BPAG- 172

 Explain the concept of governance and explain its various types?

Governance refers to a process of exercise of authority to govern people or regulate public

affairs. In simplest terms, governance relates to the effective management of the affairs of a
country at all levels, guaranteeing its territorial integrity, and securing the safety and overall
welfare of the people. It means management of social and economic resources for the
development of the country. Governance refers to all processes of governing whether done by
the government, market or civil society that involves interaction and decision making amongst
all the stakeholders.
Thus, in simple terms, governance means “the process of decision-making and the process by
which decisions are implemented (or not implemented)”. The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines
it as an “act or manner of governing” and “the office or function of governing”. Governance has
also become a term used to describe a particular set of changes. It signifies a set of elusive but
potentially deeply significant shifts in the way in which government seeks to govern.
According to the World Bank’s document on “Governance and Development” (1992) that
governance is considered a process by which the legitimized power had been exercised for the
utilization of resources of a country for development but not growth.
Sometimes, the word govt and governance are used interchangeably, but there exists a thin line
of difference between the two, Government is a group of people who rule or run the
administration of a country. It is the body of representatives that governs and controls the
State at a given time. It is the medium through which the power of the State is employed.
Governance, on the other hand, is the act of governing or ruling. It is the set of rules and laws
framed by the government that are to be implemented through the representatives of the
State. Simply put, governance is what the governments do. Governance is the physical exercise
of the polity while the government is the body through which this is done.
Concept of governance has multiple uses and multifaceted dimensions, some of them are
discussed in below-

 Participatory or democratic governance ensures the participation of citizens in the

process of policy-making and its implementation. Participation can be through election,
referendum, local self-governance, protest, etc. Democratic governance is not just a set
of rules and institutions, it refers to the processes in which democratic institutions are
functioning according to democratic processes.
 Global governance- The term ‘Global Governance’ was first used by Rosenau. He argues
that “Global governance is conceived to include systems of rule at all levels of the
 human activity-from the family to the international organization- in which the pursuit of
goals through the exercise of the control has transnational repercussions”. The term
global governance is pretty much relevant today, since there exists a lot non-state actors
like UNO, WTO etc which look after the same.
 Good governance is the ideal concept or normative concept. This concept is born when
ethics and values are included in the discussion of governance. When governance is
characterized by Participation, Rule of Law, Transparency, Responsiveness, Consensus
Oriented, Equity and Inclusiveness, Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Accountability then we
called it good governance.
 Corporate governance is a buzzword in the corporate boardroom across the world.
Corporate Governance is a set of rules or codes of conduct for the corporate sector or
corporate governance. Through corporate governance, the government can regulate
corporate companies. Every company has to follow those rules or codes of conduct to
start their business in a particular state or region.

 E-GOVERNANCE- The application of Information and Communication Technologies in

the process of governance gave birth to the idea of E-Governance. E-Governance or
Electronic governance is a modern initiative to make the governing process more
transparent and accountable. Its goal is to use technology for the greater good of
society. This system secures service delivery to the citizens at minimal cost, effort, and
time using internet services.

In summary, governance is a versatile concept encompassing the management and

direction of societies and organizations. Its core principles include authority,
transparency, the rule of law, participation, responsiveness, effectiveness, efficiency,
and equity. The various forms of governance, from political and corporate to nonprofit
and international governance, serve specific purposes within distinct contexts, all
contributing to the effective functioning of societies and institutions.
  A number of mechanisms have been initiated in India to ensure transparency and
accountability in governance – Elaborate.

