Mission Karmayogi: For civil servants who are better prepared and citizen-oriented

Relevance: GS Paper II

Why in News? 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Mission Karmayogi to transform India's civil services into citizen-centric, future-ready professionals.

More About the News: 

• The Indian Institute of Public Administration evaluated the effectiveness of the training by gathering feedback from supervisors of recently trained staff, noting a noticeable improvement in their proficiency in data analytics and e-governance tools.

Why the Mission was Launched: 

• India has set its sights on achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047, aspiring to become a manufacturing powerhouse in the global supply chain, a key exporter of value-added services, and a major supplier of skilled labor to an ageing developed world. However, the method for achieving these ambitions has raised concerns. 
• Recognizing the need for improved governance and competent civil services to fulfill India's aspirations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated Mission Karmayogi, the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building. 
• This program aims to transform the nation's three million civil servants into citizen-centric, future-ready professionals. 
• To support this initiative, the Capacity Building Commission (CBC) was established in 2021 to provide policy guidance and tools for enhancing the capabilities of all levels of India’s vast civil services. Three years into the program, the question arises: Are our civil services better equipped to support India's ambition of a $30 trillion economy by 2047?

Assessment of Mission Karmayogi: 

Infrastructure Development:

• PM Gati Shakti

• Integration and Coordination: The PM Gati Shakti platform has revolutionized the planning and execution of mega infrastructure projects by integrating various legal and geographic layers. This has facilitated a "whole of government" approach, enabling ministries to work in a coordinated manner. 
• Training and Skill Development: Over 24,000 officials from diverse departments have completed training on PM Gati Shakti, enhancing their ability to utilize emerging technologies and GIS for project planning.
• Impact on Infrastructure Projects: The notable increase in the construction of new rail lines and the preparation of highway projects under Bharatmala-2 are testament to the effectiveness of the platform. Additionally, the avoidance of sensitive wildlife habitats in new rail and highway alignments showcases the platform's commitment to sustainable and environmentally conscious infrastructure development.

Citizen-Centric Governance

• Improving Public Security by Police Training: Over 50,000 police personnel have undergone training to promote "sewa bhaav," resulting in significant improvements in citizen satisfaction and a greater sense of security, particularly in regions like Kashmir.
• Soft Skills Development: Police personnel have been trained to handle common citizen flashpoints more effectively, leading to accolades for their performance during high-profile events like the G-20 summit.

Railways: 

• Customer Service Enhancement in Railway Services: The collaboration between the Capacity Building Commission (CBC), Railway Board, and the Indian Railways Institute of Rail Transport Management (IRITM) in training railway personnel is another commendable initiative aimed at improving customer service and grievance resolution within the Indian Railways network.
• Frontline Staff: By focusing on frontline staff such as station masters, travelling ticket examiners, and reservation clerks, the training program seeks to empower employees to proactively address passenger and freight customer grievances. The use of third-party independent assessments to measure citizen satisfaction before and after the training provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of the program.
• Customer Satisfaction: The significant increase in citizen satisfaction on service provision and solution response in railway divisions such as Mumbai, Asansol, Bengaluru, and Lucknow underscores the positive impact of the training initiative. By equipping railway personnel with the necessary skills and tools to address customer concerns, the program contributes to a more pleasant and efficient travel experience for passengers.

Enhanced Service Delivery

• Training for Improved Citizen Services of Gramin Dak Sevaks and CSCs: The training of Gramin Dak Sevaks and village-level Citizen Service Centres (CSCs) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) reflects a broader commitment to enhancing citizen service delivery across different sectors. 
• Taxpayer Grievance Redressal by Tax System Improvements: The partnership between the CBC and the Central Board of Direct Taxes to address taxpayer grievances through systemic solutions is a crucial step towards building a more taxpayer-friendly and transparent tax system. An online module curated with the Central Board of Direct Taxes has trained over 14,000 personnel, aimed at resolving taxpayer grievances more effectively demonstrates a readiness to adapt to innovative approaches in addressing taxpayer concerns and improving overall tax administration.

Other Areas:

• Pilot Projects in Municipal Corporations of Capacity Building: The acknowledgment of the crucial role played by state governments and municipal corporations in India's development goals is significant, as they are responsible for delivering essential services and infrastructure to citizens. 
• The Capacity Building Commission (CBC) has taken proactive steps to enhance the capacity of municipal corporations in cities like Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Nagpur, Pune, Bhubaneswar, and Mysuru.
• By leveraging platforms like iGOT Karmayogi Bharat, municipal corporation staff members are undergoing training in various areas such as municipal finance, road engineering, and solid waste management. 
• This initiative not only improves the skills of personnel but also contributes to better service delivery and infrastructure management at the local level.
• Internal Capacity Building and Lifelong Learning by Wide Adoption of iGOT Karmayogi Bharat Portal: The emphasis on lifelong learning within the civil services, as evidenced by the completion of online learning modules by section officers and administration assistants, reflects a broader cultural shift towards continuous improvement and skill development.
• Assessment of Impact: The impact assessment conducted by the Indian Institute of Public Administration, which reported increased proficiency in data analytics and e-governance tools among recently trained staff, underscores the effectiveness of such capacity-building initiatives.

Conclusion: 

Mission Karmayogi, through the efforts of the Capacity Building Commission (CBC) and the Karmayogi Bharat initiative, has made substantial progress in enhancing the capacity of Indian civil services. The visible impacts on infrastructure development, citizen-centric governance, and improved service delivery are significant milestones. However, for sustained and comprehensive success, continuous implementation of annual capacity-building plans across all government departments and agencies is essential. The ongoing commitment to lifelong learning and skill enhancement will be crucial for India to achieve its ambitious economic and developmental goals by 2047.