7.2. Weaknesses

a. Undue emphasis on routine functions: The Ministries are burdened by the large volumes of routine work and are thus unable to focus on policy analysis and policy making. This leads to national priorities not receiving due attention. There is an excessive tendency of centralization even in case of routine jobs, which can easily be outsourced or delegated to other levels of Government.

b. Proliferation of Ministries/Departments: weak integration and coordination: The creation of a large number of Ministries and Departments sometimes due to the compulsion of coalition politics has led to illogical division of work and lack of an integrated approach and silo mentality even on closely related subjects.

c. An extended hierarchy with too many levels: Government of India has an extended vertical structure which leads to examination of issues at many levels frequently causing delays in decision making on the one hand and lack of accountability on the other.

d. Risk avoidance: A fall-out of a multi-layered structure has been the tendency towards reverse delegation and avoidance of risk in decision making. This structure puts an

increased emphasis on consultations through movement of files as a substitute for taking decisions. This leads to multiplication of work, delays and inefficiency.

e. Absence of team work: The present rigid hierarchal structure effectively rules out team work so necessary in the present context where an inter-disciplinary approach often is the need of the hour to respond effectively to emerging challenges.

f. Fragmentation of functions: At the operational level also, there has been a general trend to divide and subdivide functions making delivery of services inefficient and time-consuming.

g. Except in the case of a few committees and boards, there has been considerable weakening of the autonomy conceived at the time of their formation.