India is making a significant stride towards Citizen-Centric Governance, an integral aspect of Good Governance. This shift aims to transform the traditional government-centric approach into a system that directly benefits citizens. The recent launch of the Integrated Credit Portal ‘Jan Samarth’ by the Prime Minister signals this transformative move.
About Jan Samarth Portal
Jan Samarth Portal, a Ministry of Finance initiative, serves as a consolidated platform for several government credit-linked schemes. The portal enables beneficiaries to connect with lenders conveniently, thereby enhancing loan application and processing under Credit-Linked Government Schemes. Its launch furthers inclusive growth across various sectors, benefitting students, farmers, businessmen, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises entrepreneurs, and the start-up ecosystem.
The Concept of Good Governance
Governance pertains to the decision-making process and its implementation. Depending on the context, the term is used in corporate governance, international governance, national governance, and local governance. Good Governance is specifically defined as “the manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for development.” Historically, the concept has been discussed extensively; even Chanakya elaborated it in Arthashastra. The foundation of citizen-centric administration lies in good governance.
Principles of Good Governance
Good Governance operates on eight principles:
1. Participation: All individuals should have the freedom to voice their opinions through legitimate organizations or representatives.
2. Rule of Law: An impartial enforcement of legal frameworks, especially human rights laws.
3. Consensus Oriented: Decision-making processes should aim for a common minimum acceptable to all stakeholders.
4. Equity and Inclusiveness: Good governance provides opportunities for everyone to improve their well-being.
5. Effectiveness and Efficiency: Institutions should produce results that meet community needs using resources effectively.
6. Accountability: Governmental institutions and private sectors should be accountable to the public.
7. Transparency: The public should have access to, and understand, information from institutions.
8. Responsiveness: Institutions should serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe.
Why Good Governance is Essential?
Improving governance is part of development. Good governance can curb corruption by introducing participation, accountability, and transparency in administration. Reports have shown that despite the increase in public sector expenditure on education, health, sanitation, rural employment, etc., the desired results are not achieved. Persistent regional and socio-cultural disparities indicate that economic reforms’ benefits are unevenly distributed. Poor governance strengthens poverty and undermines efforts to reduce it.
The Challenges for Good Governance
Good Governance faces challenges such as attitudinal problems among civil servants, lack of accountability, bureaucratic red tapism, low awareness of rights and duties among citizens, and ineffective implementation of laws and rules.
Recommendations for Enhancing Good Governance
To make administration more Citizen-Centric, several strategies, processes, tools, and mechanisms have been examined, including re-engineering processes, adoption of modern technology, right to information, citizens charters, independent evaluation of services, grievance redressal mechanisms, and active citizen participation.
Related Initiatives
Several initiatives related to Good Governance have been introduced, such as Right to Information, E-Governance, Ease of Doing Business, Police Reforms, Aspirational Districts Programme, Good Governance Index, and Unified Payment Interface.
Future Directions
To restore good governance, India needs to incorporate the Gandhian principle of ‘Antyodaya.’ Focus should also be given to developing probity in governance, making it more ethical. Inclusive and sustainable development will be the outcome of following the ideals of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas. The uptake of schemes and reform initiatives by public office would ensure benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.
