[Synopsis] Day 23 – July 25, 2024 – 75 Days Mains Revision Plan 2024 – Governance

75 Days Mains Revision Plan 2024 – Governance

Governance

Topic: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies

Q1. How effective is the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in addressing the threats to children’s rights in India? Analyze. (10M)

Key Demand of the question:

Analyze the effectiveness of the NCPCR in addressing threats to children’s rights in India.

Directive:

Analyze – Evaluate and discuss the effectiveness, strengths, and limitations of the NCPCR in protecting children’s rights.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Briefly introduce the NCPCR and its mandate. Mention the significance of protecting children’s rights.

Body:

First part: Effectiveness of NCPCR: Achievements

Implementation of child protection policies.

Interventions in cases of child abuse and exploitation.

Advocacy and awareness programs.

Coordination with state bodies and NGOs.

Second part: Challenges

Limited resources and staffing issues.

Difficulties in monitoring and enforcement.

Coordination gaps with state and local agencies.

Data collection and reporting issues.

Conclusion:

Highlight the need for strengthened mechanisms and additional support to enhance the NCPCR’s role in safeguarding children’s rights.

Introduction:

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) was established under the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, to oversee the implementation of various laws and policies designed to protect children’s rights in India.

Body: 

The Commission is mandated to monitor the proper and effective implementation of

• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
• Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
• Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

Effectiveness of NCPCR: 

1. POCSO e-Box: An online complaint box designed for reporting child sexual abuse, enabling children to report incidents directly to the NCPCR. This system facilitates prompt action under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
2. Samvardhan: A program focused on vulnerability mapping to combat child trafficking, aimed at identifying and addressing areas of high risk for child exploitation.
3. MASI App: The “MASI” (Monitoring App for Seamless Inspection) application provides real-time monitoring of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) across India, improving oversight and accountability.
4. GHAR – GO: The GHAR (GO Home and Re-Unite) portal tracks the restoration and repatriation process of children, enhancing digital monitoring and ensuring the effective reunification of children with their families.

Challenges and Limitations of NCPCR:

1. Limited Capacity to Enforce Recommendations: NCPCR can make recommendations but has limited authority to ensure their implementation by government bodies and other organizations.
2. Limited Resources: The Commission faces constraints in financial and human resources, impacting its ability to execute its functions effectively.
3. Lack of Set Time Frames: There are no fixed deadlines for completing enquiries or investigations conducted by the NCPCR, which can lead to delays.
4. Limited Capacity to Address All Issues: With a broad range of child-related issues in India, the NCPCR may struggle to address all concerns effectively due to limited resources.

Key Recommendations for Effective Functioning of NCPCR:

1. Increase Funding: Allocate more financial resources to enhance the NCPCR’s ability to fulfil its functions and mandate.
2. Strengthen Legal Powers: Grant the NCPCR additional legal authority, such as the ability to issue binding orders and impose fines, to improve its capacity to address violations of child rights.
3. Raise Awareness: Boost awareness of the NCPCR’s services and existence, particularly in marginalized and disadvantaged communities.
4. Empower Children: Focus on involving and empowering children in the Commission’s decision-making processes and activities.

Conclusion: 

Protection of children by the state is guaranteed to Indian citizens by an expansive reading of Article 21 of the Constitution of India and also mandated given India’s status as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Topic: Important aspects of governance: Citizen’s charters

Q2. Discuss how Citizen’s Charters contribute to citizen-centric governance and assess the challenges that impede their effective implementation in India. (15M)

 Key Demand of the question:

Discuss the role of Citizen’s Charters in enhancing citizen-centric governance and assess the challenges faced in their implementation.

Directive:

Discuss – Provide a detailed explanation of how Citizen’s Charters contribute to governance and evaluate the obstacles to their successful implementation.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Define Citizen’s Charters and their purpose. Mention the importance of citizen-centric governance.

Body:

First part: Contribution to Citizen-Centric Governance:

Transparency, Accountability,

Efficiency, Empowerment

Second part: Challenges in Implementation:

Lack of Awareness, Inadequate Training,

Poor Monitoring, Resource Constraints,

Resistance to Change.

Third part: Measures for Improvement:

Strengthening Awareness Programs, Capacity Building,

Improving Monitoring Mechanism,

Resource Allocation, Encouraging Feedback

 Conclusion:

Summarize the role and impact of Citizen’s Charters.

Introduction:

A Citizen Charter is a formal document issued by public organizations that outlines their mission, operations, and services. It specifies the quality and standards of service delivery, including expected timeframes, with the goal of improving transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in public service.

Body:

Role of Citizen’s Charters in Citizen-Centric Governance:

1. Enhancing User Experience: Charters focus on improving public service user experiences, aligning services with citizen expectations.

• Example: the Ministry of Railways’ Charter commits to punctuality, cleanliness, and safety for passengers.

