Good Governance Day is celebrated on December 25th, every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 

About Good Governance Day

• First celebrated in 2014, it underscores the government’s commitment to providing a transparent and accountable administration and ensuring that the benefits of development reach every citizen. 
• The Good Governance Day on December 25, 2024, holds special significance as it marks the 100th birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

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What is ‘Good’ Governance? 

• The “Governance” means “the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented)”. 
  • It encompasses both formal institutions and informal practices.
• Good governance ensures the exercise of authority to manage a country’s resources and affairs with fairness, transparency, and accountability.
• According to the World Bank, Good Governance is defined as “the manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for development”.

Key Characteristics of Good Governance (as per UN)

• Participatatory: Inclusive decision-making involving all sections of society, especially vulnerable groups.
• Follows the Rule of Law: Legal frameworks must be fair, enforced impartially, and protect human rights.
• Transparency: Processes and decisions are open and accessible to the public.
• Responsiveness: Institutions and processes serve all stakeholders efficiently.
• Consensus–Oriented: Mediation of varied interests to achieve common goals.
• Equity and Inclusiveness: Ensuring all members have opportunities and feel included.
• Effectiveness and Efficiency: Use of resources for maximum results without waste.
• Accountability: Both public and private sectors answerable to stakeholders.

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Importance of Good Governance in India 

• Ensures Transparency and Accountability: Good governance enhances trust in institutions by ensuring openness and accountability in public administration.
  • Example: The Right to Information Act (RTI) of 2005 has empowered citizens to demand transparency. 
• Promotes Inclusive Development: Good governance ensures equitable access to resources and services, addressing the needs of marginalized and vulnerable groups.
  • Example: The Jan Dhan Yojana, with over 52 crore bank accounts opened (as of July 2024), has improved financial inclusion by reaching the unbanked population.
• Reduces Corruption: Governance reforms minimize opportunities for corruption by streamlining processes and introducing checks and balances.
  • Example: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) eliminates middlemen in welfare schemes, saving over ₹2.7 lakh crore (Budget 2024) by plugging leakages since its inception.
• Enhances Economic Growth: Effective governance fosters a business-friendly environment, attracting investments and creating jobs.
  • Example: India ranked 63rd in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report (DBR) in 2020, reflecting improvements in governance and ease of doing business policies like GST and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.
• Improves Service Delivery: Good governance ensures efficient and timely delivery of public services, reducing delays and grievances.
  • Example: The Digital India initiative facilitated e-governance, with the Bhoomi Project in Karnataka digitising 20 million land records, reducing disputes and fraud.
• Strengthens Democracy and Rule of Law: Good governance promotes the rule of law and strengthens democratic processes by ensuring justice and accountability.
  • Example: Over 3.3 million elected representatives in Panchayati Raj institutions, represent grassroots democracy, empowered by the 73rd Amendment.

Challenges to Good Governance in India

• Corruption: Corruption erodes public trust and hampers service delivery, making governance inefficient.
  • India ranked 85th out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perception Index 2023, highlighting persistent issues in combating corruption.
  • Professor Bibek Debroy claims that public officials in India may be stealing as much as ₹921 billion (US$11 billion), or 1.26% of the GDP, through corruption. 
• Criminalisation of Politics: The increasing nexus between politics and crime undermines governance and the rule of law.
  • According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) Report 2023, 43% of elected MPs in the Lok Sabha have declared criminal cases against them, affecting policy-making and governance integrity.
• Delays in Justice Delivery: Judicial delays weaken the rule of law and public confidence in the justice system.
  • As of 2023, over 51 million cases are pending across Indian courts, including 80,000 in the Supreme Court, resulting in delayed justice for citizens.
• Regional Disparities: Uneven development between regions creates inequality and challenges governance.
  • While southern states like Kerala have a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.758, states like Bihar lag with an HDI of 0.577 (2022 data).
  • Disparities contribute to socio-economic grievances and insurgencies in less-developed regions.
• Lack of Accountability: Bureaucratic inefficiency and weak mechanisms to hold officials accountable hinder effective governance.
  • Frequent transfers of civil servants  project implementation and accountability.
• Digital Divide: While digital governance improves efficiency, the urban-rural divide and lack of digital literacy pose challenges.
  • According to a report by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI, 2021), only about 35% of rural households in India have access to the internet, compared to over 70% in urban areas.

