Introduction
In addition to the end result, good governance is evaluated based on how choices are made, how transparent the process is, and how much engagement it permits. According to the Second Administrative Reforms Commission, effective governance combines accountability, equity, and efficiency—all of which are influenced by the decision-making process.
Governance as a Process
The Right to Information Act of 2005 emphasizes the importance of open and transparent decision-making. Likewise, the Digital India Mission’s e-governance programs re-engineer procedures to lessen human discretion, stop corruption, and increase public confidence. The significance of equitable and efficient procedures is demonstrated by the implementation of digital grievance portals, Aadhaar-based identification, and direct benefit transfers.
Citizen Participation and Accountability
By bringing decision-making closer to the people, the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments formalized grassroots participation. Kerala’s MGNREGA social audits and participatory budgeting demonstrate how good governance takes on significance when it involves everyone in the process, not just top bureaucrats.
Civil Service and Ethical Processes
In order to guarantee that administrators respect constitutional principles when making judgments, recent civil service reforms also emphasize competency-based hiring and ethics training. Processes must be fair and honest since biased or opaque decision-making undermines the legitimacy of the results.
Conclusion
Reforms such as RTI, e-government, decentralization, and competency-based bureaucracy in modern India demonstrate that governance cannot be evaluated just on the basis of results. Transparent, inclusive, and accountable processes are the foundation of sustainable legitimacy, demonstrating that effective governance is as much about the process as the final goal.
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About the Author: Jyoti Verma |