S.No. | Topic | Notes Link |
---|---|---|
1. | Non – Governmental Organisations | Read Now |
2. | Right To Infromation (RTI) Act, 2005 | Read Now |
3. | Self – Help Gorups (SHGS) | Read Now |
4. | Transparency And Accountability In Governance | Read Now |
5. | Lokayukta | Read Now |
6. | Lokpal | Read Now |
7. | National Commission For Scheduled Castes | Read Now |
8. | National Commission For Scheduled Tribes | Read Now |
Non – Governmental Organisations
NON – GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS
According to the World Bank, “a Non – Governmental Organization (NGO) is a private organization that pursues activities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services, or undertake community development”. In other words NGOs are legally constituted organizations, operate independently from the government and are generally considered to be non – profit oriented groups who purse purposes of public interest
The primary objective of NGOs is to provide social justice, development and protect human rights. NGOs are generally funded totally or partly by governments and they maintain their non – governmental status by excluding government representatives from membership in the organization
In a democratic society, it is the state that has the ultimate responsibility for ushering development to its citizens. In India, through the progressive interpretation of the Constitution and its laws and policies, the scope of development has been significantly broadened to include not just economic progress for citizens, but also promotion of social justice, gender equity, inclusion, citizen’s awareness, empowerment and improved quality of life. To achieve this holistic vision of development, the state requires the constructive and collaborative engagement of the civil society in its various developmental activities and program. Non – Governmental organizations (NGOs) as the operational arm of the civil society therefore have an important role in the development processes.
India has a long tradition of social, service, social reform and voluntary agencies. NGOs emerged in India soon after Independence when mahatma Gandhi made a plea for dissolving the Indian National Congress ( the political party which came into power upon Independence) , and transforming it into a Lok Sevak Sangh (Public Service Organization ). This plea was, however, rejected nevertheless, it did not halt the formation of Non – Governmental programs on social and economical issues. These agencies organized handicrafts and village industries rural development programs, credit cooperatives, educational institutions, etc.
The second stage of growth of NGOs in India was around 1960 when many individuals noticed that the governmental programs seemed to be inadequate to deal with the deprived sections of India. These groups formed organizations that the governmental programs seemed to be inadequate to deal with the deprived sections of India. These groups formed organizations that worked on behalf of the poor, the landless, the tribals the bonded labourers, and many other social groups that were being discriminated against by the policies of the state and social structure. These grass roots organizations work at the micro – level and work with limited resources and lack of coordination. Since independence in 1947 until around 1980 there was little effort on the part of the Indian government. In 1980 however, with the sixth five year plan (1980 – 1985), the government identified new areas, in which NGOs as new actors could participate in development. These areas include.
This plan, nevertheless, was to become a part of a series. Under the seventh Five Year Plan (1985-1990) the Indian government visualised a more active role for voluntary organization to aid in making communities as self – reliant as possible. These groups were expected to show how village and indigenous resources could be used and how human resources, rural skills and local knowledge, grossly underutilized at present could be used for their situation and interaction with local people can be very effective in bringing change. Since they are able to address issues that governments are often not able to comprehend
In the Eight Five Year Plan, the importance of NGOs is further enhanced, paying particular attention to the role of these agencies as participants in rural appraisal for drawing up development plans at a very low cost and involving the rural communities. The plan document states, “A nation – wide network of NGOs will be created. In order to facilitate the working of this network three schemes relating to the working of this network , three schemes relating to the creation, replication, multiplication and consultancy development have been worked out by the Planning Commission”
Role of NGOs in Present Scenario
Today, India has a vigorous NGO sector. Although there has been no complete census of NGOs, it is estimated that about 25,000 to 30,000 are active in India. In fact as of 31st December , 1989, there were 12,313 NGOs registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India under the Foreign contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) 1976, furthermore, 726 NGOs are unregistered but under the prior permission category
One problem with NGOs in India, was NGOs anywhere else in the world has been the increasing dependency on governmental fund or donations from external (foreign) donors like the World Bank. This dependent relationship has resulted in a lack of flexibility on the part of NGOs to pick their mission and objectives since many are expected to perform certain tasks in return for funding. But, further still, it has also created structures that have become more bureaucratic in nature and, hence, less effective in development. Nevertheless, NGOs are here to stay and will continue to work in India on political, economical or social issues
National Policy on the Voluntary Sector 2007
The National Policy on the Voluntary Sector aims to provide an enabling environment for the voluntary sector and also make it accountable, so that VOs (voluntary Organisations) can play their constructive role in development activities effectively
The main objectives of the policy include.
