Governance, TLP-UPSC Mains Answer Writing
Analyze the challenges faced by the civil services in promoting transparency and accountability in governance and suggest ways to overcome them.
प्रशासन में पारदर्शिता और उत्तरदायित्व को बढ़ावा देने में सिविल सेवाओं के सामने आने वाली चुनौतियों का विश्लेषण करें और उन्हें दूर करने के उपाय सुझाएं।
Approach
Candidates can start the answer with giving basic idea of E governance and then write the positive outcome of the E governance also mention some of drawbacks in the end suggest some measures.
Introduction
There are several challenges faced by civil services in promoting transparency and accountability in governance such as red-tapism, ineffective implementation of rules and laws, very low level of awareness of rights and duties among citizens.
Body
Challenges:
- Political Interference: Political interference in the work of civil servants can undermine their ability to act in the public interest and promote transparency and accountability in government operations.
- Lack of Resources: Civil services may lack the resources needed to implement effective transparency and accountability mechanisms, including staff, funding, and technology.
- Resistance to Change: Some civil servants may be resistant to changes in the way they work that are aimed at promoting transparency and accountability, including new reporting and monitoring requirements.
- Lack of Public Awareness: Civil services may struggle to promote transparency and accountability if citizens are not aware of their rights and how to access information and provide feedback.
- Inadequate Legal Framework: The legal framework for promoting transparency and accountability may be inadequate in some countries, making it difficult for civil servants to implement effective measures.
- Corruption: Corruption can undermine transparency and accountability in governance, as civil servants may be influenced by bribery, nepotism, or other forms of corruption.
- Cultural Attitudes: Cultural attitudes and norms may discourage transparency and accountability in some countries, making it difficult for civil servants to promote these values.
To overcome the challenges:
- Strengthening Legal Framework: Strengthening the legal framework for transparency and accountability, including the right to information and freedom of expression, to ensure that civil servants have the tools they need to promote these values.
- Enhancing Public Awareness: Raising public awareness about transparency and accountability in governance, including the rights of citizens to access information and provide feedback, to help citizens hold their government to account.
- Encouraging Political Will: Encouraging political will to support transparency and accountability initiatives, including measures to prevent political interference in the work of civil servants and to protect whistleblowers.
- Providing Adequate Resources: Providing adequate resources to civil services, including staff, funding, and technology, to ensure that they are able to implement effective transparency and accountability mechanisms.
- Fostering a Culture of Transparency: Fostering a culture of transparency within civil services, encouraging civil servants to be open and transparent in their work, and to welcome public scrutiny.
- Encouraging Collaboration: Encouraging collaboration between civil services, government leaders, and citizens, to promote transparency and accountability, and to ensure that all stakeholders have a role to play in promoting these values.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Implementing regular monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of transparency and accountability initiatives, and to make changes as needed.
Conclusion
Overcoming the challenges requires a sustained effort from all stakeholders, including civil servants, government leaders, and citizens. It is important to take a comprehensive approach, addressing legal, cultural, and resource challenges, and working together to create a more transparent and accountable government.