THE GUJARAT MODEL What it is, Whether it can be Replicated, and How ? Amal Dhru- Ahmedabad. [email protected]

THE GUJARAT MODEL What it is, Whether it can be Replicated, and How ?

Amal Dhru- Ahmedabad. [email protected]

What is Gujarat Model ?

The Curiosity: Many are trying to understand the characteristics of the Gujarat Model. The

attempts made to deconstruct the Model are as many and as fragmented as those made to prove the UFOs

Practice and Implementation (Theory follows practice !!) Unlike other models of governance, where the practices are put into place

based on the theories, the reverse is the case with the Gujarat Model, where the concept and its practices need to be analysed in detail so as to form a theory based on it.

In a way, it is more of an Implementation Strategy An inclusive, participative and target based execution oriented approach

Attitude: The Model is, in a way, an approach – and paradigm shift in attitude; to bring

participative implimentation of Developmental schemes Sound common sense, innovation & genuine desire to help common man are

important pillars, where the preference is towards long term gains An attempt that has proved that good economics is good politics as well


How it Began? Pre-2000:

Although Gujarat has always been an entrepreneurial state, a depressed & fatalist state of mind prevailed till 2000 in the state, just like rest of India.

Ambition, confidence & faith in action had to be established for growth and progress

Boosting the Morale: Huge, attractive functions on regular basis, such as the Vibrant Gujarat

festival which promoted the State as an “Investment Destination”, helped a lot in boosting the morale

Change in power structures: A decision to keep ministries small and not giving positions to party

workers in boards of PSU gave a professional and ‘No Nonsense’ touch to governance within the administration

Professionalisation of governance has been a focus. For example: Entire ministry attended a seminar at IIMA


The Process

The Bottlenecks: Gujarat has had clear handicaps by way of :

Water shortage, Huge barren land, lack of proficiency in English and IT skills amongst youth No surpluses for large projects with the Government

The Assets: Entrepreneurial population Large Sea Coast

Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Exploiting Sea Coast for Ports and Developing Infrastructure

were taken up to provide a fillip for employment and industrial development

So Private Sector investments were attracted. Vibrant Gujarat.


The Social Aspect

Clear Indication towards Pure Equality: All Along the thrust was for betterment of 5 Crore Gujaratis

Culture and Economics: Tourism was given Top Priority as an industry. Exampke: celebration of events

such as Patangotsav, Vibrant Navratri which attracted thousands of tourists Besides Tourism related income, it provided fillip to the Handicraft sector

Publicity: All Schemes were taken up at massive scale of publicity and made participative

Participation from the Administration in Implementation: Senior officials and ministers virtually driven to village visits regularly for

scheme promotion Meticulous implementation of schemes such as Jyotirgram, Vanche Gujarat,

Khel Mahakumbh, Nirmal Gujarat, Krishi Melas,Krishi Rath, and the like Agriculture was given top attention through drip irrigation , steady power, soil

card, krishi rath


The Major Factors

Strict and clearly defined administrative controls No interference by politicians in administration Policy and rule based recruitments and transfers Policy-driven decision-making Constant thrust on Honesty: “Na Khao and na Khane

Do” virtually became popular one-liner within the State and the Administration

Constant involvement and inclusion of the masses in execution of programs, by reaching out to people


Human Factor

Skill development was promoted through setting up and efficient running of technical Institutes all over the state

Setting up of Institutes and Universities in various fields such as handicraft, Law, Petroleum, Civil Defense, Engineering ,Technical Skill Development, Ayurveda, Medicine and the like

Keeping the momentum of rapid and inclusive development for the population at high levels was a clear plan


INNOVATION

Innovative style of Ensuring Implementation: For example: the Style of Implementating the Jyotirgram

Yojna, Power Sector reforms, Drip Irrigation , Soil Quality Cards, Ladies toilets in schools, Brand Ambassador for Tourism etc illustrate innovations within public administration.

Reducing the need for subsidy, not just reducing the subsidy, is an innovative approach as well. “I give seedi (a ladder.. not a subsidy” is the catchy Slogan

Boosting up of the National Spirit: 15th August and 26th January celebration were organised at

district levels on rotation basis to boost up national spirit is a highly laudable innovative approach


Critical Areas

Keeping the tempo high has a risk of raising expectation This needs a large level of confidence and commitment Areas where improvement is required:

Better standards of Education, Improvement in the sex ratio, Malnutrition Reforms within the health sector… to name a few.

Overall, 10 years is not a long enough period to attain all. Work is being done in these sectors as well but results will take time .


Replicability pan India Approach:

In a nutshell, the Gujarat Model is a basic, all round approach. The style of governance adopted in this model is well known to many.

It is a Model for implementation, and not so much a Planning Model From ideologies to ideas and innovation From Positions to Performance: Minimum Government to Maximum

Governance. Governance based on Accountability, Responsibility and Reach -out approach.

Capitalising on the Strengths: Each state in India has different Strengths and Opportunities. A unique

approach at state level will have to be developed to pick up the strength and build on and around it to achieve overall economic growth

Each State should have a unique and well-publicized growth target “Think of performing greater tasks be the motto rather than

occupying greater positions” is a sentence, popularized by Narendra Modi says a lot on the style of governance.


THANK YOU

Amal Dhru [email protected] www.financefundas.com 9825015534


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THE GUJARAT MODEL What it is, Whether it can be Replicated, and How ? Amal Dhru- Ahmedabad. [email protected]