UGC NET Political Science Unit–10 Governance and Public Policy in India

1. Concept of Governance

Meaning and Evolution

• The term “Governance” means the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented).

• It goes beyond “government” — involving institutions, citizens, civil society, markets, and networks that interact to manage a nation’s economic, social, and political affairs.

Etymology:
Derived from the Greek word kybernan (to steer or pilot a ship), indicating direction and coordination.

---

Difference Between Government and Governance

---

Evolution of the Concept

1. Traditional Public Administration (Before 1980s):

   • Focused on rules, hierarchy, and procedures.

   • Citizen viewed as a passive recipient.

2. New Public Management (1980s–1990s):

   • Introduced efficiency, performance measurement, and market mechanisms.

   • Citizens viewed as “customers.”

3. Good Governance (1990s onward):

   • Promoted by the World Bank (1989) and UNDP (1997).

   • Focused on transparency, accountability, participation, and human rights.

4. Democratic and E-Governance (2000s–Present):

   • Citizens are “partners” in policy formulation.

   • Technology enables open, citizen-centric governance.

---

🟢 2. Good Governance and Democratic Governance

Good Governance

Definition:

According to the World Bank (1989), good governance is “the manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for development.”

UNDP’s Eight Principles of Good Governance:

1. Participation – citizen involvement in decision-making.

2. Rule of Law – fair legal frameworks and enforcement.

3. Transparency – availability of information and open decision-making.

4. Responsiveness – timely and appropriate action by institutions.

5. Consensus Orientation – mediation of differing interests.

6. Equity and Inclusiveness – opportunities for all.

7. Effectiveness and Efficiency – optimal use of resources.

8. Accountability – answerability of officials and institutions.

---

Democratic Governance

• Democratic governance links democracy and governance, emphasizing citizen empowerment, equality, freedom, and participation.

• It integrates civil rights, representation, and decentralized decision-making.

• Supported by institutions like Parliament, Judiciary, Election Commission, and local self-governments.

Core Features:

• Free and fair elections

• Separation of powers

• Rule of law and judicial review

• Human rights and social justice

• Inclusive public policy

---

Role of Key Actors in Governance

---

🟢 3. Accountability and Control Mechanisms

Meaning

Accountability is the obligation of public officials to explain and justify their actions to the public and relevant institutions.
It ensures checks and balances in democratic governance.

---

Types of Accountability

---

Institutional Mechanisms for Checks and Balances

(a) Legislative Control over Executive

• Instruments:

  • Question Hour, Zero Hour, Adjournment Motions, Censure Motions, Cut Motions.

  • Parliamentary Committees such as:

    • Public Accounts Committee (PAC) – examines CAG reports.

    • Estimates Committee – ensures economy in expenditure.

    • Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU) – oversees PSUs.

• Budgetary Control: Parliament votes on Demands for Grants and scrutinizes expenditure.

---

(b) Judicial Control

• Judiciary exercises control over executive and legislature through:

  • Judicial Review (declaring laws unconstitutional).

  • Public Interest Litigation (PIL) for citizen grievances.

  • Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32).

Example:

• Vineet Narain v. Union of India (1997) – strengthened independence of CBI and CVC.

---

(c) Administrative and Budgetary Control

• Internal mechanisms: hierarchy, supervision, inspections, performance appraisal.

• External mechanisms: CAG audits, Vigilance Commission, Lokpal/Lokayukta.

---

(d) Control through Civil Society and Media

• Media exposes corruption and ensures transparency (e.g., 2G, Commonwealth Games).

• Civil society movements like India Against Corruption (2011) increased pressure for institutional reform.

---

Administrative Culture

• Refers to the values, attitudes, and behavioral norms that shape the functioning of public officials.

• Indian administrative culture historically influenced by:

  • Colonial legacy (hierarchy, secrecy)

  • Bureaucratic elitism

  • Patron-client relationships

• Modern reforms aim to inculcate:

  • Ethics, service orientation, accountability, and efficiency.

---

Corruption and Administrative Reforms

• Corruption undermines trust and development.

• Major anti-corruption measures:

  1. Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act (2013)

  2. CVC (Central Vigilance Commission) – statutory status (2003)

  3. RTI Act (2005) – citizen empowerment

  4. Whistle Blowers Protection Act (2014)

  5. Digital Governance – reduces human discretion and bribery.

---

🟢 4. Institutional Mechanisms for Good Governance

(i) Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005

• Ensures citizens’ right to access government records.

