Friends,
Trust between governments and citizens is essential for good governance and participation. In order to build trust, governments need to communicate in a transparant way about past and future decisions and actions. Governments however, should not only inform but also involve citizens. The ideas and opinions that they put forward in policy-making and implementation processes, provide valuable input for improving the quality of local policies and services.
Is there a democratic deficit and what can be done to improve democratic governance in India ? I agree that bureaucratic reforms, electoral reforms, etc. are very important. Primary issue in "democratic deficit" is citizen's involvement in governance and effective self-governing institutions at the grass roots.
The over-centralized administration is a colonial legacy. Institutions of self-governance envisaged in Article 243 of the Constitution of India (1950) have not become effective, despite 73rd. and 74th. amendments. (1992) It is a political reality that persons holding power (politicians or bureaucrats) are against effective decentralisation; no one is interested in allowing power ( with all its connotations) to slip from their hands.
Democratic deficit would be reduced with the rising level of literacy and awareness of rights (RTI,RTE,etc.). There is need for sustained pressure on the Government to reduce centralisation and devolve power to self-governing local institutions. Disclosure and dissemination of information is vital for the growth of democratic institutions.
Dhirendra Krishna
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--- In rti4empowerment@yahoogroups.com, "ajayshooda" <ajayshooda@...> wrote:
>
> I am not sure why we need to compare India to Egypt or Hazare to Gandhi or any x to any y. Except for the past ruler & sons being in jail , no real democracy has come to Egypt & there too like Pakistan army will be forever powerful . Egypt still has to battle the army & the possibility of the Islamics taking over.
>
> If Hong Kong , Singapore & even Indonesia can curb corruption by
> bringing in similar legislation As our envisaged JLP Bill , why cant we succeed here too ? As the rot is spread all around to institutions that were supposed to serve the citizens & run the country as envisaged in the constitution , we need corrective action to restore the checks & balances long gone awry .
>
> We need a number of reforms to take place in the next few years to become a true functional democracy . We need bureaucratic reforms to make the bureaucracy efficient & accountable . We need a meritocracy not a bureaucracy to run the country as they virtually run every department , ministry , cooperatives & PSU , are enjoying top positions wherever the the government has a say or ownership . They spend our tax money or decide how it is spend. We need to see returns.
>
> We need police reforms, again to make the police more accessible ,
> efficient & accountable to ordinary public . Right now an average
> citizen can hardly expect to be treated with respect by police who are
> seen as lawless , extorting bullies. Police is now known for its
> arrogance, shoddy investigation & derailment of justice hand in glove
> with the powerful & criminals.
>
> We need to bring our laws up to the standard of the best anywhere . We
> need judicial reforms to prevent mishaps of justice like happened/ is
> happening in case of Jessica Lal , Ruchika Gherotra , Binayak Sen &
> may others where either the powerful , criminals & even the
> government has been able way laid justice to the detriment of
> ordinary citizens.
>
> We need electoral reforms so that corruption & black money does not
> play a part in the elections. We need to ensure that press & voters
> cant be bought . That a party with just 20% of the total eligible
> electorate does not rule as 80% have not voted for it or voted against
> it . Foremost we need honest candidates with no criminal records .
> And we need to vote " None of the above" if we don't like any of
> them & "Right to Recall" if we find we have voted for the wrong
> person .
>
> We need to plug all the loop holes the corrupt ruling mafia is using
> today to deny us democracy . We need to tell them that the game is
> over for them .
>
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