MGP 2023 (Cohort 4)

Half length Test #4 - Solution

Instruction to Students

Answers provided in this booklet exceed the word limit so as to also act as source of good
notes on the topic.

Candidates must focus on the keywords mentioned in the answers and build answers
around them. Elaborate answers are given with the purpose that candidates understand
the topic better.

We have also adopted a grey box approach to provide context wherever necessary, which
is not to be considered a part of the answer.

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Q.1) What are civil society organizations (CSOs)? Discuss their role as developmental partners of the
government and highlight the concerns associated with their functioning.

Approach- Introduce the answer by explaining the meaning of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). In the
body of the answer discuss in detail the ways in which CSOs act as the developmental partner of the
government, elaborating with suitable examples. In the next part of the body discuss the concerns associated
with the functioning of the CSOs. Add examples where necessary. Conclude the answer highlighting the
importance of effective coordination between the government and the CSOs also briefly mentioning the ways
for the same.

Civil society organization (CSOs) is an umbrella term used for voluntary, not-for-profit organizations
working outside the ambit of government for the general public welfare and social cause. It broadly
includes community groups, NGOs, philanthropic organizations etc., which work as the developmental
partner of the government in the following ways:
1. CSOs with grassroot connect provide real time data, helping in identifying target population and
assessment of schemes. E.g., ASER survey by Pratham.
2. CSOs are often the first responders in emergency situations, providing human resource,
logistical support etc., Eg: NGOs like Hindrise and Care India work to serve the needy in events
of disasters.
3. CSOs extends aid to the vulnerable sections of the society which often escape the governance
radar. Eg: India Vision Foundation works for welfare of prison inmates.
4. CSOs actively partner with the government in furthering the cause of social justice and social
reforms. Eg: DNF fights against caste-based discrimination, Ramkrishna welfare foundation
works for rehabilitation of drug addicts.
5. CSOs bring innovation and novelty in their way of approaching the problems of the region. Eg:
Development Alternatives, a CSO, helps to eliminate poverty and regenerate environmental
resource base by creating low emission building materials.
6. CSOs act as the bridge between the government and citizens by ensuring that the benefits of the
schemes of government reach the needy. E.g., during the Covid-19 crisis several NGOs worked for
delivering medicines and rations to the poor.

Though CSOs have played an exemplary role as the developmental partner of the government there
remain some concerns associated with their functioning as:
1. Several CSOs suffer from gross financial mismanagement of funds and fail to comply with the law
of the land. Eg: according to CBI only 10% NGOs have filed financial details with the government.
2. It is seen that a few NGOs, motivated politically, act as the barrier in the development initiatives
of the government E.g., Narmada Bachao Andolan.
3. Many NGOs have been accused of engaging in corrupt activities and collecting funds through
fraudulent means. Eg: In 2015 the FCRA registration of Greenpeace was cancelled.
4. CSOs' alleged role of engaging in information warfare against the government and the country
by manipulating public opinions led the NSA to call them the new frontier of war.
5. The working of some CSOs undermines the larger national interest through their protests which
have bearings of inimical foreign interests. Eg: NGOs protesting against Kudankulam nuclear
plant

Effective coordination is required between the CSOs and the government to build an ecosystem of
developmental partnerships. While CSOs should align their work in larger national interest, government
should practice restraint and extend necessary policy support. (440 words)

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Q.2) How does citizen’s charter ensure transparency and accountability in the administration? How far
has it been able to make administration citizen centric?

Approach- Introduce the answer by briefly defining the citizen’s charter and its objectives. In the body of the
answer discuss in detail how citizen’s charter helps in making the administration accountable and citizen
centric. In the next part of the body discuss various shortcomings in the citizen’s charter. In the last part of
the body discuss in detail ways to make the charter more responsive and effective. Conclude the answer by
reiterating the importance of the charter and making a case for adopting global best practices.

