“The purpose of government is to enable the people of a nation to live in safety and happiness.
Government exists for the interests of the governed, not for the governors." a quote famously
expressed by Thomas Jefferson, highlighting the duty of the government. It is the responsibility of a
governing body to make sure its citizens are enjoying their rights and freedom and have a high standard
of living. However the Indian government needs to amplify their efforts taken in ensuring the welfare of
its citizens because they are currently challenged by socio-economic and health issues.
Healthcare is a fundamental aspect of citizen welfare. While the Indian government has introduced
initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, which aims to provide health coverage to over 500
million people, these measures fall short of addressing the broader healthcare crisis. Public expenditure
on healthcare remains abysmally low at around 1.3% of GDP, compared to the global average of 6%.
This lack of investment results in inadequate healthcare facilities, especially in rural and remote areas,
where access to quality medical care is a significant concern. The disparity in healthcare access between
urban and rural areas underscores the government's failure to ensure equitable and comprehensive
healthcare for all citizens. Moreover, the financial burden of healthcare continues to push families into
poverty, indicating the insufficiency of current healthcare initiatives.
Education is another critical sector where the government's efforts have been largely inadequate.
Despite the Right to Education Act of 2009, which guarantees free and compulsory education for
children aged 6 to 14, the quality of education remains a pressing issue. Teacher absenteeism,
inadequate infrastructure, and concerns about the overall quality of education are prevalent. The
disparity in literacy rates between urban (87.7%) and rural (73.5%) areas highlights the government's
failure to provide equal educational opportunities. Furthermore, higher education remains inaccessible
and unaffordable for many, limiting the potential of India's youth. The government's focus has been
more on increasing enrollment rather than improving the quality of education, leaving the educational
system in a state of disrepair.
Social security and welfare programs are vital for the welfare of citizens, yet the government's efforts in
this area have been marred by inefficiency and corruption. The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system,
intended to reduce leakage and corruption, has not fully addressed these issues. Various social welfare
schemes, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), have faced implementation challenges and
corruption. Ensuring that all eligible citizens, especially those in remote or marginalized communities,
are covered by these schemes is crucial for their success. However, the government's failure to establish
robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms has limited the effectiveness of these programs, leaving
many intended beneficiaries without support.
Economic policies have also failed to equitably enhance the welfare of Indian citizens. While India has
witnessed significant economic growth, this growth has not been evenly distributed. The top 10% of the
population holds 77% of the national wealth, while the bottom 50% holds only 2%. Unemployment,
particularly among the youth and in rural areas, remains a pressing issue, with the overall
unemployment rate at 7.8% as of May 2021. The government's economic policies have largely favored
the wealthy, exacerbating income inequality and failing to create sufficient job opportunities for the
broader population. Financial initiatives, such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, have not
adequately addressed the deep-rooted issues of poverty and economic disparity, leaving millions in dire
economic conditions.
Human rights and social justice are fundamental to the welfare of any society, yet the Indian
government's track record in this area is troubling. Despite enacting legislation to protect marginalized
groups, such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women, issues like caste-based discrimination,
gender-based violence, and minority rights violations remain rampant. According to the National Crime
Records Bureau, crimes against women increased by 7.3% in 2019, with over 400,000 cases reported.
Additionally, concerns about freedom of speech, press, and assembly persist, with instances of
government crackdowns on dissent. The government's failure to uphold human rights and address social
injustices undermines the very foundation of citizen welfare.
In conclusion, the Indian government's efforts to safeguard the welfare of its citizens have been grossly
inadequate. Despite numerous policies and schemes, significant gaps and disparities persist across
different regions and communities. The government's insufficient investment in healthcare, lack of focus
on the quality of education, inefficient social security programs, unequal economic policies, and failure
to uphold human rights collectively paint a grim picture of its commitment to citizen welfare. Substantial
improvements are needed to ensure that the government's initiatives are effective, inclusive, and truly
serve the needs of all its citizens.