Role of NGOs in Development
NGOs or voluntary Agencies have played an important role in providing welfare services to the vulnerable sections of the society, the poor, the wretched, the underprivileged and the deprived. The Reformation Movement of the 19th Century created in its trail quite a number of voluntary orgnaisations particularly for the welfare of women, children and also of the downtrodden. Even today, organizations working for the welfare of women and children are in existence.
The 1st Five Year Plan stated, “A major responsibility for organising activities in different fields of social welfare like the welfare of women and children social education, community development etc. falls naturally on private voluntary agency” Similar dependence on voluntary organizations for promotion the welfare Of the people, these organisations were considered more appropriate instruments for carrying out the task of reaching the people. These organisation were consider more appropriate instruments for carrying out the task of reaching the people because of their characteristics of flexibility, speed, humaneness and innovativeness
The important roles played by NGOs are stated below.
Participation
The most important role of these agencies is to stimulate active participation of the citizens in matters that concern them and their community. The importance of people’s participation as the key to all anti – poverty and social welfare programmes has been accepted official system is capable of it. These agencies are generally capable of providing linkage between the official programmes and the
beneficiaries.
NGOs try to involve the beneficiaries in decision – making, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the programmes. The NGOs, through their specific activities, come close to the beneficiaries and educate and train them in regard to their problems, the ways to solve these problems and the obstacles in the way of solving these problems. These agencies create the necessary awareness and develop a position outlook among the beneficiaries. In this way, they play the important role of consciousness raising, awakening, educating and development of the human beings.
Organising Beneficiaries
Apart from awakening and mobilising the community, Non – Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) play an important role in organising the beneficiaries. There have been repeated calls that the poor and the exploited should organise themselves and fight to ensure their rights. This is a call to break the unjust policies and to promote revolution change in the rural countryside and in the growing urban slums. The poor, are not capable of this on their own. It is these agencies that try to mobilise and organise the poor so that by applying pressure, the quality of this service and the attitude of the government functionaries may be made to improve.
Facilitating Various Services
The NGOs play an important role in socio – economic development by way of providing certain services such as building up of infrastructure in depressed or backward areas, providing tractor – hiring services, providing or facilitating credit, supply of seeds, fertilizers, technical know how etc. a number of such agencies are playing an important role in training a cadre of grass roots village workers with the induction of professional expertise and scientific knowledge so that the poor (particularly the rural poor) may learn to depend on themselves and not depend on intermediaries. In this regard, a variety of vocational training programmes have been introduced even for the newly skilled and semi – skilled workers
Supplementing Government Efforts
Traditionally, it is the voluntary agencies in India, which have been doing a lot in the field of social welfare in one or the other way. Even after 40 years of planned development, the government look up to these agencies for help in the implementation of various programmes of social welfare, rural development etc. however, to expect these organizations to replace even partly, the official machinery engaged in development is expecting too much from them. Still, there is no doubt that they play a supportive and complementary role. Though, the NGOs supplement government efforts, they do so without compromising on strategies, policies and methods. They may set an example in the field of flexibility, initiative, low – cost techniques, simple or effective methods and the ability to improvements.
Checking Government Actions
The NGOs have a very important function in highlighting the legislative loopholes in social legislation, and in ensuring that legislation like the Minimum Wages Act, the Abolition of Bonded Labour Act the Protection of Civil Right Act, Land Ceiling legislation etc. are being properly adhered to. However, only politically uncommitted and freely operation agencies can perform this function as repeated studies indicate.
Government agencies are the real organisers, mobilisers and change agents for the poor. They are the eyes and ears of people in certain areas and give reliable feedback and take the voice of the people to the planners and policy – makers. They activate the system and make it moved and respond to the felt needs of the people
They highlighted the legislative loopholes built into the land ceiling legislation. Through these, a whole troop of party functionaries got their
Ownership/tenancy rights registered and helped the informal tenants in getting their tenancies regularised in village records and by the tehsildras by identifying benami transfers of surplus lands. They publish such violations of ceiling laws in the villages and blocks with the name of the land owners involved and other details of the violators being made public. Thus, the non – governmental agencies have an important function of over – seeing the implementation of the legislations. NGOs are playing a leadership role in a number of areas.
