Good Governance

Notes

Good governance means managing public affairs so that rights are realised and resources used for the public good. The World Bank popularised the term (1989, 1992). The UNDP lists eight characteristics: participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive, and following the rule of law.

Pillars in India: citizen-centricity, transparency, accountability, responsiveness, rule of law, inclusive development, ethics and integrity. The Constitution's Preamble, Fundamental Rights and DPSPs form its basis. Kautilya's Arthashastra and Gandhi's Gram Swaraj are classical references; Amartya Sen's Development as Freedom links governance to capabilities.

Initiatives

RTI Act (2005), Citizens' Charters, e-governance and Digital India, Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act (2013), social audit, DBT, GeM.
PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation): an ICT platform chaired by the PM for monitoring projects and grievances.
Mission Karmayogi (2020): capacity building of civil servants.
Good Governance Day: 25 December (A.B. Vajpayee's birth anniversary), observed since 2014.
Second ARC (chair M. Veerappa Moily) and the Santhanam Committee (1964) on corruption.
Slogan: "Minimum government, maximum governance".

Challenges: corruption, criminalisation of politics, delays and pendency, poor capacity at the local level, weak accountability, and low participation.

Key Points

UNDP lists eight characteristics of good governance.
World Bank popularised the concept (1989, 1992).
Good Governance Day: 25 December.
Initiatives: RTI, Lokpal, PRAGATI, Mission Karmayogi.
Challenges: corruption, delays, weak accountability.

MCQs

Q1. Good Governance Day is observed on: (a) 24 January (b) 15 August (c) 25 December (d) 31 October Ans: (c).

Q2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of good governance according to the UNDP? (a) Participatory (b) Rule of law (c) Secrecy (d) Responsiveness Ans: (c).

Q3. PRAGATI is: (a) An ICT-based platform for monitoring and review chaired by the PM (b) A health scheme (c) A tax reform (d) A rural housing scheme Ans: (a).