How is a Major Policy Decision Taken?

A Government Order

On August 13, 1990, the Indian government issued an Office Memorandum (O. M. No. 36012/31/90-Est (SCT)), stating that 27% of civil posts and services are reserved for the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC). This decision became a source of controversy and was a major policy decision, as it introduced a new category of SEBC, excluding other backward castes and tribes from the quota of 27% jobs.

The Decision Makers

The Office Memorandum issued by the Department of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions in India was a result of a long chain of events. The Second Backward Classes Commission, headed by B.P. Mandal, was appointed in 1979 to identify socially and educationally backward classes in India and recommend steps for their advancement. The Commission’s report in 1980 recommended that 27% of government jobs be reserved for the socially and educationally backward classes. The Janata Dal, formed after the 1989 Lok Sabha election, promised to implement the recommendations of the Mandal Commission. The decision was sent to the Department of Personnel and Training, who drafted an order in line with the Cabinet decision and took the minister’s approval. An officer signed the order on behalf of the Union Government.

The decision was a contentious issue, leading to widespread protests and counterprotests. The Supreme Court of India, in the ‘Indira Sawhney and others Vs Union of India case’, ruled that the order was valid and asked the government to modify its original order, excluding well-todo persons from the benefit of reservation. The Department issued another Office Memorandum in September 1993, ending the dispute and ensuring that the policy has been followed since then.

Need for Political Institutions

The government’s role in a country involves various activities such as ensuring security, providing education and health facilities, collecting taxes, and implementing welfare schemes. Institutions, such as the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Civil Servants, and Supreme Court, are responsible for these tasks. The Constitution outlines basic rules for each institution, and dealing with them can be frustrating due to rules, regulations, and meetings. However, these institutions also provide opportunities for a wider set of people to be consulted in decisions, making it difficult to make good decisions quickly and preventing rushing through bad ones. Therefore, democratic governments insist on institutions to ensure the smooth functioning of the government.

NCERT Class 9 Civics Chapter 4: Working of Institutions is an important chapter in the Social Science curriculum. It focuses on understanding the functioning of institutions in a democracy. The chapter discusses the concept of democracy and how it is not just about people electing their rulers. In a democracy, the rulers have to follow some rules and procedures. They have to work with and within institutions. This chapter is about the working of such institutions in a democracy.