DHARMASHASTRA NATIONAL

LAW UNIVERSITY, JABALPUR

SESSION - 2021/22

PUBLIC POLICY AND GOVERNANCE

TOPIC – Future and prospects of good governance in India

Submitted By – Under the guidance of –

Raman Singh Patel Ms. Arathi Aneesh
BAL/098/19 Asstistant Professor
Section – B of political science
Ms. Bhagyashree Agarwal
Research cum Teaching Assistant
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The success and final outcome of this project required a lot of guidance and assistance from
many people and I am extremely privileged to have got this all along the completion of my
project. All that I have done is only due to such supervision and assistance and I would not
forget to thank them.

I respect and thank Ms. Arathi Aneesh and, Assistant. Professor of Political Science and
Ms. Bhagyashree Agarwal, Research cum Teaching Assistant, for providing me an
opportunity to do the project work and giving us all support and guidance which made me
complete the project duly. I owe my deep gratitude to him, who took keen interest on our
project work and guided us all along, till the completion of our project work by providing all
the necessary information for developing a good system.

I would not forget to remember our respected vice chancellor Prof. Dr. V. Nagraj sir for his
encouragement and more over for their timely support and guidance till the completion of our
project work.

I am thankful to and fortunate enough to get constant encouragement, support and guidance
from all Teaching staffs of Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur which
helped us in successfully completing our project work.

Raman Singh Patel

BAL/098/019
Section - B

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INDEX

1. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE...................................................................................................4
2. RESEARCH QUESTIONS................................................................................................4
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY..........................................................................................4
4. LIMITATIONS OF THE PROJECT.....................................................................................4
5. ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................5
6. CHAPTER I..................................................................................................................6-8
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................6-8
7. CHAPTER II................................................................................................................8-10
GOOD GOVERNANCE IN INDIA.......................................................................................8
INITIATIVES OF GOOD GOVERNANCE IN INDIA............................................................8-10
8. CHAPTER III.............................................................................................................11-13
CHALLENGES TO GOOD GOVERNANCE IN INDIA....................................................11-13
9. CHAPTER IV.............................................................................................................14-18
GOOD GOVERNANCE IN HEALTH AND EDUCATION SECTOR...................................14-18
10. CONCLUSION................................................................................................................19
11. BIBLIOGRAPHY.............................................................................................................20

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REASEARCH OBJECTIVE

 To understand the concept of good governance, its features, examples in India its
challenges and the future prospects of governance in the health and Education sector.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

 What is good governance, its features and challenges in India?

 What are the prospects of good governance in the health and education sector in
India?
 What are the future prospects of e-governance in India?

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This research is a doctrinal research based on data and information from primary sources.

LIMITATIONS OF THE PROJECT

The projects is limited to the prospects of good governance in two specific sectors namely,
Health and education, it does not include other sectors. Therefore, the suggestions are limited
to the above mentioned sectors and may not be applicable to other sectors.

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ABSTRACT
This project highlights the concept of good governance and its role in the development of the
country and future prospects. Good governance makes a significant contribution to the
development of the country. It helps in building people’s trust towards the government by
enabling interaction of the people with their government. Some of its features include
Transparency, Inclusiveness, Accountability; Rule of law etc. Good governance in India can
be seen in a number of government policies, schemes and laws such as the Right to
Information Act, 2005, The Right to Education Act of 2009 Good governance however, faces
a number of challenges in India such as resistance to, Aspirational Districts programme,
Make in India, Judicial and police reforms etc. Good governance however faces a number of
challenges such as Criminalisation of politics, Corruption, Gender disparity, delayed Justice
etc. The government therefore need to make sure the challenges are properly addressed which
is extremely essential for the development of a country.

This project highlights the prospects and suggestions related to good governance in the fields
of health and education. These two sectors are two of the fundamental pillars of a country’s
administration and are basic necessities. Good governance of these sectors therefore is really
essential because other sectors are also dependent on the efficiency and effectiveness of these
two sectors to a certain extent. Therefore a look in the future prospects in these two sectors
becomes important.

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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Understanding Good Governance

“‘Governance’ is the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are
implemented (or not implemented). Governance can be used in several contexts such as
corporate governance, international governance, national governance and local governance.
In the 1992 report entitled “Governance and Development”, the World Bank set out its
definition of Good Governance. It defined Good Governance as “the manner in which power
is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for
development”. Good governance has 8 major characteristics.‘It is participatory, consensus-
oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive
and follows the rule of law. It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities
are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in
decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society.”

Reference of Good Governance in Indian and International Texts

The Bhagavad Gita contains various guidelines for proper government, leadership,
stewardship, and self-realization, all of which are reinterpreted in a modern perspective.

