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Table of contents
1. Effective governance.................................................................................................................................... 1
Bibliography...................................................................................................................................................... 4

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Document 1 of 1

Effective governance
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Full text: Assam, June 29 -- Political leaders, administrators and academics, have expressed concern over
effective governance at different times in different forums. In order to consolidate the gains from economic
liberalization and to make them inclusive and sustainable, the Government of India feels there is a need for
reforms in governance. Kamal Nath, Union Minister for Road Transport while delivering the first CUTS Silver
Jubilee Lecture at Jaipur said, 'After the first phase of reforms in trade and investment, the country needs
reforms in governance. We need to consolidate the benefits of the first phase by putting more thrust on
governance at district, State and Central levels.'
Effective, responsive, transparent and accountable administration has been the goal towards which our
administrative and political systems have been striving since independence. In the well known Vohra Committee
report it was mentioned that the conference of Chief Secretaries in November, 1996 drew attention to the fact
that despite recognition of the critical role of responsive administration for achieving the goal of growth with
equity, the public administration and the civil services at all levels are passing through difficult times, in terms of
eroded credibility and effectiveness of the civil service. There has been increasing criticism of the low level of
honesty, transparency and accessibility to the political and bureaucratic elements in charge of administration.
There is no denying the fact that in spite of efforts we are still quite a distance away from effective governance.
The time has come to analyze the reasons, identify the factors, which obstruct effective governance and the
short-term and long-term policy measures and administrative steps to be taken towards achievement of the
same. The problem has become much more crucial and complex in view of the fast changing political scenario,
in the context of the present and emerging political compulsions.
Some may imply that the concept of effective governance is derived from the West but this may not be wholly
correct. As far back as 300 BC, Kautilya in his treatise Arthasastra had in his own way propounded the traits of
good governance by the ruler as follows. 'In the happiness of his subjects lies his happiness, in their welfare his
welfare, whatever pleases himself he shall not consider as good but whatever pleases his subjects, he shall
consider as good.' Another interesting facet of Kautilya framework of governance included programmes for
advancement of weaker and vulnerable sections of the society, in some ways forerunner of our concerns today.
Despite some semblance of effective governance during the British colonial rule, the primary purpose was
consolidation of the British rule and resource exploitation for strengthening the British empire. The
Administrative Reforms Commission also noted that the pre-independence governance was concerned mainly
with the enforcement of the law, maintenance of the order and the collection of revenue. Involvement of the
government during British regime in the economic and social spheres was confined mainly to the tasks like
building and maintaining a modest transport and communication system, regulation of indigenous trade and
commerce and providing facilities in the fields of education and health. The developmental perspective of
governance was obviously missing. It was neither welfare oriented nor change oriented.
The first inkling of the fundamental principles of effective governance can be gleaned through the preamble and
the Directive Principles of State Policy, Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties. The Welfare State as a
modern concept came in to existence during the period between 1947 and 1952, with the establishment of a
National Government in a free and republican India and the establishment of the Central Planning Commission.
From the very beginning, we in India have regarded the bureaucracy as a major instrument of effective
governance. This has presented its own problem and their role and relationship with the political masters. If
accountability is the core characteristics of a democratic system, it is necessary that control should be executed
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over those to whom power is delegated. An objective analysis of the governance system during the last few
decades would indicate that the increasing politicization of civil service has greatly hampered the task of
effective governance. This is the dilemma of a parliamentary system of government where the political bosses
(the Ministers) have to depend a lot and work in close collaboration with top bureaucrats.
Another important issue would be whether it is really possible or feasible to provide effective governance in the
emerging political scenario where the prospect of a single political party dominating the national scene has
greatly diminished. The coming decades could well be the coalition era. The moot point is whether under a
coalition dispensation, with all its pushes and pulls and the compulsion of meeting requirements of divergent
political agenda and philosophies, effective governance is possible or not. We have positive examples of many
West European countries like, France, Germany and Italy where effective governance has not been hampered
despite occasional periods of political instability and coalition governments.
In the context of the emerging political scenario, economic reforms, and the imperatives of growing emphasis on
market economy, downsizing of bureaucracy has come to be an important concern. However, downsizing of
bureaucracy is not an objective in itself. It must be seen in the context of what impact it would have on effective
governance. If downsizing is accompanied with a change in the role of the bureaucracy and its style of
functioning, if it leads to the lowered interference by the bureaucracy and greater emphasis on strategic
planning and promotion of development, reduction of the size of bureaucracy could lead to more effective
governance.
If on the other hand, the orientation with micro-level control and authority continues and the role and style of
functioning does not change, downsizing may not lead to effective governance. Instead, greater delays and
disruption may be encountered. What is really needed is a change in the orientation and style of functioning of
public bureaucracies. There would be an increasing need for professionals in the civil services. Increasing
professionalism among the public servants can be an effective anti-dote to the politicization of the bureaucrats.
Further, with ever increasing complexity of economic and social problems and the emerging role of technologies
in development the 'generalist' administrators would have to be replaced by more professionals.
The role of government in the economic development has changed to give more space to the private sector. In
fact, role of the government has become promotional. For this purpose, there is a need for timely clearance of
private investment proposals. However, no amount of policy change will produce expected results unless the
bureaucratic mind-set is in tune with the new liberalization policy. Effective governance of public organisations,
institutions, developmental policies and programmes can only ensure progress of the nation at a pace to match
our ability to attain Vision 2020.
Published by HT Syndication with permission from Assam Tribune. For more information on news feed please
contact Sarabjit Jagirdar at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
123
Publication title: The Assam Tribune
Publication year: 2010
Publication date: Jun 29, 2010
Year: 2010
Dateline: Assam
Publisher: HT Media Ltd.
Place of publication: Assam
Country of publication: India

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Publication subject: General Interest Periodicals--India

Source type: Newspapers
Language of publication: English
Document type: NEWSPAPER
ProQuest document ID: 577043803
Document URL: http://search.proquest.com/docview/577043803?accountid=11526
Copyright: Copyright HT Media Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Last updated: 2011-06-03
Database: International Newsstand

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Bibliography
Citation style: APA 6th - American Psychological Association, 6th Edition
Effective governance. (2010, Jun 29). The Assam Tribune Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/577043803?accountid=11526

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