Discuss the governance indicators across six dimensions.

One of the best mechanisms to measure and manage governance be it national, state or at local level is to assess the way it functions.

It is generally said that “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it” which signifies the importance of performance measurement.

Performance measurement has turned out to be the best indicator and it has become a known fact that seldom the public sector could achieve Sustainable Development Goals without measuring the costs, deadlines, targets, quality of work, and citizen satisfaction.

However, in governance context, it becomes challenging for the public sector to measure performance due to inherent complexities like lack of adequate statistics to quantify, dearth of qualified personnel to carry out survey, etc.

In collaboration with World Bank, Kaufmann et.al (2010) made an attempt to quantify governance indicators by using the data of over 200 countries. Let us briefly discuss the indicators given below: 

1. Voice and Accountability:

Citizens’ Voice and Accountability are key governance indicators that point out the ability of the citizens to exercise their freedoms and articulate their priorities, and to hold concerned stakeholders responsible for their actions.

This is measured through citizen participation in democratic processes.

For example, in the case of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, social audit has been used as a governance tool to monitor the official records, quality of work, and to determine whether the allocated resources has been utilised effectively at the village level.

2. Political Stability and Absence of Violence:

Political stability represents strong political institutions and predictable policies that foster economic stability, Consumer Price Index, social investments, and the capacity of the government to cope with financial risks of any magnitude.

With regard to Absence of Violence/Terrorism, it is related to the government’s preparedness to terror attacks and its ability to tackle mob violence.

3. Government Effectiveness: 

This refers to the perception of public service quality, such as, efficiency in resource mobilisation, access to clean drinking water, affordable health care and education, good infrastructure, food security, civil service integrity, etc.

4. Regulatory Quality:

This is associated with monetary policies and regulatory framework that promote business enterprises(micro and macro), simplified tax laws, stimulation of competitive markets,subsidies, pruning of redundant rules, effective government to business interface etc. With the introduction of economic reforms in 1991, India could boost its productivity and strengthen its international trade and investment by improving on its economic, legal, and physical infrastructure.

5. Rule of Law:

Rule of Law is the vital indicator which intends to maintain harmony in an open society where private sector and civil society jointly work with the government to resolve complex social problems.

With the engagement of various stakeholders in public service delivery, the State is expected to safeguard its citizens against arbitrary actions of the service providers and in enforcement of rights and remedies.

6. Control of Corruption: 

It refers to the capacity of the government in handling and preventing corrupt practices.

Post-globalisation,the ministries and departments have had persuaded organisations to automate processes that are vulnerable to corruption through Information and Communication Technology.

For example, the Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance launched by the Government of India is a single platform intended to access a wide range of citizen-centric services across service providers without any manipulation.

Subcribe on Youtube - IGNOU SERVICE

For PDF copy of Solved Assignment

WhatsApp Us - 9113311883(Paid)