Role of NGOs and Its Relationship with Government
The role of NGO’s and its relationship with government is stated in the points below :
Problem and Limitations of NGOs
The problems and limitations of NGOs are stated in the points below:
Lack of Financial Resources
In discharging their functions, NGOs face a number of limitations and problems. One of the topmost problem of the NGOs is the lack of financial resources. They depend upon grants and contributions, but most of them find it difficult to get regular grants from the government and to raise fund from the business community. Also related with this is the problem for misuse of funds. The money meant for welfare activities generally does not reach the beneficiaries fully. This is mainly due to the mismanagement and misappropriation of funds
Outreach and Concentration
There has been a mushroom growth of NGOs/voluntary organizations, but none of them has a nationwide outreach or network reaching out to every State and UT and certainly not to every district, block or village in the country. This poses a problem for the government in depending upon these agencies. Another weakness of these agencies is their improper concentration. The number of agencies which are located in the rural areas where the major job has to be done is very limited
A study of the comprehensive list of voluntary agencies maintained by the Union Ministry of Social Welfare and the Central Social Welfare Board shows that most of them are headquartered in urban locales. They go out to work in the villages, which bring in an appearance of ‘Good Samaritan’ like charity to their work in the rural areas.
Lack of Coordination
Coordination and cooperation involves mutual consent of the agencies. Although, coordination between voluntary agencies and state agencies is easy, coordination among the voluntary agencies themselves presents some problems. These problems are (a) There is overlapping of efforts in certain areas: (b) Because of the mushroom growth of voluntary agencies and the political patronage to some, it is often difficult to bring them on a common forum, (c) Each voluntary agency has its own sources of funds. It does not like to pool or share its resources with other agencies; and (d) There are mutual jealousies among the voluntary agencies which make coordination still more difficult.
Mutual Distrust Among Agencies
It has been found that except for the coordination between NGOs and the Ministry of Social Welfare, there is mutual distrust between these agencies and other ministries/departments, which makes joint planning and delivery of goods and services impossible. Health, Education, Rural Development Departments both at the Union and State levels. Regard these agencies as unwelcome intruders into their terrain. Whereas it is difficult to achieve proper coordination between non – governmental agencies and some governmetal agencies, on the other hand, a number of governmental agencies interfere in the working of the non – governmental agencies. Voluntary agencies resent the governmental grants which are accompanied by controls and interference.
Hostility of Bureaucrats
The bureaucracy is generally hostile to the NGOs. It can be safely predicted that a truly voluntary sector is not likely to emerge and grow in India. The sector would consist of the so – called voluntary agencies which are simply agents of the local oligarchy and/ or the bureaucracy and remains another channel for the misappropriation of funds
Paucity of Trained and Committed Workers
Shortage of trained and committed workers has been the paramount problem of all the countries. Low salaries, inadequate security, poor personnel practices and competing job opportunities in industry and business for the people with social work skills and low prestige are cited as the major causes for the shortage of trained and committed workers
The pattern of administration of major NGOs shows that the Governing Board members have high social, economic and political status. This is often, so because the agency depends upon them for the financial support that they can give or get from the community and from government subsidies. Conspicuous by their absence are the representatives of the client systems who are the beneficiaries and consumers of the services. The interpretation of needs and problems is more often than not done by the staff, whose values and competence can, at times, be questioned especially when they are untrained or semi – trained. For the agency to serve its purpose, there is a need to bridge the social distance between the elite board members and the clients.
