Good Governance: Gornerstone
lbgesh Suri
lobal and Indian
history is replete with
examples of how
good governance has
improved the lives of
the people and bad
governance has destroyed races
and nations. In Indian mythology,
the emphasis on governance
and sustainable development
can be traced back to time
immemorial. The Bhagvad Gita
provides numerous cues for good
govemance, leadership, dutifulness
and self-realisation which are
continuously re-interpreted in
the modern context. Even in
Kautilya's Arthshastra (2"a4d
century BC), welfare of people
was considered paramount in the role
of the King. Mahatma Gandhi, the
Father of the Nation also emphasized
"su-raj " which essentially means good
governance. In a more recent context,
the importance of govemance is clearly
inscribed in the Indian Constitution
which is built on the premise of a
Sovereign, Socialist, Secular and
Democratic Republic committing
itself to democracy, the rule of law and
welfare of the people.
While the definition of good
governance continues to evolve,
the Tenth Plan document had
highlighted some manifestations of
bad governance which include poor
management of economy, denial
...good governonce needs to tontinue being lhe tornerstone of vorious initiotives. 0nce implemented
ond spirit, the gools sel for nol only New lndio 2022,buiolso Sustoinohle Development Goots 2030 will
greoter reolm of ochievement, more sooner thon loter.
Yogesh Suri is Senior Adviser, NITI Aayog.
Desh Gaurav Sekhri is a Policy Specialist (Governance and Research),
YOJANA March 2019
to Development
of basic needs, threat to life and
personal security, marginalisation
and exclusion, lack of sensitivity,
transparency and accountability in
state machinery delayed justice and
existence of voiceless poor with
little opportunity for participating
in governance and deterioration of
physical environment.
The United Nations has defined
eight pillars of good governance
as- consensus oriented, accountable,
transparent, responsible, equitabie
and inclusive, effective and efficient,
rule of law, and participatory. Under
the Sustainable Development goals
also, Goal 16 can be considered to
be directly linked as it is dedicated
towards improvement in governance,
NITI Aayog.
Desh Gaurov Sekhri
inclusion, participation, rights and
security.
Development Agenda -
India@75
NITI Aayog has brought
out a comprehensive document
viz. "Strategy for New India
@75"spelling out the broad
roadmap for the 75,h year of
India's Independence. This
comprehensive document,
comprising 4l chapters covering
almost all sectors, spells out
current status, binding constraints
and strategies to not only enable
India to become a 4 trillion dollar
economy by 2022 but also lay a
solid foundation for clean, inclusive,
sustained and sustainable growth for the
next three decades. Ofthese, as many
as 7 chapters focus on governance,
covering subjects such as balanced
regional development, legal, judicial
and police reforms, transforming
aspirational districts, civil service
reforms, city governance, optimizing
use of land resources, and data led
governance. In the remaining chapters
also, especially those relating to social
sectors, good govemance remains the
key for better service delivery and
more effective outcomes.
For instance, in the area ofeducation,
one of the key reforms suggested is
a revamped governance system to
in letter
be in the
21
improve monitoring and accountability.
Thus, States should develop and
formulate robust mechanisms to enforce
regulations on teacher qualifications,
teacher absenteeism and learning
outcomes. Furtheq learning outcomes
should be regularly assessed by bodies
independent of the line ministries.
Another reform entails an electronic
national educational registry for
tracking each child's learning outcomes
and final exams through a unique ID.
This will not only assist in preparing
a list of children who drop out after
elementary education, but will also
enable focused attention to the needs of
children from socially deprived groups Anchored in NITI, the programme l)ircct Benefits'l'ransl'er
and those with physical or intellectual is aimed at transforming I l5 most
disabilities. Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT)
backward districts with focused
interventions in the field of health
aims to develop a governance
Likewise, in the health sector, regime which ensures a simple
the document recommends improved and nutrition, education, agriculture
and user-friendly Government to
governance in medical,nursing, and water management, financial
People (G2P) interface and directly
dentistry and pharmacy education. It inclusion and skill development. The
ADP is a landmark initiative that aims
delivers entitlements to eligible
also suggests revamping the AYUSH, individuals and households in a fair,
nursing, dentistry and pharmacy to address governance issues by using
transparent, efficient and reliable
councils along the lines ofthe proposed a combination of approaches: hfting
National Medical Commission Bill,
2017. lt is also proposed to establish a Dirett Benefits Trunsfer (DBT)oims to develop 0 governon(e regime which
Council for Allied Health Professionals ensures o simple ond user-friendly Government to People (G2P) interfoce
to ensure standardization of education ond directly delivers entitlements to
and putting in place quality control
eligible individuuls ond households in u foir, tronsporent, efficient
mechanisms for educational institutions,
teaching methods, clinical protocols ond relioble monner.
and workforce management.
levels of aspirations through a vision manner. It helps in achieving
Aspirational Districts Progranrnre and district plan, adequate institutional multiple benefits. First of all, it cuts
arrangements, convergence in all down the multiple layers for delivery
The Aspirational Districts ofany benefit. Secondly, it reduces
stakeholders' efforts and above all,
Programme (ADP) was launched in
ranking-based publ ic competition the delay in payments. Thirdly, it
January 2018 to transform the lives of
among the districts by setting up a real- helps in accurate targeting of the
people in the under-developed areas of
time monitoring mechanism. beneficiaries and finally it facilitates
the country in a time bound manner.
 b. RePeal redundant l,aws a1l
tn
."rnoua restrictive clauses
existing laws'
c. R;f".; criminal justice and
f,ocus on
oro..autut laws with
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mediation'
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a
u' i.educe the criminalization
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of minor offences'
court Process
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" Prioritize
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i.iiiii"ii.i"l theandfollowtng:-
These include