2. Introducing Choice and Competition: Charters incorporate choice and competition in service delivery, empowering citizens to demand better services.

3. Setting Clear Standards: Charters define service standards for performance monitoring.

4. Mandating Fair Treatment: Charters emphasize respectful treatment of users, safeguarding privacy, and addressing special needs.

• Example: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Charter commits to dignified patient care.

5. Effective Grievance Redressal: Charters establish mechanisms for resolving complaints efficiently.

Challenges in Implementing Citizen’s Charters:

1. Poor Design: Ineffective Charters may result from a lack of understanding of their purpose and goals.
2. Lack of Monitoring: Absence of systematic performance tracking can hinder effective implementation.
3. Resistance to Change: Institutional reluctance to change established practices can obstruct Charter adoption.
4. Limited Citizen Engagement: Inadequate feedback mechanisms restrict citizen input and accountability.
5. Lack of Legal Force: Without legal rights or penalties, Charters may lack effectiveness as accountability tools.

Recommendations from the Second ARC’s 12th Report “Citizen-Centric Administration”:

1. Wide Consultation: Develop Charters through extensive internal and civil society consultations.
2. Firm Commitments: Ensure Charters make clear, quantifiable service delivery commitments.
3. Default Redressal: Outline remedies for failure to meet Charter standards.
4. Periodic Updates: Regularly update Charters, ideally through external agencies.
5. Accountability: Hold officers responsible for adhering to Charter commitments.

Conclusion:

By implementing these suggestions, Citizen Charters can become more effective tools for ensuring transparent, accountable, and responsive public services, evolving into key instruments of governance by India@2047.

ETHICS

Q3. Why should empathy and compassion be considered foundational values in public services, especially in the present-day socio-economic context? Illustrate your answer with examples. [10M, 150words]

Key Demand of question:

Explain the need and role of compassion and empathy as a foundational value in civil service.

 Structure of the answer:

 Introduction: Start with the definition of foundational value.

 Body:

• First, write the definition of empathy and compassion.
• Then, write the significance of empathy and compassion in the present socio-economic condition.
• Try to bring various vulnerable sections into your example.

Conclusion:

Conclude by highlighting other foundational values that are also necessary.

Introduction:

Foundational values are the principles on which government and policies should be based on. Adherence to foundational values such as integrity, objectivity, non-partisanship, tolerance, compassion, dedication to public service, etc., serve as guiding principles for civil servants

Body:

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It involves putting oneself in another’s shoes to grasp their emotions, thoughts, and experiences. However, Compassion goes beyond empathy by not only understanding another’s feelings but also taking action to alleviate their suffering. It involves a deep sense of care and a desire to help those in distress.

Importance of empathy and compassion in the Indian socio-economic context:

1. Addressing disparities: Empathy and compassion help in designing policies that address the needs of marginalized communities, improving socio-economic conditions.
   • Eg: HDI report 2022 shows female HDI is 0.582 only.
2. Enhancing service delivery: Understanding diverse experiences leads to more effective and responsive public services.
   • Eg: NCRB data show only 9 convicted of 29,356 accused transgender.
3. Building trust: Compassion fosters trust and cooperation between the government and citizens, enhancing community engagement.
   • Eg: CSR funds used to develop the schools in tribal areas.
4. Promoting harmony: Empathy helps bridge social divides and promotes mutual respect in a diverse society.
   • Eg: Tolerance among the various castes and religions.
5. Self-actualization and societal growth: When such a society evolves having compassion for others and helping others in need, each individual is taken care of by the society, and in turn he also helps the society.

Ways to incubate Empathy and Compassion:

1. Training: Include empathy and compassion in professional development programs.
   • Eg: PM Karmayogi training to impart value to officers.
2. Community engagement: Encourage interactions with citizens to understand their challenges better.
   • Eg: Involvement with NGO’s such as PETA to serve selflessly
3. Inclusive policy making: Design policies with input from diverse groups to meet varied needs.
4. Support Systems: Provide resources for public servants to manage emotional demands.
5. Culture of Service: Promote and reward empathetic and compassionate behavior in public service.

Conclusion:

As Dalai Lama teaches, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” Indeed, compassion and empathy often lead to positive outcomes and is essential for everyone

Q4. Rajesh Sharma, an IAS officer in the state of Andhra Pradesh, was recently assigned to oversee the distribution of government subsidies intended for rural development projects. His responsibilities included ensuring that funds were allocated fairly and transparently to eligible projects and monitoring their execution to prevent misuse. During his tenure, Rajesh discovered several irregularities. Reports suggested that some local officials were manipulating the subsidy distribution process to favor certain contractors and projects, in exchange for bribes. Additionally, political pressure from influential local leaders was being exerted to divert funds towards projects that would benefit their supporters, rather than the intended beneficiaries. Rajesh faced a critical decision: whether to uphold his duty with integrity and impartiality by exposing these corrupt practices or to succumb to the pressures and potential backlash from powerful local figures. His choice would not only impact the efficiency of the subsidy program but also his career and personal safety.