Transparency and accountability serve as cornerstones of effective governance by fostering

trust, promoting integrity, and enhancing democratic principles. Transparency entails the free
flow of information, enabling citizens to access government data, processes, and decisions. It
ensures openness, allowing stakeholders to scrutinize actions and hold authorities accountable
for their conduct. In contrast, accountability demands that decision-makers answer for their
actions and use of resources. It establishes mechanisms for oversight, evaluation, and redressal,
reinforcing public confidence in institutions.
Transparency mitigates corruption risks, discouraging malfeasance and promoting ethical
behavior. It facilitates citizen engagement, empowering individuals to actively participate in
governance processes and demand responsiveness from authorities. Moreover, accountability
mechanisms, such as audits, performance evaluations, and public hearings, ensure that
government officials adhere to laws, regulations, and ethical standards.
Policymakers and researchers often emphasize the importance of government transparency
for strengthening accountability, reducing corruption, and enhancing good governance.
Transparency is unquestionably required for accountability. When information is accessible, it
becomes easier to hold institutions and officials accountable for their actions.
Various initiatives have been launched in India to ensure transparency and accountability of
governance in India, they are mentioned below-

 Right to Information (RTI) Act

o It is a parliamentary act in India that establishes laws and procedures for citizens’
access to information. It superseded the previous Freedom of Information Act of
2002.
o Any Indian citizen may seek information from a “public authority” (a government
entity or “state instrumentality”) under the RTI Act, which is required to respond
promptly or within thirty days. If the petitioner’s life or liberty is at stake, the
information must be delivered within 48 hours.
o In Delhi, a voluntary organisation called Parivartan, has been quite successful in
facilitating the use of Right to Information in addressing their grievances, getting
the pending works done by the government departments and also inspecting the
government works
 Citizen’s Charter
 o Citizen’s Charter is a non-agency devise for people’s participation. It is a
document representing an effort to focus on the commitment of the public
organisations towards its clients/citizens.
o The idea behind the Charter is tapping citizen’s responses to the actual working of
government organisations and to build efficiency and effectiveness of public
services.
o It is a concept based on government-citizen relationship. It views public services
through the eyes of those who use them i.e., the citizens. Although citizen’s
charter is not enforceable by the citizens, it provides a tool for improving the
public delivery system based on certain standards, quality and time frame.
 Adhaar Cards
o the parent body that issues and regulates the Adhaar card system in India is
“unique identification authority of India” or the UIDAI, adhaar card provides the
citizen with a unique 12 digit number via which one can avail the benefit of
various schemes.
o It, more or less, ensures the availability of all the govt schemes and benefits at
one place.
o But there have been privacy concerns regarding the adhaar card system, CAG
reports have cited various flaws and impotency on the part of UIDAI while
issuing adhaar cards, where various people got similar identification numbers.
o Dr. Justice DY Chandrachud in his famous dissenting judgement in justice
Puttaswamy (Retd.) and Anr. v Union of India, cited various flaws and
threats to the individual privacy with the passing of the adhaar act.
 CORPORATE SOCIAL GOVERNANCE
o Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), a governance-centric approach to
citizen’s welfare, is an obligation on the part of the corporates to act in a manner
which will serve the best interests of the society. The concept of CSR is based on
the premise that it is not only the State through public policies which is
responsible for societal development but the corporates also need to be
responsible for such initiatives.
o Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in India, mandated by the Companies Act, 2013,
has had a significant impact on fostering good governance. This legislation has
compelled businesses to integrate social and environmental concerns into their
operations, promoting transparency and accountability in their practices.

Thus, the delivering of various goods, services and development has been the foremost function of the
government, but at the same time, in order to maintain the democratic spirit of the country, time to
time various legislations and regulations have been passed in order to maintain the transparency and
accountability in governance. Acts like RTI act, citizens charter, adhaar act, 2016 and obligations likes
CSR has been among the prominent ones. Although the efficiency and the ambit of the mentioned
benefits is questionable, but at least, on paper, they provide transparency and holds the govt.
accountable for their actions.
  The involvement of stakeholders in governance takes various forms: Elaborate. 10

“A stakeholder in an organisation is any group or individual who can affect or is affected by the
achievement of the organisation’s objectives” (Freeman, 1984). Stakeholders are individuals who
either care about or have a vested interest in a project or organisation or any government
programme. They are the people who are actively involved with the work of the projects or
programmes or have something to either gain or lose as a result of its implementation. A
stakeholder can be a person, group or organisation who/which has an interest or stake in any
activity and has the ability to influence the outcome positively or negatively. Thus, every action
taken to implement a policy or programme in governance process is bound to impact those who
have a stake in it.
The involvement of stakeholders in governance is crucial for ensuring that decisions and actions taken
by governing bodies reflect the interests, needs, and perspectives of those affected by them.
Stakeholders are individuals, groups, or organizations that have an interest or stake in the outcomes of a
particular decision, policy, or initiative. Here are various forms in which stakeholders can be involved in
governance:

Consultative participation- This approach combines seeking input and actively involving stakeholders in
decision-making processes. It entails gathering feedback, suggestions, and opinions from stakeholders
through methods such as surveys, public hearings, or online forums. Additionally, it involves giving
stakeholders a direct role in shaping decisions by including them on advisory boards or committees,
fostering ownership, and building support for outcomes. This consultative participation ensures that
decisions consider a wide range of perspectives and are more likely to be accepted by those affected.

Collaboration- This method surpasses mere participation by fostering joint efforts with stakeholders to
tackle shared objectives or challenges. It entails forming partnerships with community groups,
businesses, or other stakeholders to collaboratively develop and implement initiatives. Through this
collaborative approach, shared responsibility is cultivated, interventions become more effective, and a
sense of mutual understanding and trust is fostered among stakeholders.

Representation: Representation involves ensuring that the interests of various stakeholder groups are
adequately represented in decision-making processes. This can be achieved by including diverse voices
and perspectives in decision-making bodies such as boards, councils, or panels. Representation helps
prevent the dominance of certain interests and ensures that decisions reflect the broader interests of
society.

Conflict Resolution and Mediation: In the realm of governance, encountering conflicts among
stakeholders is an inevitable occurrence. Effective governance strategies necessitate the establishment
of robust mechanisms aimed at resolving disputes and fostering dialogue in an impartial manner. This
might involve the implementation of mediation processes, the development of structured dispute
resolution mechanisms, or the establishment of ombudsman offices dedicated to addressing grievances.

Transparency, Accountability, and Capacity Building: Governance processes are strengthened by a

combination of transparency, accountability, and capacity building measures. Transparency involves
ensuring that information regarding governance processes, decisions, and outcomes is readily accessible
to stakeholders. This transparency enables stakeholders to understand the decision-making process and
holds decision-makers accountable for their actions. Simultaneously, capacity building initiatives provide
stakeholders with the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to engage effectively in governance
processes. Through training programs, workshops, and educational endeavors, stakeholders are
empowered to participate meaningfully.

In conclusion, Stakeholder involvement in governance is multi-dimensioned, based on the diverse wants

and needs of the society. Recognizing the importance of engaging stakeholders with diverse
perspectives and interests is fundamental to building trust and achieving better governance outcomes

 Examine the key challenges of governance. 10

The modern age is marked by globalization, unwavering commitment to social, economic and political
developments and technological advancements among others. Although these factors brings a boon the
modern day economies, they are marked by several problems, Thus the current age becomes one of
expectations and hope as well as deepening contradictions, uncertainties and emerging risks. For
instance, globalization could’ve helped the underdeveloped countries get access to various benefits that
they otherwise couldn’t have derived but at the same time globalization have brought about the
elimination of many physical and psychological barriers, precipitating a massive transfer of power and
influence away from traditional centers (mainly governments), and in turn contributing to the
empowerment of civil society and the decentralization of decision-making. They have facilitated
increasing connectedness but also alienation, the concentration of wealth in the hands of a narrower
circle, higher expectations of continued improvements in living standards and growing concerns about
the sustainability of our development path.

Some of the key challenges of governance faced by the modern nation-states are described below-

