“Reform is not the end in itself. Reform for me is just a way station on the long journey to the destination. The destination is the transformation of India”

– Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The nation's attitude toward development and growth has altered as a result of policy pronouncements that are mixed with decision that are quite reformative. To rescue the nation's economy from a condition of policy gridlock, Prime Minister Modi has driven through a number of changes. Apathetic governance, high inflation, and a low growth rate were all burdens that the NDA government had to deal with. Exports were going south, which nearly caused stagnation in industrial output. By introducing initiatives like Make-in-India, which encourage lowering rules and enhancing the ease of doing business, a voice is set for development and progress. The government wanted to entice foreign corporations to establish manufacturing facilities in India. 

Start-up India: The Government of India began an initiative in January 2016 to support and promote entrepreneurs across the nation. The initiative seeks to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and the development of a supportive environment for startups. The process of obtaining and improving the abilities, information, and competences required for job, entrepreneurship, and personal development is referred to as skill development. It is an essential component of building human capital and has a big impact on increasing economic productivity, lowering unemployment, and fostering inclusive growth. 

The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) or Mudra the Government of India announced the Scheme initiative in April 2015. The program aims to support financially and foster entrepreneurship among the nation's micro and small businesses. Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency is known as "MUDRA." The Mudra Scheme's main goal is to provide financial support to non-corporate, small enterprises like service providers, shopkeepers, traders, and small manufacturing units. 

The Indian government launched the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) financial inclusion program in 2013 with the goal of directly transferring subsidies and benefits to eligible beneficiaries' bank accounts. DBT's main goals include minimizing leaks, getting rid of middlemen, ensuring that government welfare payments are distributed more effectively and transparently to the intended recipients, and many more. 

Whether or not it was repealing Article 370, immunizing a billion people, outperforming in extremely difficult conditions, outlawing triple talaq, or placing the groundwork for the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, it has exceeded all of its own expectations. India achieved enormous goals for rural electrification and cutting-edge infrastructure while ensuring that everyone has access to basic services, such as food and healthcare. On the one hand, the country documented the greatest number of exports in history and gave birth to a digital revolution that is multiplying faster than one can blink. If the resolution of "nation-first" is applied fully, political discourse and policy enforcement may be a match made in heaven while remaining faithful to "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas" 

Public service delivery and operation have undergone a profound paradigm shift. We have observed the removal of obstacles. And we have seen the drive toward holistic development, which leaves no life unexplored. A culture of equitable development has emerged thanks to the vast array of social programs that are empowering the formerly underprivileged and setting new standards for good government. Any individual is an essential component of India's growth story in this "Amrit Kaal."

The choice to reach everyone, in every location (har ghar), through awas, ration, and clean energy has been one of the most distinctive aspects. The greatest nutrition program in the world, Har Ghar Ration; PM-GKAY has been in operation since April 2020. More than 40 crore people in more than 8 crore rural families have benefited from the Har Ghar Jal (Jal Jeevan Mission) initiative. Nearly 3 crore homes—or more than 99.9% of all homes—were electrified as part of the SAUBHAGYA Yojana's Har Ghar Bijli project. In order to achieve the promise of the Har Ghar Gas Cylinder with Ujjwala Yojana, nearly 9 crore LPG connections have been issued by March 2023

The goal of these programs is to reach every home in order to help contribute to the economic growth of the socially and economically disadvantaged groups. As part of what is regarded as the largest vaccination program in history, India distributed more than 200 billion dosages of the COVID vaccine. India efficiently distributed over two crore shots of the COVID-19 vaccine across the country in just 18 months. This was done without any additional cost restrictions, thus vaccinations were available to people from all social classes. 

Under PMGKY, the MNREGA income increased to '202 per day from 13.62 Crore families are benefited by 182. Numerous Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) are being established to offer top-notch generic medications at competitive prices around the nation. Under the auspices of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), close to 41 crore loans have been approved since the scheme's inception, which is another fundamental necessity that enables bigger goals. 

The Creation of NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) in keeping with the evolving requirements and expectations of an emerging country and "New India" in place of the outmoded Planning Commission. (National Institution for Transforming India) is a government agency and policy think tank in India that acts as the principal body for developing and directing national development policies and initiatives. On January 1st, 2015, it was founded to take over from the Planning Commission and apply a more flexible and dynamic technique for India's development concerns. 

The remarkable indirect tax reform, the boldest step since Independence, came with the introduction of GST (Goods & Services Tax) between June 30 and July 1 at midnight. The "One Nation, One Tax" system was implemented for the countrymen under the GST regime. The reform aims to increase tax transparency with the ultimate objective of protecting consumers' interests as well as those of businesses and industries. In India, a comprehensive indirect tax known as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is imposed on the provision of goods and services. Value-added taxes have taken the place of numerous indirect taxes levied by the federal and state governments, modernizing the tax code and fostering corporate accessibility. India's GST went into effect on July 1st, 2017. 

The open e-auction in the mining sector brought in enormous cash for the government as well. Similar modifications were made to the telecom spectrum policies to ensure openness in their operation. India has now held numerous open and impartial telecom auctions without receiving any complaints from interested parties. 

Capitalization of banks Resources were allocated to recapitalize banks in order to reinforce public sector banks and solve the problem of non-performing assets (NPA), allowing them to increase capacity and comply with regulatory capital requirements. Public sector banks should merge to increase efficiency, lower operating costs, and boost their resistance to economic shocks.  The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) 2016, which was enacted in 2016, provides a framework for the time-bound resolution of stressed assets and an organized approach for resolution of insolvencies and liquidation to address and resolve insolvency and bankruptcy issues. 

