Governance

What is Governance?

• According to UNDP, “Governance is the exercise of economic, political, and administrative authority to manage a country’s affairs at all levels. It comprises the mechanisms, processes, and institutions through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet their obligations, and mediate their differences.”

What is Good Governance?

• Good governance refers to the processes and structures that promote the overall well-being of citizens, and ensure the rule of law, transparency, accountability, and participation.

Importance of Good Governance

1. Effective Service Delivery
   • Good governance guarantees that citizens receive governmental services in an efficient and timely manner.
   • It emphasizes the importance of having an administration that is responsive and accountable to the people’s needs.
   • Example – Aadhar-based Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) for subsidies.
2. Accountability and Transparency
   • Good governance encourages transparency in government operations and makes information available to the public.
   • Accountability mechanisms make public authorities accountable for their actions and decisions.
3. Better Economic Development
   • A well-governed country fosters an environment favorable to economic development.
   • Policies that are clear, predictable, and equitable attract investments and contribute to sustained economic growth.
4. Corruption Mitigation
   • Good governance is critical in combating corruption.
   • Transparent processes, accountability measures, and anti-corruption activities all contribute to the creation of a corruption-free environment, which fosters trust in public institutions.
   • Example – Platforms like Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
5. Inclusion and Equity in Society
   • The fair and equitable distribution of resources and rewards is emphasized in good governance.
   • It advocates for social justice, inclusivity, and equitable chances for all members of society.
   • Example – Beto Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme.

Pillars of Good Governance

1. Participation
   • Through participatory governance, people can participate in the decision-making, execution, and monitoring of government actions.
   • Example – Public consultations and online feedback for policies through platforms like MyGov.
2. Accountability
   • Accountability is defined as the acceptance and commitment of responsibility for actions, services, decisions, and policies.
3. Responsiveness
   • As part of effective governance, institutions, and procedures must attempt to represent all stakeholders within a reasonable time frame.
   • Example – PM Grievance Redressal Portal
4. Effective and Efficient
   • Good governance requires that systems and organizations produce results that make the most use of the resources at their disposal.
   • As a result, it addresses the equitable use of natural resources as well as environmental conservation.
   • Example – GST Network (GSTN) has reduced delays and improved administrative efficiency.
5. Equitable and Inclusive
   • People should be allowed to enhance or maintain their well-being.
   • This requires giving chances for all groups, particularly the most vulnerable, to improve or maintain their well-being.
   • Example – MGNREGA
6. Consensus Oriented
   • Decentralisation of decision-making through Gram Sabhas.
   • Example – Provisions for social auditing.
7. Rule of Law
   • For good governance, equal legal systems that are uniformly executed are required.
   • Example – Supreme Court’s decriminalisation of Section 377.
8. Transparent
   • It implies that information is easily accessible in easily legible formats, and that it is accessible to individuals who may be influenced by such decisions and their implementation.
   • Example – The Right to Information Act (RTI), 2005.

Barriers to Good Governance

1. Lack of Accountability: At most levels, authority and accountability are separated, resulting in a realistic and plausible informant system.
2. Red-Tapism: Bureaucracy is required to follow important rules and procedures for good governance. However, the complexity of these regulations, along with civil servants’ unwillingness to take risks, causes policy gridlock.
3. Ineffective Law and Rule Implementation: A poor implementation might be extremely costly.
4. Citizens’ Lack of Awareness of Their Rights and Duties: Citizens’ lack of awareness of their rights inhibits them from bringing erring government officials accountable.
5. Electoral reforms and power decentralisation are lacking: Electoral democracies have gotten infected with the disease of supporting political parties and elections; individuals are bribed to vote, which is illegal.

Good Governance Initiatives 

• 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment
• Mission Karmayogi – The National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building has been launched with the goal of transforming capacity building in the bureaucracy through institutional and process reforms.
• Niti Aayog proposal for lateral entry into middle rung of civil services
• Sevottam model