Good Governance Day 2024 (GS Paper 2, Government Policies)
Why in News?
- Good Governance Day is celebrated on 25th December to raise awareness among citizens about government accountability and effective administration.
- The theme for 2024 is “India’s Path to a Viksit Bharat: Empowering Citizens through Good Governance and Digitalisation.”
- It was started in 2014 to honor the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
- The birth anniversary of Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya is also observed on 25th December.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee
- Born: 25th December, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, a poet and politician.
- Political Career: Served as India’s Prime Minister three times: briefly in 1996, for 13 months in 1998-1999, and full-time from 1999-2004.
- Recognition: Conferred India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna in 2015. Received Padma Vibhushan in 1994.
- Key Achievements:
- Golden Quadrilateral Project: Connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata through national highways.
- Economic Reforms: Liberalized India’s economy, fostering industrial growth and attracting foreign investment.
- Nuclear Tests of 1998: Established India as a nuclear power, promoting peace and non-aggression.
What Initiatives were Launched on Good Governance Day 2024?
- New iGOT Karmayogi Dashboard: Allows Ministry/Department/Organization leaders and state administrators to monitor the progress and effectiveness of their entities more efficiently.
- 1600th iGOT Karmayogi Course: Promotes continuous development and lifelong learning for government employees.
- Viksit Panchayat Initiative: Strengthens PRIs' ability to deliver quality services and empower Panchayat leaders with essential skills.
- CPGRAMS Annual Report, 2024: Highlights progress in enhancing public service delivery through a robust grievance redressal mechanism.
What is Good Governance?
- Good governance refers to the decision-making process and its implementation necessary to achieve developmental goals.
- According to the World Bank (1992 report "Governance and Development"), good governance involves the management of a country’s resources for development.
- The true test of good governance lies in how it delivers on the promise of human rights: civil, cultural, economic, political, and social rights.
Key Attributes of Good Governance (World Bank):
- Participatory: Ensures gender-inclusive participation.
- Consensus Oriented: Mediates societal interests for sustainable development.
- Accountable: Institutions should be answerable to those affected by their actions.
- Transparent: Decisions are made according to rules and accessible information.
- Responsive: Institutions serve all stakeholders within reasonable time.
- Effective and Efficient: Ensures processes meet societal needs using available resources.
- Equitable and Inclusive: Includes vulnerable groups for societal well-being.
- Rule of Law: Requires impartial legal frameworks, an independent judiciary, and corruption-free law enforcement.
AB Vajpayee and Good Governance
- Under Vajpayee’s leadership, initiatives such as the Kisan Credit Card, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, and the National Rural Health Program transformed governance in India.
What is the Significance of Good Governance?
- Economic Growth: Equal rights and protection in the workforce could increase India’s GDP by USD 770 billion by 2025.
- Social Development: Programs like SWAYAM and Skill India empower marginalized groups.
- Aadhaar Integration: Prevents leakages and ensures direct benefit transfer (DBT) in welfare schemes.
- Strengthening Democracy: MyGov and e-Governance platforms reduce corruption and increase citizen participation.
- Accountability: The RTI Act, 2005 ensures transparency, while PFMS tracks public expenditure.
- Reducing Inequality: PMJDY promotes financial inclusion; MGNREGA provides wage employment to rural households.
- Building Trust: e-Courts digitize court processes; CPGRAMS offers a grievance redressal platform.
What are Initiatives for Good Governance in India?
- Good Governance Index
- PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation)
- Right to Information, 2005
- National e-Governance Plan
- e-Court System
- Public Financial Management System
- Mission Karmayogi
What are the Hurdles with Good Governance in India?
- Corruption: Costs India 0.5% of GDP annually and hampers business environments.
- Lack of Accountability: Erodes public trust, leading to political apathy.
- Criminalisation of Politics: 46% of Lok Sabha members face criminal charges.
- Ineffective Implementation of Laws: Laws like the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 lack effective enforcement.
Way Forward
- Decentralization: Empower local bodies like municipalities and panchayats for better governance.
- Ethical Standards: Public servants must follow principles of integrity, accountability, and selflessness.
- Gender Equality: Promote women’s participation in all socio-economic sectors.
- Whistleblower Protection: Strengthen protection for those exposing corruption.
