Q. Wisdom lies in knowing what to reckon with and what to overlook. An officer being engrossed with the periphery, ignoring the core issues before him, is no rare in the bureaucracy. Do you agree that such preoccupation of an administrator leads to travesty of justice to the cause of effective service delivery and good governance? Critically evaluate.

Model Answer: 

Bureaucratic Focus: Core Issues vs. Periphery in Governance

Wisdom in administration lies in discerning crucial issues from trivial matters. Unfortunately, bureaucrats often become engrossed in peripheral concerns, neglecting core problems that demand attention. This misplaced focus indeed leads to ineffective service delivery and undermines good governance.

When officials prioritize superficial issues over fundamental challenges:
• Resources are misallocated (e.g., excessive paperwork, unnecessary meetings)
• Decision-making is delayed, impeding progress on critical matters
• Public trust erodes as citizens perceive a lack of meaningful action

This preoccupation with peripherals stems from various factors:
• Lack of strategic thinking and prioritization skills
• Bureaucratic red tape that complicates simple processes
• External pressures from political or vested interests

The consequences of such misguided focus are severe:
• Essential services suffer (e.g., healthcare backlogs, infrastructure delays)
• Innovation and reform initiatives stagnate
• Systemic issues persist, compounding over time

To address this problem:
1. Implement regular training programs to enhance prioritization skills
2. Streamline administrative processes to reduce unnecessary complexities
3. Establish robust performance evaluation systems that reward focus on core issues
4. Encourage a culture of ethical decision-making and accountability

However, it’s crucial to maintain a balanced perspective. Some peripheral issues may have hidden importance or long-term implications. The key lies in developing the wisdom to distinguish between truly trivial matters and those that warrant attention.

Conclusion: Effective governance requires administrators to prioritize core issues, balancing strategic thinking with operational necessities to ensure impactful public service delivery.