The wellbeing of the people was deemed vital in the position of King in Kautilya's
Arthashastra (2nd-3rd century BC). Mahatma Gandhi highlighted the importance of "su-raj,"
which translates to "good government."

The importance of governance is enshrined in the Indian Constitution, which is based on the
principles of a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic committed to democracy,
rule of law, and people's welfare.

Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals might be considered a direct relationship

because it focuses on improving governance, inclusion, participation, rights, and security.

"Good governance" is "ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law; enhancing
democracy; increasing openness and capacity in public administration," according to former
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. "Perhaps the single most essential component in reducing
poverty and supporting prosperity is good governance," he added.

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Principles of Good governance

Participation

People should have the ability to express themselves through genuine local organisations or
representatives. Men and women, disadvantaged portions of society, backward classes,
minorities, and so on are all included. Participation also entails the ability to associate and
express oneself freely.

Rule of Law

The legal framework, particularly in the area of human rights, should be applied consistently.
Without the rule of law, politics will follow the matsya nyaya (fish law) principle, which
states that the powerful will triumph over the weak.Consensus oriented.

Equity and Inclusiveness

A just society is ensured by good government. People should be given the chance to improve
or preserve their health.

Effectiveness and Efficiency

Processes and institutions should be able to provide results that are in line with the
community's requirements. The community's resources should be put to the best possible use
in order to maximise output.

Accountability

Good governance attempts to improve people's lives, and this can't happen unless the
government is held accountable to them. The public and institutional stakeholders should
hold government institutions, the commercial sector, and civil society organisations
responsible.

Transparency

The public should have access to information that is understood and monitored. It also entails
the availability of free media and information.

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Effectiveness

Institutions and processes should provide service to all stakeholders in a timely manner.

CHAPTER II

GOOD GOVERNANCE IN INDIA

“Good governance is fundamental and eGovernance is instrumental. eGovernance is a tool.

No e-Governance tool can be successful without focusing attention to process reforms for
good governance. Good governance dictates the design and shape of s e-tools for improving
governance outcomes and processes. eGovernance can be an effective and efficient tool for
good governance if and only if the process reforms have been carried out. Automating
complicated government processes will create more problems than it can solve. With process
re-engineeering, effective implementation of e-Governance can take IT to the common man,
helping the government to align services with the changing needs of both citizens and other
stakeholders.”

Commencement of Good Governance Day

Good Governance Day (Suśāsan Divas) was established in India in 2014, to be observed
annually on 25-December, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari
Vajpayee, with a view towards fostering awareness of accountability in government.

INITIATIVES OF GOOD GOVERNANCE IN INDIA

Right to Information

As a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), India
owes it to its citizens to adequately protect their right to information under Article 19 of the
ICCPR. The Right to Information Act of 2005 marked a watershed moment in Indian
democracy. It improves the government's responsiveness to community demands by
providing citizens with better access to information. By making the government more open to
public examination, the right to information promotes openness, transparency, and
accountability in administration.

E-Governance

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The National e-Government Plan aims to make all government services available to the
general public in his neighbourhood through common service delivery outlets, while also
ensuring efficiency, transparency, and reliability of such services at reasonable prices. In the
era of rapidly emerging information and communication technologies (ICTs), which herald
new prospects for rapid social and economic transformation around the world, e-government
efficiently offers better programming and services. E-Government has a direct impact on
citizens, who gain from direct interactions with government services. Pro-Active Governance
and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI), Digital India Program, MCA21 (to increase the
timeliness and certainty in the delivery of Ministry of Company Affairs services), Passport
Seva Kendra (PSK), online Income Tax Return, and other e-Government programmes have
been introduced.

Legal Reforms

With the goal of increasing openness and efficiency, the Central Government has repealed
approximately 1,500 outdated regulations and laws. Reform the criminal justice system and
procedural laws, with a focus on pre-indictment mediation.

Ease of Doing Business

The government has taken steps to enhance business conditions, including legislation aimed
at improving the business environment and policy ecosystems in the country (such as the
Bankruptcy Code, the Goods and Services Tax or GST, and the anti-money-laundering
law).Government has launched the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Decentralization

The Centralised Planning Commission was abolished, and the National Institution for
Transforming India (NITI Aayog), a think tank, was established to usher in a period of
"cooperative federalism." For the years 2015 to 2020, the 14th Finance Commission
increased the divisible pool tax devolution to states from 32% to 42%. It gives governments
more leeway to create plans based on local variables.