Right To Infromation (RTI) Act, 2005
RIGHT TO INFROMATION(RTI) ACT, 2005
The citizens are the centre of democratic governance. Every citizen has right to participate in public life, governance and society. Right to Information (RTI)is derived from the Fundamental Right of ‘Freedom of Speech and Expression’under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution
The Right to Information Act has been enacted on 12th October, 2005 which marks a significant shift in the Indian democracy and started a new eraof empowerment of common man in India. It has been seen as the key to strengthening participatory democracy and ushering in people centered governance. It is a path – breaking legislation which signals the march from darkness of secrecy to the dawn of transparency
Right to Information opens up government’s records to public inspection, the rebyarming citizens with a vital tool to inform them about what the government doesand how effectively. Thus , it makes the government more accountable.Transparency in government organisation makes them function in more objective manner there by enhancing predictability. Information about functioning ofgovernment also enables citizens to participate in the governance process effectively
In a fundamental sense, Right to Information is a basic necessity of good governanceor ‘master key’ to good governance. Under the RTI Act, a Public Information Officer (PIO) is appointed in every office and department, who receive application related to RTI and responsible for providing relevant informationto applicants. It is the responsibility of the PIO to transfer and forward theletter to the concerned persons or authority within 5 working days. There isalso the provision of Assistant Public Information officers (APIOs) in everypublic office to receive RTI request.
Salient Features of Right to Information Act, 2005
Information Exclusion From RTI Act
Under Section – 8 of RTI Act, information disclosure which affects the sovereigntyand integrity of India, security etc are exempted from disclosure. Any informations forbidden to publish by court or tribunals are also exempted. Information related to secrecy of trade and commerce, intellectual property,confidence from foreign government are also exempted. The information relatedto central intelligence and security agencies, specified in the 2ndSchedule like Intelligence Bureau (IB), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW),Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Income Tax, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Directorate of Enforcement, Narcotics Control Bureau, Avionics,Research Centre, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) etc are also exempted.
Commissions of RTI
Important Commission associated with RTI are Central Information Commission (CIC) and State Information Commission (SIC). These are discussed as under.
Central Information Commission (CIC)
topromote more transparency and accountability in functioning and the decision –making procedures and power sharing, the Government of India constituted the office of central Information commission (CIC) under the RTI, Act, 2005. the commission consists of a chief Information commissioner and not more than 10 Information Commissioners
The Chief Information Commissioner is appointed by a committee headed by Prime Minister, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and cabinet Minister nominated by Prime Minister. The person appointed must have the knowledge of different spheres of life, social service,a person of repute and is not attached with any post or political parties. The tenure of his service is 5 years from the date of appointment or till the 65years of age. He is not eligible for re - appointment. The Central Information Commissioner has the power toreceive complain from any person, whose petition has been rejected by. PIO orif informations are not delivered during the stipulated time period. He has also power to order inquiry on reasonable grounds. He will have the power of civil court. He has power to make necessary charges to the practice relating to management maintenance and destruction of records. He can seek annual reportthe public authority. He can also impose penalties under this law
Order of CIC
On 16th March, 2015, the CIC passed an order which in effect said that it was helpless in the matter and would not impose penalty or reinforce compliance of its 2013 order. Earlier, it had issued summons on three occasionsto the parties concerned to present their arguments, all of which were ignored.The new order says that penalty can only be imposed on the PIO and since the political parties have not appointed them no action can be taken. Faced withthe only such case of non – compliance in the RTI’s history, the CIC suggestedthat further action be taken by the Union government or by courts
Petitioner’s Reactionsof CIC Order
The petitioners called the CIC move “an abdication of its responsibilities”. “The CIC is not a court, but a quasi –judicial body. It is expected to follow not the letter of the law, but thespirit of the law. Following this, the Act clearly gives the power to awardpenalty and compensation”. The CIC’s verdict will have far – reaching,dangerous consequences when bodies declared by the CIC as public authoritieswill no more care to obey the CIC’s directions. Thus, giving a final blow tothe RTI Act by none other than CIC itself
CIC order of June 13
In an appeal made by Subhash Aggarwal to the CIC on refusal by political partiesto share information sought under RTI, the CIC held that by all accounts they were public bodies and the sixnational political parties needed to provide information as sought. The logicbehind it was that :
Counter Arguments of the Order
The day the order was announced, everyone knew that most political parties would come together to end the damage done by the CIC. Apart form communist Party of India (CPI), no other party implemented the CIC order even though the deadline had passed. The government then decided to amend the RTI Act to negate the order of CIC to bring it under the ambit of RTI Act. The major points of discord are:
State Information Commission (SIC)
The State Information Commission are constituted by the State Government through a Gazette notification. It comprise of one State Chief Information Commissioner(SCIC) and not more than 10 State information commissioners, to be appointed bythe Governor. The Commission exercises its powers without being subjected toany other authority
The appointments are made on the basis of the recommendations of a committee headedby the Chief Minister and including the leader of opposition in the Legislative Assembly and one Cabinet Minister nominated by the Chief Minister. The qualifications for the Central Information Commission. The salary of the State Information commissioner is the same as that of the Chief Secretary of the State Government
The SIC has a duty to receive complaints form any person :
This SCIs have the powers of a civil court, including
Achievements of RTI Act
Recommendations of Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) 2006
The Second Administrative Reforms Commission in its first report (ARC)analysed andgave recommendations on the freedom of information as the Right to Information Act
The main recommendations of the ARC – 2 with regard to the RTI Act were
Critical Evaluation of RTI
Though the Right to Information has made a major change in the administrative structure of India, there are some issues that needs to be addressed.
