Coordination

6.1 Concept and Importance

Coordination is the process of integrating the activities of different units, departments, and individuals so that their efforts converge on the common organisational goal without wasteful duplication or conflict. James D. Mooney and Alan Reiley (1931) called coordination the first principle of organisation — it is what makes a collection of individuals into an organisation.

In government, coordination is particularly challenging because:

• Multiple ministries have overlapping mandates (Environment, Agriculture, Water share responsibility for irrigation)
• Different levels of government (centre, state, district, local) must work together
• Political and bureaucratic interests may diverge
• Professional specialisations (IAS, IPS, IRS, technical services) have different cultures

6.2 Mary Parker Follett's Principles of Coordination

Mary Parker Follett (1933) identified four principles:

Principle	Explanation
Early coordination	Coordinate at the planning stage, not after execution has begun
Direct coordination	Coordination should involve direct contact between concerned parties, not through intermediaries
Continuing coordination	Coordination must be an ongoing process, not a one-time event
Coordination as reciprocal relating	Every party in coordination influences and is influenced by others — circular, not one-directional

6.3 Methods of Coordination in Government

Method	Description	India Example
Hierarchical authority	Orders from the top coordinate lower levels	Cabinet Secretary coordinates secretaries
Committees	Inter-departmental committees resolve overlaps	Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
Rules and procedures	Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) prevent duplication	Revenue code, procurement rules
Planning	Plans set common goals and allocate resources	NITI Aayog's Five-Year Vision Documents
Common services	Shared services (transport, IT, procurement)	Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
Liaison officers	Officers posted in other ministries/departments	Rajasthan's Resident Commissioner in Delhi

6.4 Coordination Mechanisms in Rajasthan

• Rajasthan Integrated Clean Energy Policy (RICEP): Coordinated across Energy, Forest, Finance, and Revenue departments
• SLBC (State Level Bankers Committee): Coordinates banks, NABARD, and state government for rural credit
• State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA): Coordinates police, revenue, health, and NGOs in disasters
• District Collector as coordinator: The collector is the primary coordination authority at district level — convenes District Development Coordination Committee (DISHA Committee under MP/MLA chairs)

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