Police Reforms

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Modernizing police forces and putting the 2015 Model Police Act into practise. Reforming
the filing of First Information Reports (FIRs), including the introduction of e-FIRs for minor
offences. To respond to residents' emergency security demands, establish a national
emergency hotline.

Aspirational Districts Programme

The Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) was launched in January 2018 with the goal of
transforming people's lives in the county's underdeveloped areas in a time-bound manner.
The NITI Aayog-led programme aims to transform 115 of the country's poorest districts
through targeted interventions in health and nutrition, education, agriculture and water
management, financial inclusion, and skill development.

Good Governance Index

On December 25, 2019, the Good Governance Index was introduced in observance of Good
Governance Day. The Good Governance Index is a standardised measure used by state
governments and union territories to assess the state of governance and the impact of various
actions. The Good Governance Index's goals are to provide quantifiable data to compare the
state of governance in all states and Union Territories, as well as to enable states and Union
Territories to develop and implement appropriate strategies for improving governance and
transitioning to result-oriented approaches and administration.

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CHAPTER III

CHALLENGES TO GOOD GOVERNANCE IN INDIA

Criminalization of Politics

According to the Association of Democratic Reforms, 43 percent of Lok Sabha members are
facing criminal accusations in 2019. In comparison to 2014, this represents a 26% rise. The
criminalization of politics, as well as the unholy alliance of politicians, civil servants, and
economic interests, are wreaking havoc on public policy development and governance. The
political class as a whole is losing credibility. As a result, it is required to revise Section 8 of
the Representation of the People's Act 1951 to disqualify anyone who is facing criminal
accusations for grave and egregious crimes or corruption.

Corruption

Corruption is a key impediment to increasing governance quality. While individual greed is

clearly a driver of corruption, structural incentives and a lack of enforcement to punish the
corrupt have contributed to India's increasing graft curve.

According to Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index - 2019, India's

ranking has dropped from 78 to 80.

Gender Disparity

"It is difficult to think about the wellbeing of the world unless the position of women is
better," Swami Vivekananda said. It's hard for a bird to fly with just one wing."

Examining the position of the country's women is one way to assess the state of the country.
Because women account for over half of the population, it is unjust that they be
underrepresented in government institutions and other related industries. As a result, it is
critical to ensure women's empowerment in order to ensure good governance.

Growing incidence of violence

Illegal use of force is considered a law and order issue. When viewed through the lens of
Good Governance principles, however, it becomes evident that peace and order are the first
step toward growth.

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Delay in Justice

A person has the right to prompt justice, yet there are various factors that prevent the average
man from receiving it.

Centralisation of Administrative System

Lower-level governments can only function effectively if they are given the authority to do
so. This is especially important for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), which are now
suffering from a lack of funding and functionaries to carry out the legally mandated
responsibilities.

Marginalization of Socially and Economically Backward People

The socially and economically disadvantaged have always been pushed to the margins of
society's growth. Despite the fact that there are constitutional provisions for their upliftment,
they continue to lag behind in many areas such as education, economic well-being, and so on.

It is being widely appreciated that good governance is dependant not merely upon good
policy advises but more importantly on the processes and incentives to design and implement
good policies themselves. Dysfunctional and ineffective public institutions are increasingly
seen to be at the heart of the economic development challenge. Misguided resource
allocations, excessive government interventions, and widespread corruption have helped in
perpetuation of poverty. The weak institutions of governance make an adverse impact on
service delivery. Poverty reduction depends on improvements in the quality and timely
delivery of services to poor people of basic education, health, potable water and other social
and infrastructure requirements. The major challenge is to put in place institutional
arrangements for service delivery that are workable in a particular district or a region and are
made to function in a manner that are intelligible to the local people and that also encourages
them to participate. Such institutions would be responsive to the citizenry and reasonably
efficient in the delivery of public services. Scholars as well as administrators agree that
participation of civil society in decision-making, public sector capacity building and rule of
law are essential for quality and timely delivery of services. The concept and practice of good
governance in a country demands that there should be constructive mechanisms and
procedures that will enable the three principal actors – government, market and civil society –