These are discussed below :
RTI Applicant not a Consumer
The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), the apex consumer forum, has held that “no complaint by a person alleging deficiency in services rendered by the CPIO/ PIO is maintainable before a Consumer Forum. “ A person seeking information under the Right to Information Act cannot be said to be aconsumer via – a – vis the Public authority concerned or the CPIO/PIO nominated by it. The RTI Act is complete code in itself, which provides an adequate andeffective remedy to the person aggrieved from any decision/ inaction/ act/omission or misconduct of a CPIO/PIO. The NCDRC standard that it is not necessary that the legislature has to provide for grant of compensation inevery case of deficiency in the services rendered to a consumer
10 Years of RTI Act
Ten years after the Right to Information Act was passed in 2005, its implementation remains inefficient and transparency and accountability seem to be under threat in India. The following points state that fact.
Poor Record Keeping
The problems posed by missing files in government offices are acute. The information sought by citizens can be provided only if the records are maintained properly. If the RTI has to succeed, then the Public Records Actmust be implemented
Lack of Infrastructure and Staff
The reis adequate infrastructure and staff for running information commissions. Dueto inadequate staff , information commission are unable to resolve public grievance timely
Dilution of Supplementary Law
In the last decade, the RTI has managed to achieve a silent citizen’s movement for government accountability across the country. The Right to Information Assessment and Advocacy Group (RAAG) report founded that on an average, 4 – 5million applications are filed under the Act every year. But this has not been without its negative consequences. Forty activists who had demanded crucial information , with the potential to expose corruption within the government,had been killed. This has necessitated amendmentin supplementary laws such as whistle blower protection laws to ensure protection for information activists. But the whistle blowers Protection(Amendment), Bill 2015 has renewed concerns regarding the vulnerability of information seekers making disclosures in the public interest. The amendments do not provide immunity to whistle blowers, making them liable of prosecution under the official secrets Act. The bill completely dilutes the provisions ofhe earlier law removing everything exempted under Section 8(1) of the RTI Act from within the ambit of whistle blowing
Consequences of Inefficient / Implementation
inefficient implementation has delayed the settlement of information appeals. On October 2014 report brought out by the RAAG showed a waiting period of up to 60 years in Madhya Pradesh and up to 18 years in West Bengal. It was calculated on the basis of current rates of pendency in information commissions. In less than 3%of cases, penalties were imposed on government departments denying information sought
Conclusion
The culture of transparency brought about by the RTI Act in the past decade has now made it easier for citizens to access parliamentary proceedings online, and track proceeding of various States legislatures. That is why we need to continue to empower ordinary people with tools like the RTI so that they can hold those holding political power accountable
Self – Help Groups (SHGs)
SELF – HELP Groups (SHGs)
SHGs are informal associations of people who choose to come together to find ways to improve their living conditions. They help to build social capital among the poor, especially women. Such groups work as a collective guarantee system for members who propose to borrow from organised sources. Consequently, Self – Help Groups have emerged as the most effective mechanism for delivery of micro – finance services to the poor. The range of financial services may include products such as deposits, loans, money transfer and insurance.
