SHIKHAR Mains 2023, Day 37 Model Answer English

Q1. ई-शासन के महत्व पर चर्चा कीजिए। ई-शासन को मजबूत करने के लिए उत्तर प्रदेश राज्य सरकार की विभिन्न पहलों को सूचीबद्ध कीजिए|

Discuss the significance of e-governance. Enlist various Uttar Pradesh state government initiatives to strengthen e-governance.

Approach- 

• Give the definition of e-governance in introduction. 

• Then highlight the significance of e-governance. 

• List out the e-governance initiatives of Uttar Pradesh government. 

• Conclude with emphasizing of the importance of e-governance in citizen centric governance. 

Answer- 

According to the World Bank, “E-Governance refers to the use by government agencies of information technologies (such as Wide Area Networks, the Internet, and mobile computing) that have the ability to transform relations with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government”. These technologies can serve a variety of different ends:

• better delivery of government services to citizens

• improved interactions with business and industry

• citizen empowerment through access to information or more efficient government management

Significance of e-governance- 

• The resulting benefits can be less corruption, increased transparency, greater convenience, revenue growth, and/or cost reductions. E- Governance is method to transform the the existing government and brings in SMART Governance viz:

• S - Simple: Simplification of rules and procedures of Government making it user-friendly.

• M-Moral: Infusing ethics and morals into officers again since anti-corruption and vigilance agencies improving.

• A- Accountable: ICT helps set standards of performance and efficiently measures it.

• R- Responsive: Efficient service delivery and government that is in tune with the people.

• T - Transparent: Information confined to secrecy is out in the public domain bringing equity and rule of law in public agencies.

• Fast, Convenient and Cost Effective Service Delivery

• Transparency, Accountability and Reduced Corruption

• Expanded Reach of Governance- Expansion of telephone network, rapid strides in mobile telephony, spread of internet and strengthening of other communications infrastructure would facilitate delivery of number of public services

• Empowering people through information

• Improve interface with Business and Industry

E-governance initiatives of Uttar Pradesh Government- 

There are recommendations of Second ARC regarding e-governance such as Building a Congenial Environment, Business Process Re-engineering, Capacity Building and Creating Awareness, Developing, Technological Solutions, Monitoring and Evaluation, Public-Private Partnership (PPP), etc. Keeping this in mind, the Government of Uttar Pradesh has taken the above mentioned important steps in relation to e-governance so that Sabka Saath and Sabka Vikas and inclusive development can be ensured.

Q2. गैर सरकारी संगठन से क्या आशय है ? जनकल्याण के संदर्भ में इनकी भूमिका को बताते हुए इनसे जुड़ी चुनौतियों की भी चर्चा कीजिये|

What do you understand by Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs)? While explaining their role in the context of public welfare, also discuss the challenges associated with them.   (12 Marks)

Approach -

• In introduction define NGO.

• Next discuss their importance in the context of public welfare.

• Further list the concerns related to them.

• Conclude the answer with forward looking approach.

Answer :-

Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) refers to a private organization that undertakes activities for alleviating the sufferings of the people, promoting the interests of the poor, protecting the environment, providing basic social services or community development etc. They do not distribute profit among their owners and directors, but the profit received has to be reinvested in the organization itself. By the Societies Act of 1860, any voluntary group wants to work in the public interest, then necessary support is provided to it by the government and civil society.

Importance of NGO :-

• The way these NGOs played their important role at the time of independence movement in social welfare, due to which Society Registration Act was kept in force after independence.

• They are becoming very helpful where there is a shortage of human resources, they can become the aides of the government.

• These NGOs are making democracy more effective through political communication between governance and citizens.

• They are playing a decisive role in good governance through research etc. In which drafting of policies, outlining the necessary reforms for it and data management for proper compliance, etc. are prominent.

• The presence of NGOs enables participatory democracy by giving expression to the voice of the citizens.

• They help in spreading awareness, social mobilization, service delivery, training, study and research and giving voice to public expectation. They ensure political accountability by communicating and monitoring the performance of the government.

• Many major bills like Right to Food Security, Right to Education or MNREGA and most importantly Right to Information were passed only with the intervention of NGOs.

                    Along with the above positive works, there are also some concerns related to NGOs, which can be understood from the following points:-

• They are also involved in criminal activities like money laundering. According to a report by the Intelligence Bureau, these include activities that are prejudicial to the national interest, may affect the public interest or may prejudicially affect the security, scientific, strategic or economic interests of the country.

• According to the report, due to such organizations, there is a deteriorating impact of 2-3 percent per year on GDP growth.

• Government funds are misused by many NGOs and the correct details of their funds are not even made available to the Income Tax Department on time.

                                                  NGOs empower communities, so there is a need to support them, not suppress them. Government and NGOs should act as partners and play a complementary role to achieve common goals and based on the core principles of respect and shared responsibility and authority. Therefore, there should be a regulatory body in this context as well.