Q.15. “Good governance is considered a key to achieving sustainable development and human well-being.” Evaluate this assertion with reference to initiatives undertaken by the Government of India
05,Oct 2024
Posted By : SPM Academy
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Good governance is essential for fostering sustainable development and enhancing human well-being, as it ensures transparency, accountability, participation, and rule of law in public administration. For a diverse and complex country like India, good governance has become critical to addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. Over the years, the Government of India has undertaken several initiatives aimed at promoting good governance, which in turn drives sustainable development and improves the quality of life for its citizens.
Good Governance and Sustainable Development
Good governance promotes efficient use of resources, equitable distribution, and ensures that the benefits of development reach all sections of society. It helps in achieving the goals of sustainable development by:
Ensuring effective service delivery.
Mitigating corruption and inefficiencies.
Encouraging public participation.
Fostering social inclusion and environmental protection.
Government of India’s Initiatives Promoting Good Governance
1. Digital India: Transparency and Efficiency in Public Services
Digital India was launched in 2015 to transform India into a digitally empowered society. The program aims to ensure that government services are available electronically, improve online infrastructure, and increase internet connectivity.
Impact:
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): The DBT system has ensured that subsidies and welfare benefits reach the intended beneficiaries directly, cutting out middlemen and reducing leakage.Data: As of 2022, over ₹7.3 lakh crore has been transferred through DBT across 319 schemes, benefiting over 900 million people.
E-Governance: Digital platforms like DigiLocker, UMANG, and e-Sign have made access to public services easier, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency.
Sustainable Development Link: By digitizing public services, Digital India has reduced administrative bottlenecks and corruption, promoting equitable access to services and improving governance, which is essential for achieving SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
2. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY): Financial Inclusion and Empowerment
Launched in 2014, PMJDY aimed to provide access to financial services, particularly for the unbanked and underbanked sections of society, fostering greater financial inclusion.
Impact:
As of December 2022, over 48 crore bank accounts have been opened under PMJDY, with a cumulative balance of more than ₹1.8 lakh crore.
The Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) Trinity has empowered individuals by linking bank accounts with Aadhaar and mobile phones, making financial transactions more efficient and secure.
Sustainable Development Link: By promoting economic inclusion and empowerment, PMJDY contributes to the achievement of SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
3. Aadhaar and Aadhaar-Enabled Services: Accountability and Welfare
The Aadhaar system, launched in 2009, provides each Indian resident with a unique identification number, facilitating access to a range of services and entitlements, including subsidies, pensions, and social security.
Impact:
As of 2023, over 1.33 billion Aadhaar cards have been issued, making it the world’s largest biometric identification system.
Leakage reduction: Aadhaar has played a key role in curbing leakage in welfare schemes, with the government saving over ₹2.2 lakh crore by eliminating fake beneficiaries.
Sustainable Development Link: Aadhaar’s ability to streamline service delivery and reduce inefficiencies aligns with SDG 16 (strong institutions) and SDG 1 (poverty eradication) by ensuring that government benefits reach the poorest and most vulnerable.
4. Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM): Sanitation and Public Health
Launched in 2014, the Swachh Bharat Mission aimed to make India Open Defecation Free (ODF) and improve sanitation and hygiene across the country.
Impact:
Over 10 crore toilets have been constructed under SBM, and rural sanitation coverage increased from 39% in 2014 to nearly 100% in 2019.
India was declared Open Defecation Free in October 2019, although challenges remain in sustaining behavioral change and addressing urban sanitation issues.
Sustainable Development Link: Improved sanitation contributes directly to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by reducing water-borne diseases and improving public health.
5. Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): Sustainable Urban Development
Launched in 2015, AMRUT focuses on ensuring basic infrastructure services such as water supply, sewage management, and public transportation in 500 cities across India.
Impact:
Over 2,300 projects related to urban infrastructure, worth ₹77,640 crore, have been completed under AMRUT as of 2022.
The mission has improved access to clean drinking water, sewage treatment, and sustainable urban mobility, enhancing the quality of life in cities.
Sustainable Development Link: AMRUT aligns with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by promoting urban sustainability and better living conditions in cities.
6. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): Social Security and Employment
MGNREGA, launched in 2005, guarantees 100 days of wage employment to rural households, providing a safety net for the rural poor and promoting rural development.
Impact:
In 2022-23, over 6 crore households were provided with employment under MGNREGA, with over 363 crore person-days generated.
The program also contributes to environmental conservation, as many MGNREGA projects focus on water conservation, soil erosion prevention, and afforestation.
Sustainable Development Link: MGNREGA promotes inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction, contributing to SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work), and SDG 13 (Climate Action) through its focus on environmental sustainability.
Governance-Related Challenges and Future Directions
Corruption and Accountability Issues: While programs like Aadhaar and DBT have reduced corruption, leakages and inefficiencies still persist in many government schemes. Strengthening institutional accountability and enhancing the monitoring mechanisms of various welfare programs will be crucial for ensuring sustainable outcomes.
Capacity Building: Effective implementation of good governance practices requires a well-trained bureaucracy and local administrative bodies. Programs like Mission Karmayogi—the government’s civil service capacity-building initiative—are steps toward equipping public officials with the skills needed for efficient governance.
Inclusive Governance: Ensuring that marginalized groups, such as tribal communities, women, and the urban poor, are included in governance and benefit from development initiatives remains a challenge. Programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, which focuses on girl child education and empowerment, are steps in the right direction.
The Government of India has undertaken several significant initiatives to promote good governance, which directly supports sustainable development and human well-being. From digital governance to sanitation, financial inclusion, and employment generation, these programs have made substantial progress in enhancing transparency, accountability, and public service delivery. However, achieving the goals of sustainable development requires continuous efforts to address challenges like corruption, inequality, and capacity building. With the right reforms and policies, India can ensure that good governance becomes a key driver of sustainable growth and improved quality of life for all its citizens.