Contemporary India: Good Governance
This chapter covers the concept of good governance in India, including key reforms, challenges like corruption, and the role of civil society.
The concept of has become a central focus in Indian politics and public administration, representing a paradigm shift from a focus on mere government to a focus on governance. Good governance refers to the processes of decision-making and implementation that are participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective, equitable, and follow the rule of law. It's about how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources in a way that guarantees the realization of human rights.
Several landmark initiatives have been undertaken to promote good governance in India. The {Right_to_Information} (RTI) Act of 2005 is perhaps the most significant. It empowers any citizen to request information from a public authority, transforming the state-citizen relationship from one of opacity to one of transparency. RTI has been a powerful tool used by citizens and civil society to expose corruption and demand accountability.
The push for {E-governance} is another critical pillar. By leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the government aims to improve the delivery of public services, making them more accessible, efficient, and transparent. Flagship programs like "Digital India" encompass this vision, with projects like the Passport Seva Kendra (for passports) and MyGov.in (for citizen engagement) demonstrating its potential. The "Aadhaar" unique identity system is a foundational element of this digital architecture, enabling direct benefit transfers (DBT) of subsidies to the poor and reducing leakages.
However, the path to good governance is fraught with challenges. {Corruption} remains a deeply entrenched problem at all levels of government, eroding public trust and diverting resources from development. While anti-corruption bodies like the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Lokpal (a national ombudsman) have been established, their effectiveness is a subject of ongoing debate.
In this context, the role of {civil_society_organizations} (CSOs) is crucial. From grassroots movements to national advocacy groups, CSOs act as watchdogs, highlighting governance failures, campaigning for reforms (as seen in the movement for the Lokpal bill), and working to empower marginalized communities. Social audits, where citizens directly review and verify government spending on local projects, are a powerful example of civil society-led accountability.
Other major governance reforms include the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to create a unified national market, the "Make in India" initiative to boost manufacturing, and the "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan" (Clean India Mission) for sanitation. The NITI Aayog, which replaced the Planning Commission, was established to foster "cooperative federalism" and act as a policy think tank. These initiatives collectively represent an ongoing effort to make the Indian state more responsive, accountable, and effective in meeting the aspirations of its citizens.