Rahul Bajaj, Jan 22, 2011, 12.00am IST
The role of participative plural governance is central to the inclusive growth model that India has instituted so effectively. It has led to a growth-oriented, investor-friendly and sustainable climate for doing business, one that encourages individual creativity and fosters innovation.
According to Niall Ferguson , there is a virtuous positive correlation between economic freedom and political freedom. India inherited the institutions of democracy at independence, then went on to strengthen and reinforce them in a dedicated manner. This has allowed multiple perspectives to emerge, and enabled each citizen to be an active participant in governance. Today, free and fair multiparty elections are routine at all levels, almost every year several states go to the polls.
To give an idea of the enormity of the task of Indian democracy, take a look at the last parliamentary elections held in May 2009: 420 million voters out of an electorate of 714 million eligible voters cast their votes with the help of 5.5 million officials, 828,000 polling stations, and 1.37 million electronic voting machines. With seven national political parties and over 50 state recognised parties, practically every ideology was represented. Results were evident within a couple of hours of the start of counting through electronic machines.
Participatory governance is most evident in local self-government at the village level, termed 'panchayat'. Across the country, several hundred thousand panchayats represent local voters, develop plans for social and economic development, manage funds and undertake projects. As per the Constitution of India, they are able to directly work in 29 demarcated areas. A key feature is that the government has mandated one-third of panchayat members to be women, with the result that one million women have been thus empowered. Initially viewed with suspicion, women panchayat members have taken up the development agenda in a committed manner, relevant to their own particular electorates.
Apart from elections, India has built up strong institutions that support democracy. Its judicial system allows for rule of law and recourse to justice. Courts at all levels, including special and fast-track courts, hear petitioners and dispense judgments. The media includes a large number of 24-hour news channels and a multitude of newspapers and journals representing each regional language. Often vocal and noisy, the media is one of the main sentinels of our democratic process.
Human rights are protected by the National Human Rights Commission , an independent body well supported by numerous civil rights activists and groups. Minority group interests are looked after by the national commissions for minorities, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. The relatively recent Right to Information Act is a milestone legislation for transparency and accountability in governance processes. Regulators and government auditors examine economic transactions in a fair and independent manner.
With the aid of technology, India is putting in place e-governance systems that have made delivery of public goods and services more efficient and transparent. Almost every state offers certain services through electronic platforms. The Unique Identification Authority has rolled out the first electronic ID cards and expects to offer a number of social services through smart applications. The UID project over the coming two to three years, in fact, promises to be a game changer in governance in India.
The Indian governance system is federal, with responsibilities clearly demarcated among central and state governments. While defence, foreign relations and economic management, among other areas, rest with the central government, crucial sectors such as law and order, education, agricultural and rural development and health are the responsibility of the state governments. This allows state governments to experiment with novel ideas so that a number of initiatives are underway at the same time. For example, in Bihar, the offer of free bicycles for girls attending secondary school has been so successful that it is being replicated in several other states. With this freedom, some states such as Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, among others, have built enviable investment environments, while others are vying with each other to attract investments.
Today, India can claim stability of government, continuity of policies, strategies and agendas, and a strong mandate for inclusive growth. The strength and resilience of its democracy not only articulates the aspirations of the people, but also sustains an investor-friendly business climate. Institutional capacity has been developed also in the many industry associations such as the Confederation of Indian Industry, which can consolidate and articulate the views of industry and work with government for a friendly policy framework.
With a multiplicity of views and a plethora of opinions, decision-making may often appear to be slow. Implementation, transparency and accountability need considerable improvement. For instance, a number of Bills were held up in Parliament in the last months of 2010. At the same time, allegations of misdemeanours and corruption vitiated the atmosphere. But it is worth remembering that the institutional mechanisms for uncovering and dealing with such matters are strong and effective.
More important, the governance agenda is constantly evolving and there is high awareness of the need for a more responsive, effective and transparent process. In the final analysis, India's growth process under a democratic government is a sustainable, humane and just path to development.
The writer is former president, CII, and chairman, Bajaj Auto Limited.
Read more: Just Path To Development - The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/Just-Path-To-Development/articleshow/7335278.cms#ixzz1BhbAC33Q
