Syllabus
GS Paper 2 – Important aspects of governance; Transparency and accountability (institutional and other measures)
Applications where to apply?
When asked about
– Parliamentary reforms
– Effective governance
– Skill development of political representatives
Context
Competency needs to be one of the central pillars of political discourse
Source
The Hindu| Editorial dated 9th May 2024
The era of the politics of performance
India’s democratic fabric thrives on the active participation of its elected representatives, who play a pivotal role in formulating policies and addressing the needs of the populace. As the nation embraces globalization and technological advancements, the competency of these representatives becomes increasingly crucial.
Data point
India has 795 Members of Parliament (MPs), approximately 4,123 Members of the Legislative Assemblies (MLAs), and about 31.8 lakh elected representatives in local governments.
Approximately 75% of Lok Sabha members (MPs) and nearly 64% of MLAs are graduates.
Competencies Required for Elected Representatives
- Behavioural Skills:
- Effective communication, both verbal and written, to engage with various stakeholders.
- Strong leadership and negotiation skills to unite diverse teams and manage stakeholders effectively.
- Examples: Success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan with involvement of women panchayati raj leaders.
- Functional Competencies:
- Understanding of legislative processes and rules to intervene effectively in Parliament and State Assemblies.
- Ability to monitor policy implementation, provide suggestions, and ensure efficient allocation of budgets.
- Examples:
- MP raising issue of tobacco promotion on OTT platforms leading to policy change ;
- Private Member’s Bill advocating for transgender rights resulting in legislation.
- Domain-based Competencies:
- Deep understanding of specific domains relevant to their constituencies, such as healthcare policy or urban planning.
- Awareness of latest technological advancements and their implications on public services and economic growth.
- Examples: Individuals shaping policies like Digital Personal Data Protection Act and Mental Healthcare Act through domain expertise.
Institutionalising Competency-based Politics
- Alignment with Karmayogi Competency Model:
- Identify skill gaps and evolve training needs through comprehensive consultations with stakeholders.
- Develop robust capacity-building plans encompassing orientation programmes, workshops, and mentorship initiatives.
- Conduct regular impact assessments to gauge the effectiveness of training interventions and make necessary adjustments.
- Leveraging Existing Resources:
- Harness resources from central and State training institutions and civil society organizations to bolster training and research support.
- Ensure seamless access to vital information and research assistance for elected representatives at every tier of governance.
- Shift in Public Perception:
- Encourage citizens to demand heightened accountability from elected officials, extending beyond mere manifesto pledges.
- Emphasize effective leadership and societal impact as paramount metrics for evaluating political success.
- Advocate for civic education programs to empower citizens with the knowledge and tools to actively engage in political discourse.
Conclusion
Institutionalizing a competency-based approach to politics is vital for advancing India’s democratic ideals and achieving sustainable development goals. By empowering elected representatives with the requisite skills and knowledge, we can enhance policy formulation, strengthen public service delivery, and promote citizen engagement in governance processes.
Related Topics
Mission Karmayogi
- Mission Karmayogi, also known as the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB), is aimed at preparing Civil Servants for the future.
- The primary objective is to make civil servants more creative, constructive, and innovative through transparency and technology.
- The program intends to lay the foundation for civil servants across the country.
- There will be a significant emphasis on “on-site learning” to complement traditional “off-site learning” methods.
- Approved by the Government on 2nd September 2020, the NPCSCB comprises six key pillars:
- Policy Framework
- Institutional Framework
- Competency Framework
- Digital Learning Framework (iGOT-Karmayogi)
- Electronic Human Resource Management System (e-HRMS)
- Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
- The NPCSCB is designed to cover all civil servants, including contractual employees, across various ministries, departments, organizations, and agencies of the Union Government
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References
Related PYQ
“Effectiveness of the government system at various levels and people’s participation in the governance system are inter-dependent.” Discuss their relationship with each other in context of India. [ UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2016]
Practice Question
Discuss the significance of competency-based politics in advancing governance effectiveness. [150 words]