• Promotes transparency and accountability.

• Obligates public authorities to respond within 30 days.

Key Features:

• Appointment of Public Information Officers (PIOs).

• Central and State Information Commissions.

• RTI excludes information affecting national security and privacy.

---

(ii) Consumer Protection Act, 2019

• Replaced the 1986 Act.

• Established Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions at three levels.

• Recognizes six consumer rights, including right to safety, information, choice, and redressal.

---

(iii) Citizen Charter (1997)

• Initiated under Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).

• Defines service standards, time limits, and grievance procedures for government offices.

• Promotes responsive administration and citizen satisfaction.

---

(iv) Grievance Redressal Mechanisms

Example:
Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose was the first Lokpal of India (2019).

---

🟢 5. Grassroots Governance: Panchayati Raj Institutions

73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992

• Provided constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

• Implemented under Part IX (Articles 243–243O).

Structure:

1. Gram Panchayat (village level)

2. Panchayat Samiti (block level)

3. Zila Parishad (district level)

---

Key Features:

• Direct elections every five years.

• Reservation: 1/3rd for women; proportional for SC/STs (many states provide 50% for women).

• Gram Sabha: Direct democracy forum of adult villagers.

• State Finance Commission: Recommends fund devolution.

• State Election Commission: Conducts PRI elections.

---

Functions of PRIs

• Rural development, agriculture, health, sanitation, education, roads, housing, social welfare.

• Implementation of MNREGA, Swachh Bharat, PMAY, etc.

---

Urban Governance – 74th Amendment Act, 1992

• Empowered Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) — municipalities and corporations.

• Focused on urban planning, housing, infrastructure, and environment management.

---

🟢 6. Planning and Development

Decentralised Planning

• Promoted by Balwantrai Mehta Committee (1957) and Gadgil Formula.

• Ensures local-level need-based development.

Tools: District Planning Committees (DPCs) integrate local and state plans.

---

Participatory Development

• Involves citizens, NGOs, and community-based organizations (CBOs) in development planning.

• Encourages bottom-up governance and ownership.

---

Sustainable Development

• Coined by Brundtland Commission (1987):

  “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

• In India, integrated in policies like:

  • National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

  • Swachh Bharat Mission

  • Jal Jeevan Mission

---

E-Governance

• Application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in public administration.

• Goals: transparency, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility.

Initiatives:

• Digital India Mission (2015)

• UMANG app, e-Seva, DigiLocker, MyGov, BharatNet, e-Kranti.

• Advantages:

  • Reduces corruption

  • Empowers citizens

  • Enhances service delivery

---

NITI Aayog (2015–Present)

• Replaced Planning Commission (1950–2014).

• Acts as policy think-tank under the Prime Minister.

• Aims to promote cooperative and competitive federalism.

• Functions:

  • Formulate vision documents.

  • Monitor SDG (Sustainable Development Goals).

  • Evaluate government schemes.

  • Encourage innovation (Atal Innovation Mission).

---

🟢 7. Public Policy as an Instrument of Socio-Economic Development

Meaning

• Public policy is the intentional course of action chosen by government to achieve certain goals affecting society at large.

Stages of Policy Process

1. Agenda setting

2. Formulation

3. Implementation

4. Evaluation and feedback

---

Key Policies and Programs

---

🟢 8. Monitoring and Evaluation of Public Policy

Monitoring

• Continuous review of implementation and progress.

• Uses tools like Management Information Systems (MIS), progress reports, and field visits.

Evaluation

• Assessment of outcomes, efficiency, and social impact.

• Conducted by NITI Aayog, CAG, independent agencies, and NGOs.

---

Innovative Mechanisms for Accountability

---

🟢 9. Challenges to Good Governance in India

1. Bureaucratic inefficiency and red-tapism.

2. Political interference and corruption.

3. Low citizen awareness.

4. Digital divide in e-governance.

5. Coordination between Centre, states, and local bodies.

---

🟢 10. Way Forward

• Strengthen ethical governance and civil service reforms.

• Promote citizen participation in policy design.

• Institutionalize social audit and e-transparency.

• Ensure inclusive and sustainable development through cooperative federalism.

• Empower Panchayati Raj Institutions for true decentralization.

---

🟢 Summary Table