In a democratic system, criticism makes the state to run efficiently. Criticism just for the sake of criticism is of no use; however, giving alternatives is necessary for the smooth functioning of the state. Different parties may come to power and go, but the policies, acts and rules they devise continue to benefit or affect the citizens.
Most parts of the world are under lockdown due to pandemic. This situation is not new in human history. Human generations faced it, came out of it and developed their nations in a better way. Post lockdown, there may be crisis in every sector, farming, textile, technology, medical, etc. The looming crisis is going to occur and it is expected to leave huge impact on common citizens. Governments should plan accordingly and private stakeholders should contribute their parts.
Before discussing crisis management solutions, let’s have a look at “Crisis”
What is Crisis? It’s hardship or severe danger or pitiful state or dominant disorder.
How Crisis occurs? Because of carelessness of the state and its stakeholders towards the early warnings, not utilising resources in handling the crisis in early stages and not setting the priorities before it expands and harms at a larger scale.
Crisis Management: It’s an ability to protect individuals or an organisation or a state from the troublesome time coming nigh. To handle a crisis, one must be free from whims and desires which humankind usually suffers from. Also one should guarantee credibility, impartiality and transparency during the handling of crisis.
Handling Crisis: If individuals or communities or a state fail to handle a crisis in a proper way, this failure may result in catastrophes and calamities. With respect to COVID-19, it can be said that with no concrete plan to handle the crisis, danger of the virus raising its head again looms large. And, God forbid, that may prove the severer.
Solutions:
- Share resources rather than being protectionist: A simple narration from the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ will help us understand crisis management in a lucid way. The example of a person abiding by God’s commandments and restrictions in comparison to those who violate them is like the example of those persons who drew lots for their seats in a boat. Some of them got seats in the upper part and the others in the lower. When the latter needed water, they had to go up to bring water (and that troubled the others), so they said, “Let us make a hole in our share of the ship (and get water) saving those who are above us from getting troubled. So, if the people in the upper part left the others do what they had suggested, all the people of the ship would be destroyed, but if they prevented them, both parties would be safe.” Helping neighbours, daily wage earners, private employees, etc. to be supported in this hour of crisis due to lockdown is the need of the hour.
- Reforms in Crisis with Limited Tools: Prophet Yusuf introduced a reformist policy based on a long term plan to confront a crisis in Egypt long ago. The planned programme was to effect a balance between four economic operations: Production, Consumption, Saving and then Re-investing (part of the saving). He defined the objectives of each economic process; along with determined policies, means, procedures and plan schedule (for execution), without neglecting the ethical angle.
The Philosophy behind Prophet Yusuf’s solution to President of Egypt was, “You will cultivate land for seven consecutive years as usual. During this period thrash out the harvest you reap only that much grain that might suffice for your food and leave the rest in the ears. Then, after this, there shall come upon you seven hard years. Then you will eat up all that corn you might have kept for that period except that you will have reserved in the store.” (Al-Quran)
- Protection of Agriculture Sector: Food is the basic need of every individual and it’s the backbone of economy in many states. Apart from larger cultivation and farming, due to lockdown people need to start the home based farming at low level, either it may be vegetables, fruit, grains, etc. Many people may have fertile land especially in villages; it can be used for cultivations which will not only fulfil the short term goals but also prove a contribution to economy. Sonia Gandhi suggested to Prime Minister of India, “The 21-day lockdown comes at the peak of the harvesting season. The agricultural crop is ready for harvesting in most states by the end of March. With nearly 60% of India’s population being economically dependent on agriculture, it is imperative that the Union Government should take necessary steps to enable harvesting and procurement of crops at MSP. This is also the right time to suspend all recoveries from farmers for a period of six months and to consider indebtedness relief liberally.”
- Supporting Small Scale Industries: Small businesses will also face a significant economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The government should ensure that the impact is cushioned with steps such as providing more favourable terms of loans to SMEs by SIDBI. Large firms could also find a way to channel funds to small suppliers by raising money in bond markets and passing it on – Raghuram Rajan (Former, RBI Governor). Interest free loans to farmers, small vendors, businessmen and industrialists will be big relief to get stable in less time period post pandemic with all possible bonds, like on profit-and-loss basis, shareholders, etc.
- Proper utilisation of available resources: The need of hour is austerity measures to divert the funds to fight against COVID-19, in which (a) Funds allocated for various events, travel expenses (within state, country and foreign trips) of Ministers and Government officials of both states and centre during the lockdown period to be diverted. (b) Funds being utilised for promotion of central and state government schemes on roadside hoardings should be stopped with immediate effect as people are not on roads. (c) Impose a complete ban on media advertisements (electronic, print and social media) by State and Central Governments and PSUs for a period of at least two years. (d) Funds for conduction of examinations can be diverted to authorised private schools for administrative expenses which in return should reduce at least 30% fees for next academic year.
- Adopt a Village: If every MLA/MLC, MP (both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha), Industrialist/ Businessman, Celebrity (Film and Sports) and NGO adopts a village for at least three years, minimum 15,000 villages/localities across the nation can be developed and it can be a great example to the rest of the world.
Similarly, various departments can take measures to handle the crisis in all possible ways, no doubt health sector is priority and shouldn’t be left out; every possible support and requirements must be provided. Let’s come forward to support each other at this hour of crisis, to provide peaceful, hatred-free system of justice for upcoming generations.