The most important functions of a Self – Help Groups (SHGs) are
Role and Impact of SHGs
Development of SHGs in India
The development of SHGs in different decades is given below :
In 1950’s
The first organised initiative in the direction was taken in Gujarat in 1954, when the Textile Labour Association of Ahemdabad formed its women’s wing to organise the women belonging to households of mill workers in order to train them in primary skills like sewing, knitting embroidery, type setting and stenography etc.
In 1970’s
In 1972, it was given a more systematised structure when Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) was formed as a trade union under the leadership of Ela Bhatt. She organised women workers such as hawkers, vendors, home based operator like weavers, papad makers, small producers like cattle – rearers, salt workers, cooks and vendors with the primary objective of :
In 1980’s
In the 1980s, Myrada, a Karnataka based non – governmental organization, promoted several locally formed groups to enable the members to secure credit collectively and use it along with their own savings for activities, which could provide them economically gainful employment. Small group formations at the local level were initiated in Tamil Nadu and Kerala through the Tamil Nadu Women in Agriculture Programme (TANWA) 1986, Participatory Poverty Reduction programme of Kerala, (kudumbashree) 1995 and Tamil Nadu Women’s Development Project (TNWDP) 1989. these initiatives gave a firm footing of SHG movement in these States.
In the 1980s, Myrada, a Karnataka based non – governmental organization, promoted several locally formed groups to enable the members to secure credit collectively and use it along with their own savings for activities, which could provide them economically gainful employment. Small group formations at the local level were initiated in Tamil Nadu and Kerala through the Tamil Nadu Women in Agriculture Programme (TANWA) 1986, Participatory Poverty Reduction programme of Kerala, (kudumbashree) 1995 and Tamil Nadu Women’s Development Project (TNWDP) 1989. these initiatives gave a firm footing of SHG movement in these States.
Today, around 44% of the total bank - linked SHGs of the country are in 4 Southern State of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.
The positive experience gained from the above programmes has led to emergence of a very strong consensus that the twin concepts
Efforts have been made almost in all parts of the country to adopt this model as a necessary component of the poverty alleviation programmes
The SHGs – Bank linkage programme was started as a Test Project in 1989 when NABARD, the Apex Rural Development Bank in the country, sanctioned Rs. 10 lakhs to Mysore Resettlement and Development Agency (MYRADA) as seed money assistance for forming credit management groups. Ministry of Rural Development also provided financial support to Professional Assistance to Development Action (PRADAN) to establish SHGs in some rural pockets of Rajasthan
1990’s and Onwards
On the basis of these experiences, a full – fledged project involving a partnership among SHGs, Banks and NGOs was launched by NABARD in 1992. NABARD’s Corporate Mission was to make available micro – finance services to 20 million poor households
In 1995, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) streamlined the credit delivery procedure by issuing a set of guidelines to Commercial Banks. It enabled SHGs to open bank accounts. The scheme was further strengthened by a standing commitment given by NABARD to provide refinance and promotional support to banks for credit payment under the SHG – Bank Linkage Programme.
In the initial years, the progress in the programme was slow; around 33000 groups could be credit – linked during the period 1992 – 99. But, there after, the programme grew rapidly and the number of SHGs financed increased to more than 7 lakhs in 2010. cumulatively, 33 million poor house holds in the country have been able to secure access to micro – finance from the formal banking system.
NABARD, in association with Deutsche Gesells chaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), conducted a study in 2005, on the comparative performance of SHG – Bank linkage progrmme vis – a – vis other modes of priority sector lending. It revealed that the 40 million families and 205 million people having been covered under this programme and the cumulative loan figure standing at around 18000 crores appear to be impressive
Merits of SHGs
Limitations SHGs
Success Story of Kudumbashree
Kudumbshree is a female – oriented, community based, Poverty Reduction Project of the Government of Kerala, launched in May 1998. This mission aimed to eradicate absolute poverty in 10 years, through concerted community action under the leadership of local governments
The primary objectives of the project are :
Improvement for SHGs
SHG – Bank Linkage Programme
Model II has emerged as the most popular model under the SBLP programme. Commercial banks, co – operative banks and the regional rural banks have been actively participating in the SBLP
In 2009 – 10, 1.59 million new SHGs were credit – linked with banks and bank loan of Rs. 14,453 crore (including repeat laon) was disbursed to these SHGs. Further, at the end in March 2010, 6.95 million SHGs maintained savings accounts with banks
On an average the amount of savings per SHG was 8,915 as compared to the amount of credit outstanding of 57,795 in 2009 – 10. while there was a continued increase in the amount of credit outstanding per SHG, there was a fluctuating trend in the amount of saving per SHG in the recent years
Transparency And Accountability In Governance
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN GOVERNANCE
Transparency and Accountability have emerged over the past decade as key ways to address both developmental failures and democratic deficits. In the developmental and aid context, the argument is that through greater accountability the leaky pipes of corruption and inefficiency will be repaired , aid and public spending will be channelled more effectively and development initiatives will produce greater and more visible results. For scholars and practitioners of democracy, following the twentieth century wave of democratisation it is time of democracy to ‘deliver the goods’ especially in terms of material outcomes, and democratic accountability can help it to do so.