Citizen’s Charter is a voluntary, non-binding document of commitments made by a government

organization to the citizens in respect to services being provided to them. It outlines vision and mission
statement of the organization, and strives to make the administration accountable in following ways:
1. Citizen’s Charter set a measurable standard of service, allowing high expectations from an
organisation, pushing them to work diligently.
2. Citizen’s charter promotes participative governance by making citizens aware of the aims and
goals of the organization and facilitating a feedback mechanism.
3. Citizen’s charter makes provisions for time bound delivery of services, thus ensuring
accountability by cutting into bureaucratic delays.
4. Citizen’s charter promotes transparency in governance by clearly defining the process of service
delivery, thus reducing the element of discretion.
5. Citizen’s charter provides for grievance redressal thus giving citizens a recourse against poor
service.
6. Citizen’s charter streamlines the process of service delivery making the organization efficient
and cost effective.

Though Citizen’s charter intends to make administration citizen centric, there remains some challenges
such as:
1. The content, language and design are not user friendly which makes it difficult to understand.
Ex. Charters are often not available in regional languages, creating a linguistic barrier.
2. It is observed that in majority of cases the citizen’s charter is not formulated through a
consultative process, resulting in a copy paste charter for every department/organization.
3. The service providers, especially at the cutting-edge level, are not familiar with the philosophy,
goals and features of the charter.
4. Poor awareness about the charter among the public makes it reach limited.
5. Charters are not updated in a timely manner, failing to reflect the aspirations of the changing
society.

In order to make citizen’s charter more responsive and effective following steps need to be taken:
1. Consumer groups, CSOs, etc., stakeholders should be involved at every stage of formulation of
the citizen’s charter.
2. The language and design of the charter should be easily comprehensible. Charter should be made
disabled friendly. Eg: Charter should be brought in braille system.
3. Orientation and training of the staff about the features and requirements of the charter.
4. Citizen’s charter should be publicised through hoardings, pamphlets, text messages etc.
5. Third party involvement in assessing the charter and revising it periodically.
6. To make the charter more effective it can be given a binding character through legal backing.
Citizen’s charter plays an important role in bridging the information gap between the citizens and the
government. Its efficacy can be improved by adopting the global best practices and implementing the
sevottam model as proposed by the 2nd ARC. (437 words)

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Q.3) Right to Information (RTI) is considered a sunshine legislation but is not without its own challenges.
Highlighting the changes made by RTI (Amendment) Act 2019, discuss the statement.

Approach- Introduce the answer by describing RTI. Mention why RTI is considered a sunshine legislation.
List points highlighting the role of RTI as a sunshine legislation. Mention the challenges faced by RTI,
prioritizing impact from changes made by the 2019 amendment. Conclude by highlighting the need to
preserve culture of transparency and institutional independence.

Right to Information (RTI) is an Act of the parliament which confers entitlements upon citizens to seek
information from a public office in a time-bound manner. RTI is considered a ‘sunshine legislation’ for
bringing about a culture of transparency and disclosure in place of a culture of secrecy in government
offices.
The RTI Act plays the role of sunshine legislation in the following manner:
1. RTI has institutionalised transparency through a public information officer in every public office,
prescribed time limit for providing information and grievance redressal mechanism.
2. Suo moto disclosures under Section 4 of RTI has resulted in proactive disclosures, making public
offices more transparent, while also preventing RTI applications from becoming an administrative
burden.
3. RTI has helped to create an active citizenry which can hold government agencies accountable
for delivering entitlements such as public services, scholarships, pensions etc.
4. RTI has helped to shed light on corruption such as Adarsh Society Scam, 2G scam etc.
5. RTI has given a fillip to civil society organizations in holding the government answerable for
improving the lot of the poor through transparency about outlays and outcomes.

