Migrant crisis may help plan viable roadmap

The Tribune     21st May 2020     Save    

Context: A major overhaul in the working of government is required to handle current migrant crisis and future rise as a super power.

Problems due to COVID:

  • Migrant’s Misery: Right to shelter, food and movement are restricted for them. Loss of lives and income are biggest hurdles.
  • Psychological Demand: Even after announcement of packages, provision of rations etc by the government, migrants are still walking towards home.

Steps recommended:

  • Avoid sudden announcements: In order to avoid panic and ensure preparedness.
  • Draw up Contingency Plans: Not only just for health, but for other areas like defence, cyber warfare etc.
  • Plan in Action: Through Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and pre-rehearsals.
  • Balancing Movement with Comfort: to check the spread and empathy towards the migrants.
  • Health and Education Investment: So that migrants irrational behaviour and healthcare systems could have been improved.
  • Taming Bureaucracy: Through performance based promotions and making it more nimble footed.
  • More Technocrats: Heading the senior positions and coherent wages with top civil service would increase efficiency and reduce response time. For eg. we have a Doctor as Health Minister.
  • Avoid Politicking: Political parties need to be more sensitive about needs of the country. Tools to criticise should be decent.