For many Non – Government Organization s (NGOs) and social movements, demanding and securing accountability is a path to people’ s empowerment, or at least to enhanced effectiveness in responding to the needs and voices of those they claim to serve
development, democracy and empowerment are obstructed; the argument goes, by a series of accountability failures. The traditional ways of delivering political and bureaucratic accountability , such as intra government controls or elections are increasingly found to be limited in scope. Administrative bottlenecks weak incentives or corruption in state – centered political and bureaucratic accountability
mechanisms restrict their effectiveness, particularly from the perspective of the poor and Marginalised people who need accountability the most, but who lack the means to work round such obstacles (world Bank,2004)
In response to the inadequacy of traditional political and brureucratic forms of accountability – also refereed to as state – side, supply – side or institutional – an array of mechanisms and approaches has emerged in which ciitzens can hold states to account in ways other then elections and bureaucratic procedures. Supplanting or supplementing traditional forms, these ‘demand – side’ initiatives are led by citizens and social actors who engage with more powerful actors located ether within the state or in private sector entities contracted by the state.
Variously termed ‘social’ , citizen – led or ‘demand – side’ accountability, this emerging field combines initiative designed to improve transparency and initiatives designed to improve transparency and access to information with other ways of holding to account the state and its agents (often, for example, private sector service providers)
By general consensus, accountability ideally involves both answerability – the responsibility of duty – bearers to provide information and justification about their actions – and enforceability – the possibility of penalties or consequences for failing to answer accountability claims. In fact, much of what we call accountability. While citizen – led or public initiatives often involve ‘soft’ per or reputational pressure, they rarely involve strong enforceability
Conceptual debates on accountability and transparency range far and wide, but our focus here is no the newer and closely related concepts of ‘citizen – led’ and social’ accountability. Bothe are subject to some terminological looseness.
Social accountability can be defined as an approach towards building accountability that relies on civic engagement, i.e. in which it is ordinary citizens and / or civil society organisations who participate directly or indirectly in exacting accountability. Mechanisms of social accountability can be initiated and supported by the state and citizens or both but very often they are demand – driven and operate from the bottom – up
Summary of Social Accountability
Social accountability as a means to certain ends can be summarised by the following :
Transparency in Information
Other claims focus on transparency. Access to information via transparency initiatives is seen as a right, an end in itself and also a ‘leverage right’ capable of delivering further ends. Increased transparency in state decision – making can facilitate greater accountability to citizens. However the right to information is not accountability in itself but is instrumental to it, and transparency does not automatically produce accountability but is a necessary but insufficient condition for it; certain types of transparency can generate certain types of accountability under certain condition
Finally some of the claim focus on the relationships between transparency, accountability and participation. Some work suggests that thse connections between transparency, accountability and participation might be correlations rather than solid causal links. A recent study of the outcomes of citizen engagement show that participation does have an impact – usually but not always a positive on the measurable democratic and developmental outcomes arising form citizen engagement
Lokayukta
LOKAYUKTA
In the wake of the recommendations of the first ARC Commission, many State Government enacted legislation to constitute the Loakyukta to investigate allegations or grievances arising out of the conduct of public servants. These servants included political executives, legislators, officers of the State Government local bodies, public enterprises and other instrumentalities of government including co – operative societies and universities. By virtue of such legislation, a member of the public can file specific allegations with the Lokayukta against any public servant for enquiry
It is also open to the Lokayukta to initiate self inquiry into the conduct of public servants. The lokayukta is generally retired judge of the high court or the Supreme Court. He is normally appointed for a five year term on the basis of a joint decision involving the Chief Minister, the Chief Justice, the Speaker of the House and leader of the Opposition
Status of Lokayukta
