RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT: In India, efforts have been initiated since independence to improve the governmental functioning. RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT
RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT
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In India, efforts have been initiated since independence to improve the governmental functioning. Even though several measures were taken in this direction in the pre-independence period, the then administrative system suited the British government’s needs of revenue and law and order administration. The post-independence scenario was more in favor of Welfare State making it responsive to the needs of people. The adoption of the Constitution, Fundamental Rights, the Directive Principles of State Policy, and planning as a means of achieving social and economic development have made the reorientation of the administrative machinery externally essential. The governance structure and system have undergone a major revamping from revenue collection and maintenance of law and order towards socio-economic development, social welfare and citizens’ satisfaction.
RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT
THE INDIAN CONTEXT : During 1950s and 1960s several Committees were set up which examined the organizational structure, and functional of the government of the Government of India as well as on the basis of their analyses, suggested suitable changes. These include Secretariat Reorganisation Committee (1947) ,Gopalaswamy Ayyangar Committee on Reorganisation of Government Machinery (1949) , Gorwala Committee(1951). In 1953 on the government of India’s request, Paul H. Appleby of Syracuse University, USA submitted two reports on reforms of Indian administration. In 1964, a separate Department of Administrative Reforms was set up in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT
The most comprehensive set of recommendations that of administrative efficiency were made by the Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) set up in January 1966. It examined the entire gamut of administration at the Centre as well as the states and submitted twenty major reports during its working of nearly four and a half years. Based on the recommendations of ARC a Department of Personnel was created in 1970, which was later transformed ( in 1985 ) into a full fledged ministry of personnel and training, administrative reforms public grievances pensions and pensioners’ welfare.
RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT
Several institution such as Central Vigilance Commission, Central Bureau of Investigation, Lok Pal and Lok Ayukta have also been created. These reform measures were basically attempted to look into the structural changes that were desired at that time to strengthen and streamline the administrative machinery. As we have taken place in social, economic and political spheres. Even in India it is being felt that the bureaucracy is inaccessible to common citizens, indifferent and is concerned more about adherence to procedures, rules and regulations. Hence a need was felt for administration to be more efficient, responsive and accountable; promoting good governance. It was perceived that governance structure had to extend beyond traditional bureaucracy and involved citizens, consumers groups, local bodies etc. governance was deliberated there and an Actions Plan was formulated to bring about accountable and citizen-friendly government. In accordance with this, several initiatives were taken by the Union and state governments. Let us highlights some of these measures;
RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT
CITIZENS’ CHARTERS: The concepts of citizens’ charters are formulated for all those public organizations providing different kinds of services to the people. These charters are statements that provide information to the general public about nature of services being provided by that organization, procedures, costs involved, mechanisms for lodging complaints in case the citizens are not satisfied, time taken for their redressed so on. Nearly 68 organizations at the central government level have formulated citizens’ charters. These are being introduced by state governments also. Next time you visit any government organization, including a hospital, municipal body, you can look at its Citizens’ Charter.
RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT
REDRESSAL OF CITIZENS’ GRIEVANCES: The machinery for getting redressal of any grievance that the citizen has against any government organization has been strengthened. A Directorate of Public Grievances has been set up in the Cabinet Secretariat in 1988 to examine complaints relating to various Ministries and Departments which have directed public dealings. Also, the organization keep a track of the complaints or grievances that the citizens have lodged. You can also notice certain counters set up by government organizations as Information and Facilitation Counters ( IFCs ) including “ May I Help You ” counters. These help the citizens get the necessary information to facilitate their work done.
RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT
USE OF CITIZENS’ GRIEVANCES: Good governance, gives importance to the use of Information Technology ( IT ) for efficient and effective service delivery. As you know, now train, airlines and bus reservation are computerized. At the village level also, computerization has facilitated the compilation of land records, registration of birth, deaths, and application for necessary documents from district headquarters thereby making tasks easier for the community. For example, in the state Madhya Pradesh, the Gyandoot Programme launched in Dhar district has been tremendous success, which won the Stockholm awards in 2000. Under this initially computers in32 villages have been set up in Gram Panchayats which provide user-charge based services to the people.
RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT
The service include agriculture produce at auction Centre rates, online public grievance redress, information regarding government programmes etc. Also one stop services are being offered to the people in some state governments where supply of ration card, registration of vehicles, payment of property tax, electricity bills, issue of land holding certificates etc., are done at one place. The government of Andhra Pradesh has started e-seva Centre, Maharashtra has set up Setu Project in Thane for this purpose. Bhoomi Project in the state of Karnataka has also gained prominence.
RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT
RIGHT TO INFORMATION: It has been increasingly felt that secrecy and lack of openness in government operations result in administration using powers arbitrarily in their dealings with people. Hence, efforts have been made in recent years to ensure and bring about greater transparency in administrative decisions to enable people to have an easy access to information except those relating to national defense and security. After several efforts, a “ Freedom of Information Bill ” was introduce in the parliament which aims to provide freedom to every citizen to secure access to information under the control of public authorities. This bill has been passed by the parliament in 2001 and several state governments including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka have passed the right to information Acts. At the central government level, the Right to Information Act was passed by the parliament on May 11, 2005.
RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT
PEOPLE’S PARTICIPATION AND DECENTRALISATION: The government is ensuring people’s participation in governance through the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments by which Constitutional status is conferred on rural and urban local bodies. These bodies are given necessary powers and authority to function as institutions of self-government. State Governments have passed necessary legislation to this effect by providing for the constitutional of these bodies, functions, conduct of elections, devolution of resources atc.
RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT
These are in brief, some of the key initiatives taken by Indian government in fostering responsive or good governance. Any reform measure has to be sustained in the long-run. Similarly, good governance can bring result by concentrating on certain key concerns that can ensure its longevity and success. Let us now throw light on these issues.
PROMOTING GOOD GOVERNANCE [RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT]
Governance has assumed a prominent place in the present changing scenario. It involves as well have discussed earlier, not just executive, legislature and the judiciary, but also the private sector and civil society organizations. The objective of good governance is to promote an affective framework which is Democratic, participative and responsive. Modern Government is striving towards not just achievement of economic objectives but is also attempting to bridge the gap between citizens and administration. Governance, to be effective, needs good Government.
RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT
Good governance has to pay attention to several key issues in political, economic and civil spheres. Political governance needs to be strengthened through ensuring appropriate decentralization measures, making elected representative responsive and accountable to citizens, strengthening their capacities through education awareness and training, regular, periodic and fair elections, impartial judiciary, and improving the functioning of the civil service.
RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT
Economic governance needs to be given importance through enough budgetary allocations to social sector priority areas such as education, health, housing, appreciate taxation and subsidy systems. This also requires Government to to promote private sector development through sound business practices, creation of stable economic environment, appropriate regulatory framework and protection of the interests of all concerned including employees, consumers and society at large. Civic governance includes harnessing of the self-initiatives of people, improving their capacities to govern their lives; creating awareness in them and enabling them to take up active role in Democratic governance processes.
RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT
The Bhagidari ( partnership ) Project initiated by the Delhi Government in the year 2000 is an innovative measure towards promotion of good governance. It is a partnership between Government and its various agencies including Municipal Corporation, Police, Water Supply Board, Electricity Board and the Resident Welfare Associations. Their Representatives meet a periodic interval and discuss Problems being faced by citizens and ways of solving them. Good governance, needs reforms on various fronts, such as functioning of Parliament, civil service, judiciary etc. Pursuing good governance needs a multi-pronged strategy which includes;
- Investing in measures that could meet human needs, especially of poor and marginalized;
- Strengthening various institutions of the state;
- Building new partnership with the civil society; and
- Developing a new framework for Government – business cooperation.
Pursuing good governance by any country requires measures at ensuring a proper balance in the functions of public, private and civic sectors in order to achieve economic development and social justice. The state, private sector and civil society, in pursuit of good governance, have to strike an appropriate balance in their roles to strive towards people-oriented development.
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Aslo read—————
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF GOVERNANCE
GOVERNANCE : CONCEPT AND SIGNIFICANCE
The Administrative Structure of Public Administration
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