1. 1. 1. Identify the stakeholders in the given case study.
      2. What are the options available with Rajesh Sharma? Which option should he choose and why?
      3. Evaluate the importance of foundational values such as integrity and impartiality in public administration. [20M]

Key Demand of the question:

Identify the stakeholder in the case, then identify the options available with Rajesh and explain the importance of foundational value.

Structure of the answer: 

Introduction:

Start with the nuances of the case study.

Body:

The answer body must have the following aspects covered

• Identify the stakeholders involved in the case.
• Highlight the options available to Rajesh in a given case and argue them with merit and demerit.
• Discuss what approach Rajesh adopts in the end.
• Then address the importance of integrity and impartiality in public administration.

Conclusion:

You can summarise your view in the end.

Introduction:

In the case of Rajesh Sharma, an IAS officer facing ethical dilemmas in subsidy distribution, ethical philosophy provides a guiding framework. Drawing from principles of deontological ethics, which emphasize duty and adherence to moral rules, Rajesh’s responsibility is to act with integrity and impartiality.

Body:

1. a) Stakeholders involved in the case are:

1. Rajesh Sharma: IAS officer responsible for overseeing subsidy distribution.
2. Local Officials: Involved in manipulating the subsidy distribution process.
3. Contractors: Beneficiaries of the manipulated subsidy allocations.
4. Political Leaders: Exerting pressure to divert funds for their supporters.
5. Rural Communities: Intended beneficiaries of the subsidies and rural development projects.
6. Government: The institution responsible for the proper distribution and use of subsidies.
7. Public: Broader community affected by the corruption or proper use of funds.

1. b) Options available to Rajesh in the given case are:
2. Option 1: Expose corrupt practices.
   1. Merit:
      1. Upholds integrity and transparency.
      2. Ensures fair allocation of subsidies through deontology

• Supports the intended beneficiaries and contributes to systemic reform.

1. Demerit:
   1. Faces potential backlash from powerful local figures.
   2. Risks to career and personal safety.

• May encounter resistance and legal challenges.

1. Option II: Succumb to pressures and let them off
   1. Merit:
      1. Avoids immediate conflict and potential backlash.
      2. Maintains current relationships with influential local leaders.
   2. Demerit:
      1. It would amount to a violation of law and my conduct in office.
      2. Allows continued corruption and misuse of funds

• This might roll me down the moral slipperiness.

• Option III: Seek internal resolution
  1. Merit:
     1. Addresses the issue within the system.
     2. May mitigate immediate backlash.

• Can lead to corrective measures if handled appropriately.

1. Demerit:
   1. May not fully resolve the issue if corruption is widespread.
   2. Could result in limited impact or partial exposure.

• Might be insufficient to stop the misuse.

Rajesh should choose Option I: Expose the corruption practice in office because, As Abdul Kalam said “The fight for corruption-free ethical society will have to be fought against this greed and replace it with ‘what can I give’ spirit.” By adhering to the deontological philosophy Rajesh should report corruption as it will be a moral duty to fight against misuse of public funds. This action will result in enhanced moral amplitude in Rajesh and set an ethical leadership example among the subordinates.

1. c) The importance of integrity and impartiality in public administration are:

1. Integrity in public administration:
   • Upholding the public interest: Public officials with integrity prioritize the well-being of citizens over personal or political gains, ensuring decisions benefit the public rather than serving partisan interests.
   • Promoting accountability and credibility: Integrity ensures public officials are accountable for their actions, enhancing the transparency and credibility of government institutions and reinforcing public trust.
   • Ensuring fairness and impartiality: Integrity fosters fairness and impartiality, ensuring all individuals and groups are treated equitably and have equal access to resources and services.
   • Combating corruption and unethical conduct: Integrity helps prevent corruption and unethical behavior by maintaining high ethical standards, resisting bribery and favoritism, and working to eliminate corrupt practices.
2. Impartiality in public administration:
   • Objective decision-making: Impartiality enables civil servants to make decisions based on objective criteria rather than personal biases.
     • Eg: an impartial Chairman of the Finance Commission can allocate resources based on fair, unbiased criteria, avoiding favoritism.
   • Effective citizen relations: An impartial civil servant fosters positive relationships with society.
     • Eg: an unbiased SDM gains the respect and cooperation of the community, which is crucial for effective conflict management.
   • Equal treatment: Impartiality ensures fair and equal treatment for everyone.
     • Eg: a Judge in court adheres to impartiality to serve fair justice.

Conclusion:

Integrity and impartiality are crucial for effective public administration, ensuring decisions are made based on fairness and objective criteria. They build public trust, prevent corruption, and foster equitable treatment of all citizens. Upholding these values is essential for maintaining ethical standards and promoting a just society.

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