In many states the Lokayukta does not have an independent investigating authority at its disposal. Therefore, it is dependent on government agencies to carry forward its investigations. The Maharashtra and Odisha Lokayukta assume more the character of a grievance redressal organisation rather than an Ombudsman for cases of corruption
The institution of Lokayukta was established first in Maharashtra in 1971. although, Odisha had passed the Act in this regard in 1970, it came into force only in 1983. Till 2013,21 States and I Union Territory (Delhi) established the institution of Lokayuktas
Structural Variation of Lokayukta
The Structure of the Lokayukta is not same in all the states. Some states like Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra have created the Lokayukta as – well – as up a Lokpal. While some other states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh have created only the Lokaykta. Still there are other states like Punjab and Odisha that have designed official as Lokpal
Lokpal
LOKPAL
Lokpal is synonymous to the institution of Ombudsman existing in the Scandinavian countries. The office of the Ombudsman originated in Sweden in 1809 and has been adopted by many nations. The Swedish word Ombudsman means ‘a procurator or agent of civil affairs’, and may be interpreted as ‘ the people ‘s advocate’. Ombudsman is a government official who investigates citizens’ complaints against the high government functionaries. Though appointed by the legislature, he is an independent functionary, independent of all the three organs of the state, but reports to the legislature
The ombudsman can look into allegations of corruption as well as mal – administration. The first Administrative Reforms Commission had recommended the establishment of the institution of Lokpal. The Lokpal is supposed to be a watchdog over the integrity of Ministers and the Members of Parliament
Recommendations of 2nd ARC for Lokpal
The second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) set – up in 2005 recommended that the Lokpal be given a constitutional status and renamed as ‘Rashtriya Lokayukta’. In its fourth report, the Commission recommended steps to bring about greater transparency and accountability in governance at all levels and root out corruption
For enforcing ethical conduct in high places, the report recommended that the Rashtriya Lokayukta’s jurisdiction be extended to all Union Ministers (except the Prime Minister), all Chief Minister, all those holding public office equivalent to the rank of a Union Minister and MPs. The Rashtriya Lokayukta should be headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge, have an eminent jurist as member and the Central Vigilance Commissioner as the ex – officio member
The Lokpal and Lokayukts Act, 2013
The historic Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 was passed by Indian Parliament paving the way for establishment of Lokpal to fight corruption in public offices and ensure accountability on the part of public officials. It also included the Prime Minister but with some safeguards
According to Act, the following recommendations are there :
National Commission For Scheduled Castes
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED CASTES
Article 338 of the Indian Constitution had provision that there shall be a commission for the Scheduled Castes to be known as the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes. The Commission shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice – Chairperson and three other members. The conditions of service and tenure of office of the Chairperson, Vice – Chairperson and other appointed members shall be such as the President may by rule determine. The chairperson, Vice – chairperson and other members of the Commission shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. The commission shall have the power to regulate its own procedure
Functions of the Commission
It shall be the duty of the Commission :
Power of the Commission
The Commission while investigating any matter or inquiring into any complaint, shall have all the powers of a civil court trying a suit and in particular in respect of the following matters :
National Commission For Scheduled Tribes
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED TRIBES
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was established by amending Article 338 and inserting a new Article 338A in the Constitution through the 89 th Constitution Amendment Act, 2003. By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was replaced by two separate commissions w.e.f. 19th February,2004.
These are :
The term of office of Chairperson, Vice – Chairperson and each member is 3 years from the date of assumption of charge. The Chairperson has been given the rank of Union Cabinet Minister and the Vice – Chairperson that of a Minister of State and other members have the ranks of a Secretary to the Government of India. The first National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was constituted in March, 2004
Functions of the Commission
The improvement Function of the Commission are:
Other Functions
Commission would also discharge the following other functions in relation to the protection, welfare and development and advancement of the Scheduled Tribes.:
Power of the Commission
For investigation and inquiry, the Commission is vested with powers of a civil court having authority to :