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GOOD GOVERNANCE- A STRAID FOR DEVELOPMENT

Governance means the process of. decision-making and the process by. which decisions are implemented (or not. implemented). Governance can be used in several contexts such as corporate governance, international governance, national governance and local governance. Good governance adds a normative or evaluative attribute to the process of governing. From a human rights perspective it refers primarily to the process whereby public institutions conduct public affairs, manage public resources and guarantee the realisation of human rights.

Citing from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the concept of good governance has eight principles namely Participation, Rule of law, Transparency, Responsiveness, Consensus oriented, Equity and inclusiveness, Effectiveness and efficiency and Accountability. It may span of full respect of human rights, the rule of law, effective participation, multi-actor partnerships, political pluralism, transparent and accountable processes and institutions, an efficient and effective public sector, legitimacy, access to knowledge, information and education, political empowerment of people, equity, sustainability, and attitudes and values that foster responsibility, solidarity and tolerance.

The Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) report on governance for over 200 countries and territories. The WGI is based on information from over 30 data sources that provide the views of citizens, experts, and entrepreneurs on governance. The WGI covers six broad dimensions of governance, including: Voice and Accountability, Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism, and Government Effectiveness. According to the Chandler Government Index (CGGI), Singapore is the country with the best governance, followed by Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, and Norway. The top Worst Governed Countries in the World are Tunisia, Kenya, Ghana, Namibia, El Salvador etc.

 The status of good governance in India is complex and includes both positive and negative aspects. As Positive aspects The government has implemented e-governance models to increase transparency and openness in government processes. The GGI is a framework that assesses the state of governance in India’s states and union territories. The GGI helps to rank states and districts, and to compare their performance. In 2021, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa topped the composite rank score. The government has implemented organizational reforms, including Mission Karmayogi, Lateral Recruitment, and timely promotion policies. When we see Negative aspects, India was ranked 85th out of 180 countries in the 2022 Corruption Perception Index.

The gap between rich and poor persists, with the richest 1% holding more than 40% of the country’s wealth. Many government programs are poorly executed, leading to limited impact. India’s courts are overburdened with a backlog of cases, which can delay access to justice. India faces challenges like air pollution, water scarcity, and deforestation. Partisanship and a focus on electoral gains can overshadow long-term policy planning. The index was prepared by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

Earlier this year, India was ranked 49th in the Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI). Tamil Nadu topped in Good Governance Index in the “Big States” category. The Himachal Pradesh government released the 2023-24 District Good Governance Index, with Kangra taking the top spot and Bilaspur in second. In 2023 Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances organized the Good Governance Week, and implemented Special Campaign 3.0 to institutionalize Swachhata and reduce government pendency. It also organized 10 National Webinars to share best practices for good governance. 

To address governance concerns, India has implemented a variety of good governance projects. The following are a few of them: Right to information act, E-Governance and use of ICT tools, 73rd and 74th constitutional amendment to decentralise people participation, Aspirational district program to eliminate regional disparities, Social audit, Citizen charter, Codification of labour, Insolvency and bankruptcy law, Centralised public grievance redress and monitoring system, Sevottam model of service delivery, Impetus to social infrastructure projects, resulting in more jobs, improved ease of life, and equitable access to infrastructure for all, making growth more inclusive.

Economic and social infrastructure projects are included in the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP). Some measures that can improve good governance which include Legal reforms, Decentralization, Police reforms, Probity, Fair legal frameworks, independent judiciary, Impartial and incorruptible police force, Participation, Consensus-oriented etc 

 The effective functioning of governance is the prime concern of every citizen of the country. The citizens are ready to pay the price for good services offered by the state, but what is required is a transparent, accountable and intelligible governance system absolutely free from bias and prejudices. There is a need to reformulate our national strategy to accord primacy to the Gandhian principle of ‘Antyodaya” to restore good governance in the country.

The government should continue to work on the ideals of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas which will lead to inclusive and sustainable development. India should also focus on developing probity in governance, which will make the governance more ethical. Then only the good governance gives fruitful results. 

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