Q.39 “Effectiveness of the government system at various levels and people’s participation in the governance system are interdependent.” Discuss their relationship with each other in the context of India. GS-II: POLITY (UPSC CSE 2016)(250 WORDS,15 MARKS)

Answer:

THE INTRODUCTION:

People’s participation in government systems can significantly enhance their effectiveness by fostering transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments have institutionalized people’s participation in local governance. At the same time, initiatives like the Right to Information Act have empowered citizens to actively engage with and influence government functioning at all levels.

THE BODY:

GOVERNMENT SYSTEM EFFECTIVENESS LEADS TO INCREASED PEOPLE PARTICIPATION:

• • Improved service delivery and accessibility: Effective e-governance initiatives like DigiLocker and Common Service Centres (CSCs) have made government services more accessible, especially in rural This encourages greater citizen engagement with government systems. The Aadhaar biometric identification system has streamlined access to government services and subsidies, reducing leakages and improving delivery. This builds trust and encourages participation.
  • Enhanced transparency and accountability: Platforms like the Right to Information (RTI) Online Portal enable citizens to access government information easily. This transparency promotes accountability and encourages citizens to engage more with governance processes. E-procurement initiatives have made government procurement more transparent, reducing corruption and encouraging fair participation.
  • Improved feedback mechanisms: Online grievance redressal portals allow citizens to lodge complaints directly with authorities and seek resolutions. This responsiveness encourages more active citizen participation. Government agencies use social media platforms and mobile applications to enable real-time feedback and interaction between citizens and officials.
  • Decentralization of governance: The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments empowered local governance structures like panchayati Raj institutions, increasing citizen participation in local decision-making.
  • Rights-based approach: Laws like RTI, MGNREGA, Right to Education, etc., have shifted citizens from passive beneficiaries to active rights holders, increasing their stake in governance.
  • Digital democracy initiatives: Platforms like MyGov allow citizens to provide policy input and participate in governance Though still limited, experiments with online voting systems can potentially increase voter turnout and participation.
  • Building trust through effective governance: When government systems function effectively and deliver results, they build public trust and confidence, encouraging greater civic engagement and participation in democratic processes.

PEOPLE PARTICIPATION INCREASES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GOVERNMENT SYSTEM:

• • Enhanced Accountability and Transparency: People’s participation creates pressure for greater government accountability and For example, the Right to Information (RTI) Act empowers citizens to seek information from public authorities, making government functioning more transparent.
  • Improved Decision-Making and Policy Formulation: Citizen involvement leads to more informed and responsive decision-making. For instance, the MyGov platform allows citizens to provide suggestions on government policies. For the Union Budget 2020-21, it received over 18,000 suggestions from citizens, helping policymakers understand public priorities.
  • Better Service Delivery: Participation enables citizens to provide feedback and demand better The e-governance initiative in Andhra Pradesh municipalities, by allowing online complaints and feedback, achieved a 98.22% grievance resolution rate and high citizen satisfaction.
  • Local Development and Empowerment: Decentralized participation empowers communities to drive local development. The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments mandated citizen participation in local governance through Panchayati Raj Institutions and urban local bodies.
  • Conflict Resolution and Trust-Building: Participatory processes can help resolve conflicts and build trust between citizens and the government. Public consultations for infrastructure projects have led to more acceptable outcomes by addressing stakeholder concerns.
  • Improved Monitoring and Implementation: Citizen engagement enhances the monitoring of government programs. For example, social audits of schemes like MGNREGA involve local communities in monitoring implementation, reducing corruption, and improving effectiveness.
  • Innovation in Governance: Collaboration between government and citizens can lead to innovative solutions. The “I Change My City” platform by Janaagraha in Bangalore has resolved 8% of over 5.8 million citizen complaints, improving municipal services through citizen engagement.

THE CONCLUSION:

The symbiotic relationship between government effectiveness and people’s participation is crucial for India’s democratic vitality and development. While significant progress has been made through constitutional provisions and policy initiatives, challenges remain in fully realizing this potential. Strengthening this interdependence requires continued efforts to enhance transparency, create more avenues for meaningful citizen engagement, and build capacity at all levels of governance. As India moves forward, nurturing this relationship will be key to achieving responsive, accountable, and effective governance.