“Red-Tape
is the root cause for all the evils generated by the
government. It is this baneful system that is responsible
for making the government, wooden—unsympathetic to the
wishes of the toiling masses. If the welfare of the
people is to be assured, we should boldly put an end
to this Red-Tape."
Those who are now at the helm of affairs used to thunder
forth thus against the Red-Tape when they were out hunting
after power!
They gave a definite assurance to the people, that once
they were installed, they would do away with this system
of Red-Tape.
Anyone who attempted to explain the purpose behind the
system of Red-Tape, was hauled up before the public
for derision and condemnation. Such men were dubbed
as stooges of British Imperialism.
And so, when the Congress was installed, the people
naturally thought that they had but to intimate their
wish, communicate their thought, and the government
would formulate schemes, offer redress, come forward
with plans! For, under the Congress regime, there could
not be this Red-Tape!
And the Congress ministers too, began with some earnestness
to usher in a new way. But practical difficulties arose—and
is such a dimension!!
The Congress leaders found to their dismay that they
did not possess strength enough to put an end to this
Red-Tape. It was so inextricably wound up with the system
of administration, handed over to them. They were unable
to formulate a new scheme altogether.
But they would not confess! So they began to hoodwink
the public. They went on assuring the people, that they
were intent upon putting down the Red-Tape, very soon.
And it was left to Mr. Kamaraj, to present the greatest
show in this line. He told the people and the press,
that he would go to the grass roots! No more ivory tower!
We would go and meet the people—at their own place!—So
saying, Hon’ble Mr. Kamaraj, inaugurated, what was hailed
at that time as a new path altogether—we refer to the
‘Pagalmedu path.’
The Chief Minister along with senior officials of all
departments, went to a small village called Pagalmedu.
There was no fan-fare! No officialdom! The officials
sat cross-legged-along with the Chief. The villagers,
were asked to come and place their grievances! And amazed,
the tillers and toilers, came to tell tales of woe and
want, before the Chief. Mr. Kamaraj gave a sympathetic
hearing and passed the necessary ‘orders’ then and there!
The villagers were struck with wonder! The officials,
perhaps, were bewildered! The press was jubilant! The
public applauded their novel way!
But there were one or two, who were not enamoured of
this.
We wrote, about this in a rather outspoken way and there
were some who dubbed us as cynic. Those who applauded
the ‘Pagalmedu path’ were naturally irritated when we
wrote that this Pagalmadu is but a passing show!
How true, our observation has been, is now proved beyond
doubt. For, there have been no other ‘Pagalmedus!’ The
show is over!!
When on the floor of the Assembly, the leader of the
D.M.K., demanded an explanation about this, the Leader
of the House who had enough time to wobble about fancies,
and fantasies, kept discretely silent about this.
“What has become of your ‘Pagalmedu?’ Have you given
up that path?”—was the query but there was no answer.
Almost all the dailies and weekly journals wrote with
warmth about this ‘Pagalmedu!’ Possibly they thought
that Mr. Kamaraj would be undertaking a series of tours
of that sort, distributing orders on the spot, and thus
cut away Red-Tape. The journals wrote, that the astute
Chief Minister has found out the best way for doing
away this Red-Tape— ‘Pagalmedu’ is the way!
Sycophants began to pour encomiums on the energetic
Chief Minister. “Whoever had the intelligence enough
to formulate a scheme such as this ‘Pagalmedu?’ There
are Cantabs and Oxonians, Bar-at-laws and criminal lawyers,
Doctors in Medicine and in Philosophy! But of what avail!
None had the fertility of imagination to devise a ‘Pagalmedu!’
It was left to our Chief Minister, endowed as he is
with a robust common-sense, to evolve a new scheme—and
we have this ‘Pagalmedu.’ ” Sycophants spoke in this
strain.
But, now, they are, all of them, busy attempting to
drive away the traces of remembrance about this Pagalmedu.
And, when a categorical explanation was demanded there
came no reply!
But the D.M.K., refused to allow the Congress to escape
through calculated silence. The issue was raised again.
An explanation was again called for. And, exasperated
perhaps, the Leader of the House, has come forward with
an explanation—and it is in the form of a defence of
the system of Red-Tape!!
“Vive La Red-Tape!” seems to be the new lyric!! —and
the Versatile Vocalist the Leader of the House, has
given a melodious explanation about the method of Red-Tape.
Red-Tape has a purpose behind it—it is formulated for
ensuring safety and stability and the government does
not propose to do away with this useful system of Red-Tap—such
seems to be the sermon on the floor.
The Congress leaders are not a bit pained at such situations.
They have become adepts in the art of eating the humble
pie! And they seem to enjoy the eating! Let them grow
fat on such stuff!
We are glad that the 'fancy' weaved around the Pagalmedu
scheme, has been torn to pieces. The people are now
able to see for themselves that after all, we were right
when we wrote that Pagalmedu was but a Passing Show.
(Editorial
- 06-04-1958)