Daily Answer Writing GS 2 (Governance and Social Justice)

Subject: GS 2

Syllabus: Governance and Social Justice

• Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.
• Development Processes and the Development Industry — the Role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.

Questions

1. How can we ensure that the bureaucracy functions as a strong support system and makes decisions that prioritise the best interests of the people, aligning with the motto of "minimum government and maximum governance"? (150 Words, 10 Marks)
2. Examine the significance of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in India's developmental journey. In your opinion, are the current legal and regulatory systems sufficient to ensure the efficient functioning of NGOs? (250 Words, 15 Marks)

Model Structure

1. How can we ensure that the bureaucracy functions as a strong support system and makes decisions that prioritise the best interests of the people, aligning with the motto of "minimum government and maximum governance"? (150 Words, 10 Marks)

Model Structure

Introduction: 

• Civil servants are the 'steel frame of India,' connecting the government with the public. They formulate and implement policies, always prioritising the public interest. With the aim of 'minimum government and maximum governance,' they make decisions that ensure effective and welfare-oriented governance. or
• The mantra of "minimum government and maximum governance" implies that the purpose of government is to serve the public interest through governance. In this, the Public is at the system's core rather than the government. The said purpose can be achieved by solving the following issues in governance.

Main Body

Bureaucracy supporting the System but lagging in Public Interest:

• Rule-based civil services with a negligible connection between civil servants and citizens often become complex and cumbersome for the average citizen.
• Red Tapism and apathy of civil servants towards the receiver (public) and blind loyalty towards political masters often lead to the ineffective formulation and implementation of public policies.
  • For example, A tribal woman in Jharkhand died due to hunger, she was denied ration due to the absence of required documents. 

It's not all dark and gloomy. There are many examples of various programmes and schemes which were designed in the larger public interest, such as MGNREGA, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and JAM Trinity etc. But more needs to be done for minimum government and maximum governance.

Prerequisites for minimum government and maximum governance:

• Accessibility: Bureaucratic red-tapism, the complexity of the paperwork, a multiplicity of authorities, etc., often make it difficult for an average citizen to access public services.
• Affordability: Public service fees, paperwork, the complexity of the procedure (leads to agent involvement) etc., make it unaffordable for an average citizen to access public services. 
  • For example, to get a loan of Rs. 1 Lakh, a poor man has to go through an expenditure of 10,000 for bribes, agents, travel and wage loss, etc.
• Accountability: For a citizen-centric governance system, there is a need for accountability at the individual as well as organisational levels.

Steps that can be taken:

• Digitisation: Digitisation of governance also brings transparency, further pushing for the priority of the public interest.
  • The UMANG app is a good example of this direction from which citizens can avail of various services. 
• Citizen Charter: It will bring transparency and reduce the time for service delivery.
• Objectivity and simplification of the system: Simplification of the documentation requirement will ease up the task for both civil servants as well as citizens.
• Inculcating Nolan's Principles can make Indian Bureaucracy more in the public interest.  
  • These principles are selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
• Also, Mission Karmyogi aims to radically improve the steel frame of India and bring public interest to the centre stage through maximum governance.

Conclusion:

• The trusteeship relationship between the public and the officials requires that the authority entrusted to the officials be exercised in the best interest of the people or the ‘public interest’. 
• The Nolan Committee, in its seven principles of public life, has emphasised serving "the public interest". Therefore the motto of "minimum government and maximum governance" is to serve the public interest by supporting the system.

2. Examine the significance of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in India's developmental journey. In your opinion, are the current legal and regulatory systems sufficient to ensure the efficient functioning of NGOs? (250 Words, 15 Marks)

Model Structure

Introduction 

• A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a group that functions independently of any government. It is usually non-profit. 
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) play an integral role in India's development trajectory. Acting as critical drivers of civil society, NGOs not only facilitate service delivery but also foster innovation, voice underrepresented groups, and shape policy discourse.

Main Body

Their role becomes critical, especially in areas where government mechanisms may not reach efficiently. 

Significance of NGOs in India’s developmental journey 

• Service Delivery: NGOs often fill gaps in public service delivery, especially in inaccessible and underserved regions.  For example, organizations like Goonj have made noteworthy contributions to disaster relief efforts, filling in gaps left by official relief measures
• Representation and Advocacy: NGOs serve as a voice for marginalized and vulnerable sections of society, advocating for their rights and welfare. For instance, PRADAN has been instrumental in empowering rural women through self-help groups.
• Policy Influence: Many NGOs actively contribute to policy discourse and reforms.
• Innovation: NGOs have pioneered innovative development models. The Akshaya Patra Foundation’s mid-day meal program exemplifies an NGO initiative scaling up to national importance.

Current Legal and Regulatory Systems for NGOsThe present legal and regulatory mechanisms present a mixed picture. While they do provide a structured framework for NGO operations, they also pose some stringent constraints.

• Regulatory Acts: The functioning of NGOs in India is governed by various acts like the Societies Registration Act, 1860; the Indian Trusts Act, 1882; and the Companies Act, 2013 (Section 8).
• FCRA Regulations: The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, regulates the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions. The 2020 amendment to FCRA has been viewed by some as restrictive, potentially constraining the NGO sector.
• Accountability Mechanisms: Mechanisms like the Darpan portal of NITI Aayog, and the NGO Darpan portal managed by the Ministry of Electronics and IT aim to ensure transparency and accountability.

Conclusion 

• To enhance the efficiency of NGOs, it is paramount to ensure a balance between accountability and autonomy.
• A conducive regulatory environment characterised by ease of compliance, transparency, and proportionate controls on malpractices, can truly leverage the potential of NGOs in India's socio-economic development.

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