Topic : Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
1. Discuss the importance of involving civil society in prelegislative Scrutiny and mention the steps that can be taken by the government to increase public engagement in it. (250 words)
Reference: PRS INDIA
Why the question:
The question is premised on the point of involving civil society in the prelegislative scrutiny of the government.
Key Demand of the question:
One must elaborate in detail the concept of prelegislative scrutiny, the importance of involving civil society in it and also steps that can be taken by the government to increase public engagement in it.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by suggesting the importance of citizen’s participation in public policy making.
Body:
The need to build linkages between citizens and the policy-making process arises from the necessity to have greater transparency and equality of access for all stakeholders that form the bedrock of a democratic framework. Pre-legislative scrutiny calls for a process to garner public feedback at an early stage of framing a law or statute.
Then move onto suggest means to ensure the participation of the citizenry in pre-legislative scrutiny of policies.
Conclusion:
Hint at the past policies of the government in this direction and suggest what more needs to be done in this direction and conclude.