 Environmental challenges- Among the scientific communities, one of the most important areas
is that of the climate change, which is marked by constant rise in temperature leading to global
warming which in turn poses various threats. While economic growth and technological
innovation have led to a massive increase in global wealth, this has resulted in serious
degradation of the planet’s natural resources, now accelerated by climate change, and is leading
to emerging supply constraints. It is estimated, for instance, that by 2025 the number of people
living in regions with absolute water scarcity will have risen to some 1.8 billion, the recent-most
example being Bengaluru, which has been looming with water scarcity since 2017, and in 2024,
it has been hit with one.
 Political instability and Wars- The modern world is engulfed with wars and pursuit for territorial
expansion at the cost of other countries’ sovereignty, first the Russia-Ukraine war, then the
Israel-Palestine war and constant Chinese aggression and overt claims to Arunachal Pradesh.
Thus, ensuring national security becomes the paramount responsibility of government.
Governance must adapt to address immediate threats, mobilize resources, and coordinate
military operations to defend the nation.
  Global health crises and pandemics: Outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as the COVID-19
pandemic, pose significant challenges to governance by straining healthcare systems, disrupting
economies, and testing crisis management capabilities. Strengthening global health governance,
pandemic preparedness, and response mechanisms is essential for managing future health
crises.
 Rise of authoritarianism regimes- Wearing the garb of democracy, various countries have
actually degraded to authoritarian regimes in some way or the other which has various
implications on the effective governance. An example of this could be, India’s constantly falling
rank in the Press freedom Index. Without an Independent media, a platform for critical
evaluation of governance model shrinks, thereby giving the govt. a free hand to run at its own
whims and fancies.
 Corruption and Governance Failures: Corruption undermines governance effectiveness by
eroding public trust, diverting resources from essential services, and perpetuating inequality.
Weak institutions, lack of transparency, and impunity for corrupt practices hinder efforts to
combat corruption and uphold the rule of law, posing significant governance challenges. Govts.
Favoring certain corporates is an example of the same, where other potential candidates are
promptly ignored.
 Political Polarization and Populism: Growing political polarization and the rise of populist
movements undermine democratic governance by fostering divisiveness, undermining
institutions, and eroding trust in democratic norms. Governance must address the root causes of
polarization, promote inclusive dialogue, and strengthen democratic institutions to counter the
spread of populism. A recent example of this is the rise of anti-democratic sentiment in the
Argentina, with the rise of populist leader Javier Milei and USA pulling out of Paris accord under
trump’s regime.

In summary, the obstacles confronting governance are multifaceted and varied, spanning from
economic inequality and environmental decline to political unrest and technological upheaval.
Tackling these hurdles necessitates cooperation, creativity, and inclusive strategies that prioritize the
welfare of all individuals. By promoting openness, answerability, and adaptability, authorities can
maneuver through the intricacies of contemporary society and establish fairer and more enduring
communities

 Media has an important role in governance- Elaborate.

The media is the center force for driving governance agenda in any country around the world. The
media is a carrier of information; it stands for all the agencies which are focused on presenting the
information to the people. The role of media is very important for the proper functioning of democracy.
It is often referred to as the fourth pillar of democracy. The media is supposed to function impartially so
that both sides of governance model can be put forward in front of the citizens, so as to promote
informed decision making. Media, therefore, plays the following role in governance-

 Popularizing govt. schemes- By effectively communicating the objectives and benefits of

schemes, media bridges the gap between the government and the people, empowering citizens
to avail themselves of the services provided and hold authorities accountable for their
implementation, thus contributing to the overall effectiveness of governance. This helps in
fostering transparency, accountability, and citizen participation, all essential elements of good
governance.
 To inform and educate- Media educates and informs via TV debates, polls, newspapers, surveys
among other methods. It involves informing the citizens about the flaws, advantages and
loopholes within a law, regulation or the schemes that are brought out by the government. .
Many government agencies have started using this medium to transfer relevant information to
its citizens. The essential role of pluralistic media is to analyse and explain to citizens political
issues at global and domestic level, both political situations, and social reactions and behaviors,
thus, Pluralistic information acts as a mediator between politicians and society.
 Society’s watchdog- Media should be vigilant about the laws of the country and that they are
not violated by institutions of the government or any other rogue elements. In this aspect, it has
demonstrated its excellence in bringing to book some of the law breakers in recent times. In
fact, it has gone an extra mile by putting pressure to ensure that justice is given to victims.
However, often we find that it surpasses its role of a watchdog and starts media trial which has
the potential to tarnish individual reputation in the eyes of public..
 Crises communication - during emergencies or crises, the media acts as a conduit for
disseminating information and guidance from government authorities to the public, facilitating
effective crisis management.
 Ensures checks, balances and accountability- Media acts as watchdog against the misuse of
administrative authority. Its continuous watch on government policies and actions ensures
accountability of government to the citizens that helps in improving service delivery and
governance. Media with its investigative reports is able to shed light on this possible conflict of
interest. It ensures that clarity is maintained in the execution of all the government policies and
government is taking care of the interests of the masses but not of one particular group or
section of the society.

