3 January 2025 : Daily Answer Writing

Q1) What do you understand by ‘Good Governance’? Highlight the key barriers to good governance in India and the measures required to overcome such barriers. (150 Words/10 Marks)

 

Answer:

Good governance, as per UNDP, involves mechanisms, processes, and institutions through which citizens articulate their interests, exercise legal rights, meet their obligations, and mediate differences.

Eight pillars of good governance [UN] – participation, rule of law, transparency, accountability, responsive, consensus-building, equity, and effectiveness.

Key Barriers to Good Governance in India:

1. Political: (a) frequent changes in government and political interference disrupt continuity and consistency; (b) lack of political will + inconsistent enforcement of laws; (c) low levels of public awareness and participation reduces responsiveness; (d) top-down approach are out of touch of ground realities; (e) lack of trust in democratic decentralization [e.g., state government not giving PRIs enough powers]; (f) ineffective implementation of tools like citizens charter, RTI act, social audit etc.

2. Administrative: (a) widespread corruption at various levels undermines trust and efficiency; (b) red tape, lack of accountability, and outdated processes hinder effective governance; (c) inaccessibility to information and opaque decision-making; (d) inflexible, self-serving, and parochial attitude of civil servants.

3. Socio-Economic: (a) marginalization of some communities, castes, and gender pushes them out of democratic fold; (b) lack of awareness about rights and entitlement; (c) glorification of corruption at the societal level; (d) rising socio-economic inequality.

Measures Taken to Overcome Barriers to Good Governance:

1. Anti-Corruption: (a) creating + enforcing strict legislation [e.g. Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018]; (b) strengthening mechanisms to enquire and act on corruption [e.g. Lokpal Act, 2013]; (c) plugging leakages causing corruption [e.g. use of JAM trinity].

2. Transparency: Right to Information made seeking information from the government a legal right, consequently led to increased accountability [e.g. Commonwealth Games Scam].

3. Bureaucratic: (a) Digital India reduced paperwork, digitized services, and enhanced efficiency [e.g. PRAGATI portal, GeM, etc.]; (b) Mission Karmayogi aims to impart competency-focused training to civil servants;

4. Political: (a) 72nd and 73rd amendments – increased participatory governance [Bottom-up approach]; (b) MyGov platform encourages public participation in governance and policy-making; (d) increasing citizen participation through initiatives such as SBA.

According to Bhagwad Gita, Good governance should be based on 3Ds – Dharma, Detachment and Dedication.

 

For more such UPSC related Mains Answer Writing, Check Out 2 Januray 2025 : Daily Answer Writing