Despite RTI’s salutary impact as a sunshine legislation, the Act is also faced with following challenges:
1. The changes brought about by RTI (Amendment) Act 2019 have undermined independence of
Central and State ICs by making the terms of their office subject to Union executive’s rules instead
of legislative provisions.
2. The Act gives central government power to notify tenure and salaries, which may lead to arbitrary
removal, extension, lure of changes in remuneration. This can result in politicization of the ICs.
3. Control of central government over SICs goes against federal spirit. It could reduce the status of
SICs from a transparency watchdog to centre's handmaiden.
4. There is large pendency of appeals before the ICs due to denial of information by PIOs. It is often
seen that ICs are sympathetic to the officials. Enforcement of CIC’s decisions remain pending due
to challenge in courts.
5. Whistle-blower protection is a challenge. As per Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, more
than 85 RTI activists have been killed since the enactment of the Act in 2005.
6. National security exemption under section 8 of RTI is overused as a blanket criterion to reject
requests for information. Frivolous requests also tend to overburden government offices
affecting their ability to do regular administrative work.

RTI has brought about a shift in administrative culture of secrecy, but much needs to be done to preserve
the culture of transparency. Public officials need to be bound by an oath of transparency as
recommended by the 2nd ARC, while government interference in transparency should be curtailed for
institutional independence. (448 words)

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Q.4) Good governance has become synonymous with policy decisions driven by real time data. Analyze
the significance of e-governance in improving developmental policies. 10 marks.

Approach- Start by defining e-governance. Briefly describe the functioning of real time data-driven e-
governance. Create a schematic to show transformational potential of data-driven e-governance. In body,
mention point-wise the different ways in which data-driven e-governance improves development policies.
Lastly, mention issues with e-governance. Conclude with need for efforts to improve e-governance based on
the mantra of ‘data of the people, for the people, by the people.’

E-governance is the process of carrying out the functions of governance using information and
communication technologies. Use of real-time data for governance is a technological revolution within
the sphere of e-governance.
Government and its agencies have vast amount of diverse data relating to taxation, businesses,
agriculture, demography, etc. Data-driven architecture of e-governance collates disparate data to
produce actionable outputs that improve policies across domains as discussed below:
1. Continuous performance
monitoring and course
correction is facilitated
when policies are informed
by ground-level data. E.g.,
Aspirational Districts
Programme’s use of 49 key
performance indicators
helps administrators in
improving performance of
poor performing districts.
2. Economy and efficiency of
government policies is Figure 1: Significance of e-governance in data-driven governance
ensured through data-driven
delivery mechanisms. For example: JAM trinity for direct benefit transfers has provided greater
inclusion, plugged holes in leakage of subsidies and reduced corruption.
3. In disaster management, use of real-time data improves the speed of decision-making which can
make a difference of life and death for many. For example, planning rescue operations during
cyclones and floods with real-time monitoring of weather.
4. Greater institutional capacity is created through technological solutions. E.g., CoWIN for
vaccination registration or Arogya Setu for contact-tracing.
5. It improves economic planning and resource mobilization. For example, e-filings on Goods and
Services Tax Network as a reliable high-frequency indicator to monitor the health of the economy,
use of geo-spatial data for measuring urbanization and property tax assessment.
6. It helps to bring change in work culture in government offices, through reducing absenteeism,
time-bound delivery of services, and improved accountability. For example, online attendance
systems and online-tracking of delivery of services.
7. Timely approval and monitoring of projects and policies has been facilitated by e-governance
initiatives such as PRAGATI.

While e-governance provides the advantages of convenience, efficiency and transparency, it also has
following problems associated with it:
1. Lack of digital literacy and language barriers create exclusion, undermining the effectiveness of
e-governance. E.g., elderly people find Jeevan Praman difficult to use.

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2. Lack of accessibility to internet or a digital device is a disadvantage for real-time data-based e-

governance. For example, disruption of electricity and internet during a natural disaster.
3. Risk of personal data theft, leakages and surveillance by ‘the big brother state’ creates distrust in
using digital services. For example, on linking Aadhaar with voter ids.
E-Governance can shape effective governance policies through real – time public data for public good. As
highlighted by the Economic Survey 2018-19, data ‘of the people, by the people, for the people’ must be
the mantra for the government as it addresses issues in data-governance to deliver good governance. (436
words)

Q.5) Microfinance is surest way to break the vicious cycle of poverty and unemployment. Do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer.