Therefore, media hasn’t been called as the fourth pillar of democracy for no reason, it has played and
has been playing a major role in disseminating useful information to the citizens, which in-turn promotes
active and informed decision-making among the individuals. Through its various initiatives and
programmes, such as debates, open houses and seeking direct public opinion, it helps garner and spread
useful information about laws, regulations and governance among the citizens, thereby promoting
effective and good governance.

 Discuss the various perspectives of globalization

Globalization is a process by which events, decisions and activities in one part of the globe lead to
significant consequences for individuals and communities in quite distant parts of the globe.
Globalisation has influenced the State, market and civil society to a great extent. It is resulting in
a multiplicity of linkages and interconnections between nation-states and societies.
Perspectives on globalization
 Economic perspective- the economic perspective views globalization, as interconnectedness and
interdependency of economies worldwide. No single economy can survive on its own, since the
resources are distributed all over the globe, and no single resource is available at all the places,
therefore interdependency becomes a major imperative. In-fact the success of globalization, so
far as the economic cases are concerned, can be viewed from the fact that, Rate of poverty has
declined worldwide the percentage of people living in extreme poverty (defined as living on less
than $1.90 per day) decreased from 36% in 1990 to 8.6% in 2018(WORLD BANK), there has been
a significant rise in the trade volumes worldwide, as per the WTO data, the volume of world
merchandise trade grew on average by 3.9% per year between 1990 and 2008.
 Cultural perspective- this perspective of globalization views it as a product of modernity, while
some praise it for bringing in the so called western-liberal trend to the third world countries,
others view it as an extension of western imperialism, which is described as coloniality, which
literally means colonization of the mindset and inferiority towards one’s own culture. However,
globalization also offers opportunities for cultural exchange, innovation, and advocacy for
cultural diversity and social justice. Navigating the complexities of cultural globalization requires
a balanced approach that acknowledges both its potential benefits and challenges in preserving
and promoting cultural diversity on a global scale.
 Environmental perspective- The environmental viewpoint on globalization focuses on how
global interconnection affects the natural environment. Globalization causes
environmental degradation by increasing resource extraction, pollution, deforestation,
and habitat destruction, which are driven by economic activities such as industrialization
and trade. Critics point to the unequal distribution of environmental burdens, with
marginalized populations suffering the brunt of pollution and ecological damage.
However, globalization encourages worldwide cooperation on environmental challenges,
such as climate change mitigation and conservation efforts.

Write a note on various phases in ICT abled governance

The information age, made possible by the advent of computers, is characterised by the shift from
traditional industry to an economy based on information digitisation. The onset of the information age is
associated with the digital revolution, just as the industrial revolution marked the onset of the industrial
age. The internet, synonymous with ICT, was conceived as a network that could connect computers
together. Though the internet itself has existed since 1969, it was with the invention of the World Wide
Web (www) in 1989 by British scientist Tim Berners-Lee and its introduction in 1991 that the internet
became an easily accessible network. Various phases in ICT abled governance are as follows-

