AK

Aryan Kumar SinghAIR 104· 2929

Question 6How canGS2GS2

How can India make Citizens' Charter a powerful tool for improving governance and empowering citizens? (Answer in 150 words)

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AnswerStrengthsKeywords

Introduction

Citizen's Charter is a document containing mission statement about services to provided, quality of services and the grievances available against misconduct. NGOs are non State, Non profit and Non market agencies outside the traditional governance.

35 words

Main Body

Citizen's Charter is a document containing mission statement about services to provided, quality of services and the grievances available against misconduct.

Significance: Accountability and Transparency, Increased Participatory governance, Value for money (service delivery)

However it faces from following challenges:

1Only 34% Charters different from organisation's mission statement.
2Criticised as Manager's charter.
3Only 54% of GRM responsive.
4Not updated regularly.
5Not published in Vernacular languages.

Measures needed to make it more effective

1Following Karnataka's Sakala Initiative - binding citizen's charter.
2Utilising e-governance as done in transparency desk in Tripura.
3Learning from e-Jan Sampark model of Chandigarh.
42nd ARC's Sevottam Model. (Diagram: Citizen's charter -> Service delivery, GRM)
5Publishing in vernacular languages.
6Periodic monitoring and review.

This can ensure that we move towards the real dawn of transparency.

NGOs are non State, Non profit and Non market agencies outside the traditional governance. Eg ASER for Education.

Therefore they lack access to adequate funding and resources in adhering to public service. Thus, corporate donors help in filling this void.

They can provide:

Adequate funds by donation. Eg Warren Buffet -> Philanthropy.
Human resource by collaborating with small NGOs. Eg Ring Human

Eg Coaanj by Anshu Gupta (corporate) -> Disaster management.

Increase effectiveness of service delivery. Eg Akshay Patra & Mid day meal.

However there are a few concerns:

1Corporates may divert their black money.
2Excessive funding shifts loyalty of NGO from public to market.
3Lack of Transparency. (only 10% NGOs file audits - CBI)

Way ahead

1Balancing autonomy with accountability.
2Utilising Social bonds.
3Mandatory audits.

S. Vijay Kumar Committee recommendations can guide us ahead to balance both interests.

284 words10 paragraphs2 bullet points

Conclusion

This can ensure that we move towards the real dawn of transparency. S. Vijay Kumar Committee recommendations can guide us ahead to balance both interests.

25 words

Diagram

Diagram showing Significance branching into Accountability and Transparency, Increased Participatory governance, Value for money

  • Good statistical data on charter effectiveness
  • Clear diagram of significance
  • Multiple state-level best practices cited
  • Reference to 2nd ARC recommendations
  • Good conceptual clarity on NGO definition
  • Relevant global example of Warren Buffet
  • Balanced view with concerns and way ahead
  • Cited specific committee recommendation

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Page 16

Topper

Aryan Kumar Singh

AIR 1042929

Subject & Paper

GS2GS2

Topic

Governance, Transparency, Accountability and E-governance

Citizens Charters

Effectiveness and Challenges of Citizens Charter

Writing Stats

344

Total words

10

Paragraphs

2

Bullets

structured, point-wise with diagram

Tone