Day 57 – Q 3.Do you observe a change in the way government organisations are functioning now a days? Has governance become more value driven today? Critically comment.

3. Do you observe a change in the way government organisations are functioning now a days? Has governance become more value driven today? Critically comment. 

क्या आप सरकारी संगठनों के काम करने के तरीके में बदलाव देख रहे हैं? क्या शासन आज अधिक मूल्य संचालित हो गया है? समालोचनात्मक टिप्पणी करें।

Introduction:

Functioning of government organizations has changed recently on account of various movements like Right to Information, movements against corruption; adoption of technology in governance; increased participative governance and new slogans like “minimum government, maximum governance”.     

Body

Change in the way government organizations are functioning now a days 

• Cooperative and competitive federalism

• Focus on e-governance – Direct Benefit Transfer, Geo-tagging in NREGA, online registration and clearance etc

• Participation of Private players – lateral entry in NITI Aayog, RBI, Civil Services; NGO implementing many government schemes like ICDS etc

• Nudge – is being tried by many government organizations, for instance in case of LPG subsidy.  

• New slogan like Sabka Saath Sabka Vikash Sabka Vishwas has made governance more inclusive and participatory. 

• Effective inter-organisational cooperation through bodies like NITI Aayog, Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority.

• Efficiency and profitability – Disinvestment in loss making PSUs; government’s commitment to Current Account Deficit etc

Has governance become more value driven today?

Yes 

• Rule of Law – Even the highest officials and ministers are questioned and are brought under the law. 

• Transparency – Government bidding process had been made digital and transparent. 

• Responsiveness – few ministers have shown extraordinary responsiveness to the grievances of people. Late External Affair minister Smt. Sushma Sawaraj even used to help people based on complains made on twitter.  

• Consensus Oriented – GST council has created a platform consultation and dialogues among Centre and states. 

• Equity and Inclusiveness – Expenditure of government had increased on infrastructure, agriculture etc 

• Effectiveness and Efficiency – Disinvestment in loss making PSUs; government’s commitment to Current Account Deficit etc

• Accountability – RTI, Social audits, Citizens Charters has increased accountability of government organisations.

• Participation – recently National Education Policy was framed by wider consultation and participation. 

NO

• Rule of Law – World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index 2019 has ranked India 68 out of 16 countries. There has been many instances of financial fugitives, Mob taking law in their hand etc

• Transparency – Recently instances like Demonetization despite alleged opposition by RBI raises many questions on transparency in decision making. 

• Responsiveness – enough compassion does not seem to come forth in government organization on issues like farmers suicide, violence against Dalit, minorities, women etc

• Consensus Oriented – It is alleged by many that most of the important decision are taken from PMO. Even senior ministers do not have functional autonomy. 

• Equity and Inclusiveness – representation of SC, minorities, women at secretory level is low. 

Conclusion

In a democracy values are inherent in governance. With more participatory citizenry, e-governance, audit, active judiciary and direct accountability towards people, value based governance can be further strengthened.