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to play in concert and to supplement each other’s capability. The working of all governments
at the Centre and in the States has clearly revealed the existence of powerful interest groups
who have a strong vested interest in preserving the status quo. This comes in the way of
government becoming the effective agent of change and guarantor of social justice. The
entrenched power group always resists attempts to alter the status quo and that too in favour
of disadvantaged and poor. The poor are largely unorganized and cannot be mobilized easily
because of their large numbers. The leadership at various levels placed in the task of striking
a balance between the demands of the powerful interest groups and voiceless poor have rarely
gone against the powerful. There is no doubt that market has better delivery of services.
Moreover, in a competitive environment, the market can be both cheaper and more effective
than the government in providing certain types of services. However, the markets, controlled
as it is by businessmen, operate for profits and the poor have little or no voice in the
regulation of its operations. Thus, the failure of the government and the profit motive of 1913
the market have led to distorted developments in which the rich have become richer and the
poor poorer. Market is an integral part of social order but the truth is that principles of market
cannot be allowed to govern society and polity. Accordingly, no democratic government can
leave market uncontrolled and free from regulations. The poor are poor of course because of
historical inequities but also on account of failure of the State to empower them adequately to
get their entitlements. Democratic governance demands that the State can not for long serve
the demands of the rich and organized sectors of the society and ignore the dalits, the
minorities and the women because they are unorganized and poor

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CHAPTER IV

FUTURE AND PROSPECTS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE IN HEALTH

AND EDUCATION SECTOR

HEALTH SECTOR

The health sector's effective governance is a vital basis for improving health. New alliances
and possibilities for interaction between state and non-state actors will be required for health
sector governance. Countries will need increased capacity for applied policy research and
evaluation, as well as stronger platforms for effective intersectoral initiatives. Improved
health governance necessitates cross-national cooperation in areas such as medical research,
norms and standards, and communicable disease control. We cannot afford not to invest in
governance since it is so important to the health sector's effectiveness. Although health-care
governance is unlikely to be ideal in any setting, there are tried-and-true strategies to improve
key areas even when broader governance is an issue.

Because of the complexities of governance, determining how governance affects health is

difficult. Composite measures of governance, such as democracy, the atmosphere for private
investment, or corruption, are frequently used in research looking at the effects of broad
governance on health, as well as regionally focused indicators. The World Bank has created
certain measures to assist policymakers in determining what actions they might take to
improve governance.

Health-care governance is similarly complex, and there is currently no standardised technique

for conceptualising and measuring governance and its impact on the sector's performance. It
can, however, be assessed by looking at specific functions or principles like stakeholder
participation in health planning processes, local health service accountability mechanisms,
provider performance information, health sector legislation clarity, health regulation
enforcement, and the availability of procedures to report resource misuse. While many of
these duties are standard in other industries, the significant amount of information asymmetry
in healthcare necessitates specific attention. Another way to evaluate health-care governance
is to look at the roles and responsibilities of major players including legislators,
policymakers, clients or citizens, and service providers. Political economy analysis,
evaluations of involvement or inclusion in decision-making, and functional audits of
important institutions and governing organisations may be utilised in more targeted

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assessments. Reviewing the functioning of legislative oversight committees, hospital boards
and clinic committees, or procedures for regulating specific health programmes are examples
of the latter. Assessing and enhancing governance for cross-sectoral initiatives is particularly
difficult, as evidenced by the difficulties in prioritising and coordinating activities on early
childhood development and nutrition.

The list of interventions and 'reforms' needed to improve governance might be lengthy and
intimidating. Changes must take into account local capacities and practicalities, aiming for
"good enough" rather than "perfect" governing circumstances. The agenda will change
depending on the local situation and/or available resources. Well-accepted techniques
emphasise a stronger civil service, improved audits, decentralisation, and increased local
responsibility as ways to improve public sector effectiveness. State institutions can be made
more successful by combining increased citizen participation and increased public response.
However, such attempts must recognise the relevance of power and political will, as well as
institutional competence, in enacting policies. In the health industry, corruption can be very
prevalent, and there is accumulating evidence of which actions work to minimise it. Although
there is little research on corruption in the health sector in low-income countries, it does
suggest that treatments rely on political commitment to succeed.

To be effective, different areas of the health industry require their own governance
procedures. Strategic purchasing for health, for example, necessitates judgments on the
services, or benefits package, to be delivered, the responsibilities of purchasers and providers,
and the quantity of resources required to meet service entitlements by governing
organisations. Similarly, governance mechanisms are crucial for strengthening the health
workforce (through accreditation, licensing, and registration), improving access to and
procurement of essential drugs and medical supplies (through inspections and pharma
covigilance, for example), and standardising health data and information systems. Various
governance models that hold service providers accountable for continuously enhancing the
quality of their services are gaining traction.

There is a rising awareness of the possibilities for collaborations between civil society
organisations, citizens, and government to monitor and improve many elements of health-
care performance. Another interesting area is the increased use of digital technologies to
improve transparency, reinforce decision-making, mobilise citizens for accountability, and
automate audit processes. These two breakthroughs are clearly complementary, with digital

15
technology boosting non-traditional groups' engagement in governance. The data for the
success of such tactics is still accumulating, but it does imply that they can be beneficial
provided there are also changes in government's organisational culture, such as effective
sanctions rather than just more information. Effective governance of the health sector is a
critical foundation for improving health. For UHC to be achieved, health sector governance
will require new partnerships and opportunities for dialogue, between state and non-state
actors.

