The critical challenge to keep India's growth story intact
is providing good governance.There may be several challenges to acceleration of
growth and identification of these areas and drawing up plans to address them
is relatively an easy part.But what is infinitely more difficult is the
translation of those policies into action,where the criticality of good
governance steps in.It is the quality of governance that separates success and
failure in economic development.
Besides other evils,corruption and its proliferation are
byproducts of no governance and bad governance.Our governance record in poverty
alleviation programmes,development of tribal and backward areas,public
distribution system,has been disastrous,which has led to various internal
disturbances,public agony and mistrust in the system.With 17% of the worlds
population,India accounts for less than 2% of global GDP and 1% of world
trade.Hence,we currently stand at the threshold of a unique opportunity
regarding governance and public management reform.
the following are key areas in governance:
Governance by the government
Corporate governance
Electoral reforms
Compliance in democracy
GOVERNANCE BY THE
GOVERNMENT
We have a reasonably vibrant democracy and a civil
society,which enables the procedural aspects of democratic governance to be
largely sustainable.However,the substantiative aspect is mostly elusive,with
public institutions being inaccessible to a large section of the populace.
Despite a promising institutional context,Indias structures
of governance have remained ineffectual in fulfilling the basic needs of her
citizens.The biggest danger for the country comes when the governance by the
government shows signs of crumbling.
following are key issues:
·
Administrative reforms to ensure that a
transparent structure is in place for good governance
·
Decentralization of power with accountability
·
Cutting down the various strata of approval
process in our present bureaucratic set up
·
Optimizing the flowchart of file movement for
fast decision making and minimizing corruption
·
An effective Lokpal
·
Proper use of technology to expedite decision
making and to reach the last mile with the benefits of governance by the
government.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
A firm commitment and adoption of ethical practices by an
organization across its entire value chain and in all of its dealings with its
wide range of stakeholders is what good corporate governance is all about.This
can be achieved by readily embracing certain checks and balances.In light of
the recent events in India,which have put the spotlight on corporate governance
practices of Indian companies
There is a need for any regulatory changes
corporate governance has been reduced to well draft reports
on paper
the time has arrived to vet companies on corporate ethics
rather than corporate governance
ELECTORAL REFORMS
The central problem of democracy is how we manage our
elections in our present political system.
Over the years,the way democracy has been maligned due to
the manner it has been practised by several practitioners and political
parties.Corruption of unthinkable proportions has crept in into political
parties and elections.The issues of imminent importance include:
·
Transparent financial accounts of political
parties
·
Transparent funding of elections
·
Political funding only in white and the information
should be made public by the receiver and the donor
·
Election spending limit to be increased to
rational levels to encourage political parties to disclose
·
Flexible limit of election spending depending on
the constituency
·
Right to reject and right to recall need a
thorough debate before arriving at a final conclusion.
COMPLIANCE IN OUR
DEMOCRACY
IS IT TRUST-BASED OR
ENFORCED ?
A functional democracy requires that the law of the land be
complied with.On the other hand,the laws need to be such that they are
compliable by the majority of the citizens.Trust is a valuable social asset
that forms the basis of democracy.It is true that while taxes are the price we
pay for civilization - civilization cannot sustain itself without trust.
Way ahead
Any law which is not followed by the majority should be
scrapped,to be replaced by a rational compliable law
Non-compliable laws are more profound when the state does
not trust its citizens and likes to have these laws as pretext to nail whom it
wants to
It only builds distrust among the citizens and the
government
The tax system needs to be more trust based for better
compliance
The need is to create an encompassing environment where
every one pays tax voluntarily
Strive towards voluntary compliance and our laws should
encourage it more since voluntary compliance emanates from a trust based
taxation regime
The system should guarantee each tax payer certain basic
rights and respect,which are internationally recognized
Trust your citizen,and if he betrays your trust,punishment
should be certain and exemplary.
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