their elected representatives, holding them accountable
We are reminded that the measure of a politician’s success is not just in the victories they achieve but in the vision they embody, the integrity they uphold, and the impact they have on society.
surce the hindu
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