1. FIRST PHASE- PRESCENCE

 The presence of information on the various platforms of government such as
websites, e-brochure etc makes the first stage of E-governance. In the first stage, the
activity involves the development and establishment and delivering of information for
the stakeholder use. This stage is the simplest, non-expensive phase in
implementation of E-governance, but it gives only little option for the stakeholders.
2. SECOND PHASE- INTERACTION
  The second stage of the E-governance model is the advanced version of the first
stage which involves the interaction between the government and stakeholders such
as businessmen or interested groups or citizens. In this stage citizens or
stakeholders can communicate with the government via E-mail, chat database,
customer care platform, feedback forms or submission of online form. It also
reduces the physical interaction of stakeholders and governance, which also saves
the labour hour.
1. THIRD PHASE- TRANSACTION
 The third stage of E-governance involves the transactions made between
stakeholder and government. In this stage, the government’s e-governance efforts
make life of citizens easier by enabling electronic transactions and simplifying
government processes. Government, Business and Departments can avail services
by making a payment online for services such as licence renewal, online bidding and
deposition of bid amount, paying taxes online, paying for various services provided
by government.
2. FOURTH PHASE – TRANSFORMATION
 This phase is the highest in order for e-governance initiatives. This level involves
exhausting the full use of available technology to transform the government service
by receiving information, organisation and analysing information and execution. The
main advantage of this stage is to provide seamless flow of information by the
service provider and collaborative decision making among the union, state, local,
citizens and private interest groups.

DESCRIBE IN BRIEF THE MODELS OF CORPORATE

GOVERNANCE
The corporate governance pattern may differ from corporation to corporation. The nature of the
corporate is determined by outlining the rights and responsibilities of all the stakeholders with
the suitable legal and regulatory framework and the de facto realities of the corporate existence.
Some of the prominent models of corporate governance are discussed below in brief-
1. ANGLO SAXON MODEL- this model of corporate governance is widely prevalent in UK and USA,
also known as the anglo-american model, under this model, the companies prioritizes
maximizing returns, shareholders profits and facilitating regular contacts. All other stakeholder
groups such as customers, employees and communities are secondary to the interest of the
investors. This model is generally found in the market-oriented economies that focuses on free-
market principles and individual rights.
2. Japanese model- governance pattern under the Japanese model takes shape in light of the two
dominant legal relationships: one between the shareholders, customers, suppliers, creditors and
the other between the administrators, managers and shareholders. There is a sense of joint
responsibility under the Japanese model of governance. The central bank and the Japanese
ministry of finance are involved in reviewing the relationship between the different groups and
have implicit control over the negotiations. Individual investors are seen as less important than
the business entities, the government and union groups.
3. Continental model- also referred to as the Franco-German model of governance, its functions
are carried out by two groups, the supervisory council and the executive board, while the
executive board is in charge of the corporate management, and the supervisory council controls
 the executive board. Government and national interests take precedence under the continental
model, and much attention is paid to the corporation’s responsibility to submit to government’s
objectives and betterment of society. Another significant feature of the continental model is
that a major role is given to the auditors committee which represents the stockholders and the
labour.

Explain the triple bottom line (TBL) approach

The triple bottom line approach is a business concept that states, firms should commit to measuring
their social and environmental impact- in addition to their financial performance- rather solely focusing
on generating profit. It describes the three P’s which can be broken down into – Profit, people and
planet, thereby adding an environmental dimension. The three P’s are discussed briefly, below-

 PROFIT- Motive behind the functioning of any company is to generate more and more profits, in
a capitalist economy esepecially, the success of a firm is measured by its financial performance,
or the profit it generates for the shareholders. Therefore, strategic planning initiatives and key
business decision are generally and carefully designed so as to attain the motive. In-fact, the
companies have now taken to the initiatives that adapts to environmental sustainability and
social justice, which doesn’t hampers their drive for profit.
 PEOPLE- The second approach highlights the company’s societal impact and its commitment to
the people. As firms are now taking to the initiative of sustainability, they are shifting their focus
towards creating value for all the shareholders, however small they may be, such as people,
customers, employees and community members. For instance many organizations have formed
successful strategic partnerships with non-profit organisations that share a common purpose-
driven goal.
 PLANET- The final component is concerned with making a positive impact on the planet. Since
the birth of industrial revolution, large corporation have contributed a staggering amount of
pollution to the environment, which has been a key driver of climate change and environmental
concerns. While corporations, historically, have been the greatest contributor to the climate
change, they also hold the keys to driving a positive change. Thus, initiatives like, green bonds,
green funding etc have been launched worldwide, which are being endorsed by various
companies and organisations, thus giving a long term sustainability dimension.

What is citizen’s charter?