Approach- Start by defining micro-finance. Mention the role of microfinance in helping the poor break free
of the poverty-unemployment cycle. In the body, list the ways in which microfinance helps the poor come out
of poverty—unemployment cycle. Next, mention limitations and challenges of microfinance in helping the
poor. Conclude by mentioning the need for scalable solutions to catalyze entrepreneurship at the bottom of
the social pyramid.

Microfinance refers to small loans and other financial services designed, specifically for poor and low-
income households who face difficulties in accessing formal finance. RBI has defined microfinance as any
collateral-free loan provided to a borrower with annual household income of up to ₹3 lakh. Also,
repayments during the year cannot exceed 50 per cent of the annual household income.
Microfinance is an economic tool designed to promote financial inclusion which enables the poor to
break-free of the poverty-unemployment
cycle, in following ways:
1. Microfinance increases income-
generating activities among the
poor. For example, in Bangladesh,
Grameen Foundation has helped
women escape poverty by supporting
income-generating ventures like
tailoring, weaving etc.
2. Empowerment of women through
dedicated MFIs and SHGs has wider
implications for improvements in
social indicators like health and
education. It builds human capital
which is crucial to break free of poverty- Figure 1: Breaking the Poverty – Unemployment Cycle
unemployment cycle.
3. Microfinance helps the poor in building resilience against unexpected economic shocks or health
emergencies. This protects the poor from falling back into the poverty trap.
4. Microfinance gives poor access to institutional credit, which enables them to escape the clutches
of loan sharks and their high interest rates.
5. Microfinance creates entrepreneurial synergies by bringing together people with common
interests and diverse capabilities, such as through SHGs. In the process, it helps to address issues
like lack of jobs, migration etc.
6. High repayment rates of microfinance make it a sustainable channel for financial inclusion of
the underserved and vulnerable sections.

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Despite its numerous advantages, microfinance also suffers from challenges, such as:
1. Interest rates are high. The social pressure and shame associated with default has led to problems
like secondary debt and suicides.
2. Microfinance operates very much within the patriarchal system. For example, microfinance funds
are used to send husbands or sons abroad for work, while the woman is saddled with debt.
3. Many of the microfinance loans are used for non-income generating purposes, including for
dowry payments or to pay off unpaid debt.
4. Covid-19 has reduced the capability of the poor to pay-back loans, leading to defaults.
5. Microfinance penetration is much lower in rural India. There is also a regional divide with eastern
parts of the country lagging behind.
Microfinance is a promising model to help the poor escape poverty-unemployment through creation of
economic and social good. The inherent challenges need to be addressed to create innovative financial
products and scalable solutions to catalyze entrepreneurship at the bottom of the pyramid as a way to
break the poverty-unemployment cycle. (424 words)

Q.6) An archaic and obsolete edifice of civil services does not augur well for a welfare state. Examine the
various issues surrounding the civil services in the country. What suggestions would you make for their
reform?

Approach- Introduce the answer by explaining civil services. In the introduction itself talk about some broad
achievements of civil services. In the body of the answer discuss the shortcomings in the functioning of the
civil services. In the next part of the body suggest ways to reform the civil services. In both part of the main
body, support your contentions with examples. Conclude your answer by highlighting the importance of civil
service and the need for having emotionally intelligent civil servants.

