Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
4. The Citizens’ Charter is an ideal tool of administrative transparency and accountability, yet it has its own limitations. Classify the limitations and suggest measures for greater effectiveness of the Citizens’ Charter. (250 Words)
Governance in India by Lakshmikant
Why this question:
The question is from the static portions of the GS paper II.
Key demand of the question:
One must explain the significance of Citizens’ Charter in ensuring the administrative transparency and accountability and also comment upon the limitations that come along with it.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief define what you understand by Citizen’s charter.
Body:
Explain first what is the objective of our citizen charter?
Why is a Citizen Charter important?
Citizens’ Charter is a voluntary declaration by a Government agency about its mandate, what to expect by way of services and how to seek a remedy if something goes wrong. In doing so, it aims to realize the principles of transparency, accountability and responsiveness of good governance.
Explain that however, its effectiveness has been limited due to reasons mentioned below-
Devoid of Participatory Approach in consulting stakeholders, Absence of critical information and Lack of Public Awareness etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting measures to make citizen’s charter effective.