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Innovations and Initiatives in Governance in India

• E-Governance for Transparency and Efficiency: Leveraging technology to streamline processes, reduce corruption, and enhance public service delivery.
  • Digital India: Promotes digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and e-services. Over 2 lakh gram panchayats are connected via optical fiber under BharatNet.
  • PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation): Monitors the timely execution of government projects, addressing delays for efficient governance, promotes a culture of Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation.
  • UMANG App: Unified platform offering over 1,000 services from central and state governments.
  • Pro-People Good Governance (P2G2): Introduced by Prime Minister Modi, emphasises sensitivity, commitment, and a sense of responsibility in governance.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Eliminates middlemen by transferring subsidies and benefits directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
  • More than ₹2 lakh crore saved since inception.
  • Ensures timely payments for schemes like PM-KISAN and MGNREGA.
• Right to Information (RTI): Promotes transparency by allowing citizens to access government information. Enhanced accountability across departments.
• Citizen-Centric Service Delivery: Improved service delivery by defining standards and creating mechanisms for citizen engagement.
  • Citizen’s Charter: Introduced by various government agencies to outline service standards.
  • Passport Seva Kendras: Reduced processing time for passports from weeks to a few days.
• Participatory Governance: Involving citizens in decision-making and program implementation.
  • Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Mobilized public participation for sanitation. Over 12 crore toilets were built, making villages open-defecation-free.
  • Jan Dhan Yojana: Financial inclusion with over 52 crore bank accounts opened.
• Sustainable Development Initiatives: Focus on environmental conservation and sustainable growth.
  • Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE): Promotes eco-friendly habits to combat climate change.
  • National Solar Mission: Aims for 280 GW of solar power by 2030.
• Decentralization and Local Governance: Empowering local self-governments through resource and decision-making autonomy.
  • Panchayati Raj System: Strengthened by the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments. Over 3.3 million elected representatives, including 1.4 million women.
  • Devolution of funds: Increased fiscal responsibility for local bodies.
• Administrative Reforms: Streamlining governance for improved efficiency and reduced red tape.
  • Mission Karmayogi: Focuses on capacity building and professional training for civil servants.
  • Scrapping of Obsolete Laws: Over 1,500 outdated laws repealed to reduce complexity and enhance efficiency.
  • Good Governance Index (GGI): The Department of Administration Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) launched the Good Governance Index (GGI) Framework and published the ranking for the States and Union Territories (UTs).
• Financial Reforms: Enhancing ease of doing business and ensuring fiscal discipline.
• • Goods and Services Tax (GST): Unified tax regime, increasing compliance and reducing tax evasion.
  • Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC): Enabled faster resolution of corporate insolvencies.

Way Forward for Strengthening Good Governance in India

• Promote Transparency and Accountability: Strengthen mechanisms like RTI and social audits to ensure openness in governance.
  • Increase public oversight through participatory platforms and regular performance reviews.
• Leverage Technology for E-Governance: Expand the Digital India initiative to bridge the urban-rural digital divide.
  • Use emerging technologies like AI and blockchain to enhance efficiency and reduce corruption in service delivery.
• Strengthen Local Governance: Empower Panchayati Raj Institutions and urban local bodies with greater financial autonomy and decision-making powers.
  • Enhance grassroots participation through awareness and capacity-building programs.
• Focus on Inclusivity and Equity: Ensure the inclusion of marginalized communities by improving access to healthcare, education, and social security.
  • Reduce regional disparities by directing more resources to underdeveloped areas.
• Build Institutional Capacity: Invest in professional training for civil servants through programs like Mission Karmayogi to improve efficiency.
  • Ensure continuity in leadership roles by reducing frequent transfers of key officials.
• Strengthen Judicial and Legal Reforms: Address delays in justice delivery by establishing fast-track courts and digitizing legal processes.
  • Encourage alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to reduce the backlog in courts.

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Conclusion

Good governance is the cornerstone of sustainable development, ensuring transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in public administration. By embracing technology, empowering citizens, and fostering equity, India can build a governance model that uplifts all sections of society and drives holistic progress.

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