State of Insecurity

(Source: The Indian Express, Editorial Page)

Also Read: The Indian Express Editorial Analysis: 18 July 2025
Also Read: The Hindu Editorial Analysis: 18 July 2025

Topic: GS2 (Governance, Polity & Social Justice)

Context

Bihar, long known for political volatility, had seen a period of promising governance and development after the mid-2000s. Improvements in road infrastructure, law and order, and social welfare gave hope for sustained progress. However, recent setbacks—amid election-year pressures—have once again put governance under strain. The editorial titled “State of Insecurity” from The Indian Express throws much-needed light on this regression.

Governance Regression

During an election year, the focus often shifts from governance to political survival. In Bihar:

• Law and Order has deteriorated: High-profile incidents, rising crime, and weakened police action have resurfaced.

• Administrative inertia is visible: Public services that once showed signs of reform are now stagnating.

Political Compulsions

• Short-Termism dominates: Populist schemes and quick fixes are prioritized over long-term reforms.

• Coalition dynamics demand compromises in administrative decisions, often leading to inconsistency.

Developmental Stagnation

• There’s been a slowdown in sectors like health and education, once the pride of Bihar’s governance turnaround.

• Public perception now leans toward administrative inefficacy, which also affects investment and private sector confidence.

Comparative Analysis Table

Here’s a table comparing Bihar’s earlier governance progress and the current challenges:

Aspect	Progress (2005–2015)	Current Challenges (2024–25)
Law and Order	Improved policing, significant crime reduction	Surge in political violence, ineffective law enforcement
Administrative Efficiency	Better service delivery, reduced delays	Rising bureaucracy inefficiency; services deteriorating
Development Focus	Focus on rural roads, healthcare, education	Decline in welfare spending, program dilution
Leadership and Vision	Strong leadership, reform-oriented decision-making	Populist tendencies, policy drift due to election focus
Public Confidence	Renewed trust in state institutions	Growing disillusionment among citizens

Way Forward

• Prioritize Governance Over Politics: Reforms in police, education, healthcare must continue irrespective of electoral cycles.

• Strengthen Institutions: Independent and merit-based institutions ensure governance continuity.

• Create a Long-Term Vision: Policy decisions should align with 5–10-year development goals rather than one-year electoral strategies.

• Ensure Accountability: Effective use of RTI, Lokayuktas, and performance audits can curb administrative apathy.

Ethical & Governance Takeaways for UPSC

• Ethical Governance (GS4): Politicians and bureaucrats must uphold public service values, especially during elections.

• Challenges to Federalism: Political instability at the state level can affect Centre-State cooperation in schemes and reforms.

• Developmental Ethics: Election-oriented politics can compromise the ethical pursuit of equitable and inclusive development.

Practice Question: (GS-2 | 15 Marks | 250 Words) Recent governance setbacks in Bihar highlight the risks of prioritizing electoral politics over administrative reforms. Discuss the challenges of maintaining governance continuity in Indian states during election years. Suggest measures to ensure policy stability and sustained development.