EDUCATION SECTOR

Government rules at universities must be reduced so that university autonomy and

accountability may be enhanced, and academic results can be judged on their merits.

New financial control procedures and measures should be created, and direct financial
department intervention in university financial management should be eliminated.

Because colleges are the universities' supporting resources, a high level of coordination in
their operations is critical

Academic organisations and other governing bodies of universities should maintain complete
transparency in their operations. There is a pressing need to assess the University Acts in
various states and alter them in light of the new conditions and limits that universities are
facing. To improve clerical efficiency, new technology should be used.

Higher education should be pushed for the country's community and economic progress.

Students should be encouraged to participate in university/college administration.

Political sway in the appointment of university professors and administrators should be

avoided.

Establish measurable policies for the public good, including a defined role for higher
education.

While access to high-quality professional higher education must be expanded, equity must be
ensured by providing financial and academic support to the impoverished and
underprivileged parts of society.

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Sufficient training programmes for faculty members should be undertaken in order to adopt
new skills and expertise in order to construct learning systems that are relevant and current
with 21st-century requirements.

Any system's long-term viability depends on quality assurance. As a result, the higher
education system, in collaboration with all stakeholders and with appropriate regulatory
mechanisms, should establish conducive conditions for the development of research,
innovative, and creative ideas, with the goal of ensuring high quality.

To encourage high-quality research, build internationally competitive curricula and teaching

techniques, and disseminate creative ideas, worldwide university networks and partnerships
should be developed.

Higher education must be built on a public-private partnership model due to a lack of public
finances in a fast rising economy.

Academic freedom should be offered to both professors and students in order to achieve
academic excellence.

Both the government and the private sector must make concerted efforts to attract the best
employees with a competitive wage package that includes bonuses and benefits.

Given the breadth and severity of the challenges confronting Indian higher education, it
would be easy to become overwhelmed by the issues and give up hope of finding solutions.
At the same time, given India's enormous potential in industry and technology, as well as the
significant progress made in higher education and research in recent decades, it would be
tempting to get carried away and believe that India will somehow overcome these challenges.
Based on a rational assessment of the situation, neither of these two reactions appears to be
justified. The issues that India faces in higher education and research are real and significant,
as this study and other assessments reveal; they will not go away on their own, and they are
not accessible to simple and routine solutions. To be overcome, it appears that not only
enormous reorganisations in both the provision and utilisation of public and private resources
are required, but also profound and long-lasting transformations in institutional cultures both
inside and outside the country.

Despite its current issues, India appears to have a number of advantages that suggest it will be
able to meet the challenge. It has been a great achievement to build a contemporary system of

17
higher education and research from the ground up since independence, and it should be a
strong predictor of future growth.

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CONCLUSION

Every person of the country is concerned about the country's successful government. Citizens
are willing to pay a price for decent government services, but what is needed is a transparent,
responsible, and understandable governing structure that is devoid of bias and prejudice.

The health sector's effective governance is a vital basis for improving health. For UHC to be
realised, new collaborations and possibilities for interaction between state and non-state
actors will be required in the health sector. Countries will need increased capacity for applied
policy research and evaluation, as well as stronger platforms for effective intersectoral
initiatives. Improved health governance necessitates cross-national cooperation in areas such
as medical research, norms and standards, and communicable disease control.

The issues that India faces in higher education and research are real and significant, as this
study and other assessments reveal; they will not go away on their own, and they are not
accessible to simple and routine solutions. To be overcome, it appears that not only enormous
reorganisations in both the provision and utilisation of public and private resources are
required, but also profound and long-lasting transformations in institutional cultures both
inside and outside the country.

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1. www.digitalindia.gov.in
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4. Carnoy, M., & Dossani, R. (2013). Goals and governance of higher
education in India. Higher Education, 65(5), 595–612.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/23473514
5. Huss, R., Green, A., Sudarshan, H., Karpagam, S., Ramani, K.,
Tomson, G., & Gerein, N. (2011). Good governance and corruption in
the health sector: lessons from the Karnataka experience. Health Policy
and Planning, 26(6), 471–484. http://www.jstor.org/stable/45090768
6. Huss, R., Green, A., Sudarshan, H., Karpagam, S., Ramani, K.,
Tomson, G., & Gerein, N. (2011). Good governance and corruption in
the health sector: lessons from the Karnataka experience. Health Policy
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7. https://www.unescap.org/

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