Civil Services in India refers to career government services manned by the permanent executive of the
country. Civil services have been instrumental in transforming a colonial system of government into a
welfare one. A steel frame of governance it has ensured years of stability through smooth transitions of
governments. However, the civil services in contemporary times have displayed certain shortcomings
such as:
1. A generalist civil service, is criticized for being unable to meet challenges thrown by a specialized
socio-economic set up. Eg: a generalist civil servant may not be suited for the specialized role of
the governor of RBI.
2. Political interference in guise of plum postings and punishment transfers keeps civil servants
from achieving their full potential and also promotes a culture of corruption/quid pro quo. E.g:
corruption case involving UP engineer, Yadav Singh.
3. It is argued that overemphasis on laws and rules over principals and situational aspects, creates
bureaucratic red tapes leading to time and cost overrun of projects. Eg: Union transport minister
criticized NHAI officers for taking 9 years for constructing a government building.
4. Absence of an objective system of assessment leads to a poor work culture that incentivizes
lethargy and overlooks good work. Eg: ensured career progression (cylindrical system where the
whole batch is promoted) irrespective of merit and performance.
5. The civil service has displayed inertia to change with the changing socio-economic conditions.
Eg: low technological intervention in governance.
6. Civil servants exhibit apathy towards the needs of the citizens due to multiple reasons including
permanency of their post as well as heavy workload due to high number of vacancies (IAS alone
has 22% vacancy). Eg: DM in north-east slapping citizens for violation of covid19 regulations.

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To protect the grand structure of the civil services and make it resilient to contemporary challenges, there
is a need to undertake comprehensive reforms:
1. In order to face the contemporary challenges in a sophisticated knowledge economy there is a
need to bring domain experts into the civil service through the provisions of lateral entry. Eg:
Nandan Nilekani’s appointment to oversee the rollout of Aadhar.
2. The civil services are required to adapt to the technological advancements in line with
recommendations of Hota committee to make government more accessible, transparent and
effective. Eg: digital India initiative, PAHAL, CSC etc.
3. The vacancies should be filled in a timely manner to de-burden a top-heavy bureaucracy. Eg:
Baswan committee (2016) recommended yearly assessment of the requirement for civil servants.
Also, timely promotion should be given to officers of provincial services.
4. Training and capacity building of civil servants is required to equip them with the capacities to
fulfill their responsibilities. Eg: mission Karam yogi is a step in the right direction.
5. Periodic appraisal of the civil servants should be done to promote a healthy work culture,
rewarding good performance and punishing non-performers. Eg: government forcibly retiring 27
IRS officers facing corruption and other charges.
6. Civil services should be made immune to illegitimate political interference and corruption to
create an upright bureaucracy.
Civil servants act as agents of socio-economic change responsible for delivering the welfare policies.
Thus, there is a need to build an emotionally intelligent civil service capable of performing its duties with
empathy and sensitivity towards the citizens in spirit of the sevottam model proposed by 2nd ARC. (550
words)

Q.7) An independent and unbiased media is critical in a democracy for holding the government
accountable by educating, informing and mobilizing the public. Discuss.

Approach- Introduce the answer by explaining the role of an independent media in ensuring accountability
and transparency in governance. In the body of the answer discuss in detail the ways in which media ensures
the accountability of the government. In the next part of the body discuss the reasons for criticism of media.
In the last part of the body discuss ways to prevent misuse of media and ensure media plurality. Conclude
the answer by giving a historical perspective on the importance of media and suggesting ways to tackle
misuse of media.

An independent and unbiased media with freedom of expression is considered as the 4th pillar of
democracy. It makes the governance transparent by informing citizens about government acts, policies
and inefficiencies, and enhances its accountability by:
1. Revealing malpractices in governance by providing people with impartial information. Ex-
Contractor death in Karnataka, reported by media led to resignation of minister.
2. Acts as an educator to the citizens enhancing their ability to hold the government accountable.
Example- media actively reported about vaccine mismanagement during the covid19 crisis.
3. Impartial reporting by media aids in administration of justice in matters where the administration
displays inactivity/insensitivity. Ex- SC took suo-moto cognizance of Lakhimpur violence by
media reports.
4. Media plays an active role in mobilising the people for social causes making governments
responsive. Ex- role of media in popularising IAC movement resulting in Lokpal act.
5. Media’s oversight on important public dealings makes the governments accountable for the acts
of impropriety. Ex- Bofors scandal brought into light by media.
6. Media serves to popularize different government policies and initiatives for the public welfare,
thus reaching the last mile. Ex - Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