C'ir Service Refbrnrs

il'i*nro'"
i.' the teeth to tail ratio
and Promote an officer-oriented
culture'
of current 60
b. O"Ou"" the nurnber
services at the
plus separate ctvrl
state level through
i.n,rui and
.utionali'ation and harmonization
of services'
c. Un.o"urt lateral entrY bY
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Irrau.ting-'Pecialists

YOJANA March 2019

.--
 attend to emergency security needs of citizens.
f. Instituting a separate cadre fbr cyber-crimes, cyber
tl.rreats and fraud.

E-Governance
www.afeias.com
To ensure a New India by 2022, some fundamental
principles may need to be prioritized. These include
making services available to the public in a faceless,
Ffee IAS Preparation
paperless and cashless mode; providing connectivity and
digital identity to all; targeting benefits through Aadhaar Free guidonce for IAS Exom by
enabled DBT; sirnplifying forms and processes and
providing e-platforms. E.very Ministry/Department needs Dr. Viioy Agrowol on his websile
to have a closer look at the schemes, its implementation,
rnonitoring and evaluation framework with thrust on
outcomes, not mere outputs or expenditure incurred. Here you will find -
Wherever possible, ICT and in due course, Artificial . Daily Audio Guidance
Intelligence should be used for better outcomes. Likewise
civil society, corporates, markets and citizens at large . Newspaper Analysis
need to be involved in holistic development. Artificial
Intelligence can, in due course, play a major role in . Exam related Articles
better implementation. At the same time, portals such as
Centralized Public Grievance Redressal and Monitoring . AIR Nelvs
System (CPGRAMs), rhe Unified Mobile Application for
New-age Governance (UMANG) and the MyGov need to
. Videos
be rnade r.nore effective in information exchange, seeking . Knowledge Centre
feedback and addressing the grievances of citizens.

To summarize, good govemance needs to continue being

. Important Newspaper Clippings
the cornerstone of various initiatives. Once implemented in . Free Mock-Tests
letter and spirit, the goals set for not only New lndia2022,but
also Sustainable Development Goals 2030 will be in the greater
realm of achievement, more sooner than later. D
( E-ma i I : voges h.s uri@gov. i n
dg.sekhri@nic.in)

Swachh Shakti 201 9, a convention of Women Sarpanches

was organized in Kurukshetra recently. Swachh Shakti- Dr. Viioy Agrowol's
2019 is a national event which aims to bring in to focus the book
leadership role played by rural women in Swachh Bharat
Mission. Women Sarpanches and Panches from all over
the country attended the event. Around 15,000 women
participated in this year's Swachh Shakti event aimed at
empowering the women.
"IIowto
Best practices from grass root level in the rural areas
for Swachh Bharat were shared by them. The event also
Beeome
showcased the Swachh Sunder Shauchalay, (neat and
clean toilet) - a unique and first of its kind in the world
AN II\S'
campaign.

Swachh Shakti is an example of how at the grass root level, A must, read for all lAg as?irant g v-
-at
rural wornen champions are acting as a change agent to €
rnobilize the community and lead from the front. Avqiloble qt qll leoding bookstores 6

24 YOJANA March 2019