Role of the Punjab State Administration during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perception of Government Officials

Description

Page: 587-595

Malwinder Singh (Department of Public Administration, RNT Govt. Degree College Sarkaghat, Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh)

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the politico-administrative systems of countries worldwide. The administrative system of the countries made efforts to tackle the pandemic and protect the citizens. The administrative systems are manned by government officials who play a crucial role in public policy. Top-level bureaucrats provide critical analysis and expert insights that help shape government policies. The government officials also enforce the public policy while enjoying some degree of discretion. Moreover, they evaluate the public policy for course correction. Officials, especially those who directly interact with the public, significantly influence how policies are perceived and executed. This research paper explores how government officials perceived the role of the Punjab State Administration in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. The empirical data is collected through interviews with 70 officials across three districts of Punjab: Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and S.A.S. Nagar. The paper aims to provide key insights for policy-makers that could help the administration tackle future health emergencies.