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Despite stellar contribution in building a democratic framework, functioning of media is hampered by noisy
journalism and is criticised for:
1. Paid news compromises the integrity of media reporting. Between 2009 and 2013, the ECI
detected more than 1,400 instances of paid news.
2. Media houses sponsored by corporate corporations reduces the scope for impartial coverage.
3. Yellow journalism aims at sensationalization of news by manufacturing issues to get TRPs. Ex.
coverage of Sushant Singh Rajput case. Also, ideologically motivated media, divided in two camps
is often a cause for aggravating communal strife.
4. Self-regulating body such as the PCI has limited authority to regulate the press.
5. Burgeoning digital media, facing stiff competition from social media, has started a vicious race to
break the news multiplying the spread of fake news manifold. Ex- Fake news like 2000 rupee note
has chip embedded in it.
6. Media trials disrupt the course of investigations and leads to defamation of the accused. Ex-
Drug trials involving celebrities and their relatives.

In order to build an ecosystem for media plurality and to check the misuse of media platforms following
steps are solicited:
1. The Press Council of India (PCI), should be accorded with powers to award stringent punishment
for violations of its guidelines. Suggestion of ex-PCI chief Justice Katju to bring television and
radios within the ambit of PCI should be considered.
2. News Broadcasters Association (NBA) should be accorded statutory powers to enforce code of
ethics/conduct. Ex. Reporting of sensitive matters like 26/11 should be disallowed.
3. Cross ownership of media houses should be checked in order to enhance editorial freedom.
4. Unnecessary gagging of media should be restrained. Ex. NE journalists booked under UAPA,
contempt of court against two journalists of Shillong times by Meghalaya HC.
Media played a pioneering role in educating and mobilising people during the freedom movement,
however, misuse of media platforms for fake news, motivated reporting etc., in present times require
institutional checks as well as critical thinking on part of viewers. (526 words).

Q.8) Social audit is a decisive tool to make government programmes responsive to people’s aspirations.
Examine the status of social audit in India. In what ways can social audits be made more effective?

Approach- Start by describing social audit. Mention how it makes government programmes responsive to
people’s aspirations. In the body, write points describing various elements of social audit in India. Next,
mention the challenges faced by social audit. List measures to make social audit more effective. Conclude by
highlighting need for institutionalisation and capacity building.

Social Audit refers to the examination of a government programme through active involvement of people,
especially the intended beneficiaries. It involves comparing the official records with actual ground realities.
Social audit is decisive tool in governance which promotes transparency, accountability and people’s
participation, making the government and its programmes responsive to people’s aspirations.

The system of social audits in India constitutes of following aspects:

1. Programmes like MGNREGA and NFSA provide legal basis for social audit. E.g., mandatory social
audit of the progress and quality of work done under MGNREGA.
2. Comptroller & Auditor General has prescribed standards for conducting social audit.
3. In the Swaraj Abhiyan Case 2015, the Supreme Court held that social audit of government
programmes should be done by independent societies. E.g., Society for Social Audit, Accountability
and Transparency in Rajasthan.

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4. Meghalaya has passed the Meghalaya Community Participation and Public Services Social Audit
Act 2017 to provide legal backing to social audit. The Act mandates social audits across 21 schemes
and 11 departments.
5. In Chhattisgarh, apart from MGNREGA, social audit team also collects complaints regarding
other issues and hands it over to the Sarpanch.

The system of social audit in India suffers from certain challenges, as discussed below:
1. The implementing agencies induce delays in social audit such as failure to provide documents on
time, not sending independent observers etc.
2. Due to lack of legal and institutional backing of national and state laws, the social audit institutions
like social audit units (SAUs) and independent societies are underdeveloped and scant.
3. There is lack of adequate administrative and political will in institutionalising social audit.
4. People’s participation suffers due to the lack of capacity building and training for conducting
social audits. There is also lack of meaningful implications of social audits, creating disinterest
among people.
5. There is a general lack of awareness about social audits.
6. Sporadic and ad hoc auditing by NGOs or CSOs fails to make social audit a people’s movement.

Following measures can be taken to make social audit more effective:

1. Reduce political interference by following strict and transparent process for selection of director
and members of SAUs.
2. A resource hub should be constituted under the National Institute of Rural Development and
Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR) to provide assistance to Social Audit Units in training support,
monitoring and evaluation.
3. As recommended by the 2nd ARC, social audits should be conducted more frequently and
regularly (every six month) in every gram panchayat.
4. Social audits should be given legal backing by state governments through law, guidelines and rules,
such as making social audits mandatory for all government programmes.
5. Digitalization of social audit process through video conferences, audio-visual information on
gram Sabha portal etc. can increase participation.
6. In Jharkhand, the public hearings are heard by juries with PRI and CSO members. A cultural
workshop for ‘Information, Education and Communication’ activities is conducted. Such efforts
need to be replicated.
Social audit is an important tool for democratic country like India, providing for ‘people’s audit’ over acts
and obligations of authorities. The system of social audits needs to be strengthened through capacity
building and institutionalisation of standards and practices to make it an effective tool for democratic
accountability. (541 words)

Q.9) NGOs have filled the developmental space vacated by the government, however, adversarial
relations and trust deficit between the NGOs and the government need to be smoothened to deliver
sustainable social development. Discuss with special reference to Foreign Contribution (Regulation)
Amendment Act, 2020.

Approach- Start by describing NGOs and their complementary role in development. In points, describe the
role of NGO in various sectors where role of government seems to be lacking. Describe adversarial relation
between the NGOs and the government using example. Write points highlighting changes in FCRA that reflect
lack of trust, follow it up with a section with points on need to bridge the trust deficit. Conclude by
mentioning need to address issues in working of NGOS for a transparent development partnership.

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NGOs are non-profit, voluntary, citizen-based organizations that function independently of the
government in pursuit of a public interest. NGOs often fill in for the development roles where government
seems to be missing out, creating collaborative possibilities between government and NGOs.
Role of NGO in filling the developmental space vacated by the government is as follows:
1. NGOs work to raise awareness against environmental degradation and depletion of resources.
2. They help in rehabilitation of displaced people from construction of dams, road highways etc. E.g.,
Vanashakti NGO.
3. In rural areas, NGOs like Swades Foundation educate farmers by guiding them about the advanced
farming techniques, cost saving methods and use of high yielding variety seeds.
4. NGOs play an active role in eradicating deadly diseases such as through their participation in polio
eradication drive, TB eradication etc. NGOs such as NACO help patients suffering from AIDS and
HIV to lead a normal life.
5. NGOs help in relief operations during disasters such as in the floods in Chennai or the
Uttarakhand landslide. During Covid-19 Pandemic, NGOs have helped to save lives through
distribution of masks, sanitisers, ration or by organizing vaccination drives.

Despite NGOs important role in assisting development, there is an evident distrust between NGOs and the
government. For example, activists of an NGO Pinjra Tod were arrested for their involvement in CAA riots.
The adversarial relation and trust deficit between the NGOs and the government is reflected in 2020
amendments to the FCRA, as discussed below:
1. As per the 2020 amendments to FCRA, NGOs are required to have an account at the Delhi Branch
of State Bank of India, a government-owned bank to receive foreign funds. This reflects
government’s distrust regarding sources of funding in NGOs.
2. The 2020 amendment prohibits NGOs from transferring FCRA funds to any other organization
or person, reflecting suspicion regarding use of FCRA funds. Administrative expenses have been
capped at 20% (50% earlier).
3. The amended FCRA gives government powers to stop an NGO from utilization of foreign funds by
putting the account under ‘summary inquiry’.
4. The office bearers are required to provide Aadhaar card, or passport details (for foreigners). This
will provide government a database of persons in control of NGOs receiving foreign contributions.

However, there is need to smoothen the adversarial relation and trust deficit between NGOs and
government due to following reasons:
1. New rules such as capping of administrative expenditure at 20% has made many of the manpower-
heavy NGOs unviable.
2. Restrictions on transfer of funds puts hurdles in collaboration between larger NGOs and local
grassroot organizations.
3. Excessive government control, surveillance and fear of persecution may deter motivated people
from volunteering for social cause.
4. In guise of humanitarian aid, many NGOs are seen to work for vested interests. Some social
activists have been linked with anti-state activities, such as the Elgar Parishad case. Such activities
not only create social harm but also harm credibility of NGOs working for social good.
5. NGO play impactful development role in their work among women and marginalized sections
through motivated functionaries. They act as safety valve of democracy by becoming the voice of
the unheard.
Development process is strengthened when NGOs collaborate constructively with government. Issues in
working of NGOs should be addressed suitably to make way for transparent development partnership
under a clearly defined National Policy for Voluntary Sector. (560 words)

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Q.10) Dual control of All India Services often becomes a cause for federal tensions. Explain the rationale
behind adopting such a system. Also, evaluate the changes proposed by the central government in March
2022 in the IAS (Cadre) Rules, 1954.

Approach- Introduce by describing All India services and the system of dual control. Mention the requirement
on members of AIS to serve under state as well as center. In body, list the benefits provided by control of
center and state over AIS in a table. Lis the benefits and issues arising from the proposed changes in IAS
cadre rules. Conclude with an emphasis to check politically motivated transfers.

All India Services (AIS) refer to services common to Union and the states, namely the Indian Administrative
Service, the Indian Police Service and the Indian Forest Service. One of the unique features of AIS is the
system of dual control under which the members of these services are recruited by the Central
Government while they are placed under various State Cadres. The officers of the AIS are required to serve
under State as well as Centre. To ensure this, suitable provisions are provided under the IAS (Cadre) Rules,
1954.

The system of dual control, wherein state as well as center exercises influence over AIS, offers the
following advantages:

Benefits of Center’s control Benefits of states’ control

1. It helps maintain All-India character of the 1. It gives officers field experience of ground
services which is necessary to maintain unity realities, needs and issues in policy
and integrity of the nation. implementation
2. It provides the center with the best talent from 2. It builds the capacity among bureaucrats to
states for national roles. work closely with the political class and
3. It helps to insulate bureaucracy from pressures maneuver their way through political
of state politics. exigencies.
4. It provides the officers of AIS with opportunity to 3. It ensures a minimal level of good
build capacities through work in international governance especially in states with poor
organizations like UN, WTO, WHO etc. socio-economic profiles.

The system of dual control offers advantages of central as well as states’ control over AIS. Officers bring
field experience for informed policy making at center, while center’s influence protects the officers from
political persecution in their work under state governments.
The changes proposed by Government of India, in March 2022, in the IAS (Cadre) Rules have following
benefits and issues:

Benefits Issues
1. As per changes proposed in IAS cadre rules, in 1. Unilateral changes in the cadre rules
case of any disagreement over deputation, the undermine the spirit of cooperative
matter shall be decided by the Centre. It helps to federalism.
fill in vacancies for policy making roles in central 2. The state has only an advisory role in
government. decision making. This undermines the
2. The number of officers to be deputed to the authority of the state government over the
Central Government is decided by the Centre in officers of AIS.
consultation with the state government 3. Central deputation creates multiple vacant
concerned. It addresses the issue of states posts under state government which impacts
governments not allocating the required number administration negatively, especially in an
of officers for central deputation. under-governed country like India.

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3. Greater number of central deputations breaks 4. Experts have suggested that cadre rules are
the culture of power and corruption among being changed due to political vendetta. For
bureaucrats, which state-level politics tends to example, conflicts between West Bengal
cultivate. government and Center about deputation of
4. Center can utilize the diverse field experience IPS officers.
of officers under various state governments.

Dual control enhances the capacity of officers as well as the office held by members of the AIS. The system
of dual control is an instrument of cooperation and control between the center and states. Steps are needed
to check politically motivated transfers to address federal tensions. (544 words)

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