E – Commerce Rules (2000) to effectively control internet marketplaces. These regulations were created to address problems with deceptive marketing tactics, fake goods, and unfair business practices. These regulations sought to control e-commerce platforms and guarantee consumer protection in India's quickly expanding electronic commerce market. 

These are only a few instances of the e-governance projects undertaken in the recent times. The government continues to be working consistently to use technology to streamline procedures, enhance service delivery, and boost governance transparency. The government keeps looking for new, creative methods to improve the nation's e-governance as technology advances and new problems are encountered. The objective of the Digital India effort is to make India into a knowledge-based society and economy. It focuses on enabling citizens a range of digital services, infrastructure, and literacy. 

The Aadhaar Program is a special biometric identification system that issues inhabitants of India a 12-digit unique identity number. In order to simplify service delivery and eliminate duplications, it has been integrated into a number of government programs and social programs.  an immediate time payment system called Unified Payments Interface (UPI) enables fast money transfers between banks using mobile devices. Cashless payments and digital transactions have significantly increased as a result.  MyGov is a platform for citizen participation that enables anyone to take part in governance by offering recommendations, criticism, and thoughts on various government policy initiatives and programs.

E-NAM (National Agriculture Market) is a national network of online markets for agricultural products that enables efficient and transparent trade of agricultural goods.  A smartphone app called UMANG, or The Unified smartphone Software for New-age Governance (UMANG), gives users access to several government services and programs on a single platform. With the use of the e-Sign framework, citizens can electronically sign papers, doing away with the necessity for handwritten signatures and increasing the effectiveness of numerous procedures. 

 With the use of technology, state legislatures will become paperless and more effective thanks to the e-Vidhan project.  GeM (Government e-Marketplace) is an online platform for public procurement that enables government agencies to purchase products and services from authorized vendors while maintaining efficiency and openness.  A mobile software called BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) enables speedy and safe cashless transactions via UPI. 

Implementing BharatNet TRAI recommended public-private partnerships (PPPs) that align private incentives with long-term service delivery, similar to the Build-Own-Operate Transfer/Build-Operate-Transfer models, as the preferred option for the national broadband network, BharatNet, in a February 2016 letter to the government.  Broadband penetration through public Wi-Fi PM WANI participates in the broadband via WIFI in order to enhance Internet usage in the nation. In its most recent report from March 2017 titled "Proliferation of Bandwidth via Public Wi-Fi Networks," the TRAI advised, among other things, that the government remove the regulatory and financial barriers that may prevent the development of scalable and all-pervasive Wi-Fi in the nation. 

Media and Governance

The role of the press as Fourth Estate and as a forum for public discussion and debate has long been recognized. Today, despite the mass media’s propensity for sleaze, sensationalism and superficiality, the notion of the media as watchdog, as guardian of the public interest, and as a conduit between governors and the governed remains deeply ingrained. A good rapport with the members of the press and the media is essential for assimilating and disseminating information. How public interest is served, will constantly have to be highlighted and made clear through whatever forum is available. In this media plays an important role.

The role of the media in promoting good governance is clear. All aspects of good governance are facilitated by a strong and independent mediascape within a society. Only when journalists are free to monitor, investigate and criticize the public administration’s policies and actions can good governance take hold. Independent media are like a beacon that should be welcomed when there is nothing to hide and much to improve. Indeed, this is the concrete link between the functioning of the media and good governance--the media allow for on-going checks and assessments by the population of the activities of government and assist in bringing public concerns and voices into the open by providing a platform for discussion. Instead, all too often governments devise laws and informal means of keeping their activities hidden from public view or only available to media favorable to their viewpoint. In recent years, many governments have tried to co-opt journalists by paying part of their salaries or by giving them certain kinds of access on condition that they will not report from other perspectives. If the media are to function in the public interest, governments have to protect the independent functioning of the media and allow various viewpoints to flourish in society.  

The media has a crucial function as the sector of society most able to promote vigilance towards the rule of law, especially through fostering investigative journalism, promoting the openness of court, legislative and administrative proceedings, access to officials and to public documents. The government has a key role here in protecting the independence and pluralism of the media, especially during critical moments of these processes. In India the media has enjoyed freedom and has been able to highlight a number of instances of corruption and maladministration. Media has been able to raise issues of public concern and help make the system more accountable. However in a democratic framework the media’s credibility as a democratic institution is enhanced if they are accountable to the public, acknowledge their mistakes and ensure that ethical and professional standards are upheld. A sensational and trigger happy press does not contribute to intelligent discussion and debate and soon loses public support. In a large number of cases of maladministration and corruption media trail takes place and one is declared guilty even before a charge sheet is filed in the court. The media should also be equally responsible in a democracy.

Government Approach to Integrate Entire Nation in One

EK BHARAT SHRESHTHA BHARAT: PROMOTING UNITY IN DIVERSITY

On the occasion of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 140th birthday, the Hon'ble Prime Minister made the declaration "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat" on October 31, 2015. An Indian government program called "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat" seeks to foster harmony, intercultural understanding, and cooperation among the nation's many states and Union Territories. "One India, Excellent India" is the English translation of the slogan "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat". The effort seeks to preserve and celebrate the distinctive cultural characteristics of India's many regions while fostering a stronger feeling of national identification and satisfaction amongst all residents. 

The key objectives of the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative include:

Conclusion

For effective government and public trust, the bureaucracy must ensure accountability. It is crucial to remember that establishing transparency throughout the government system calls for a multifaceted strategy that includes effective leadership, institutional changes, and an environment of honesty. Combining these tactics can aid in fostering a bureaucracy that is more transparent and responsible. The following can be used to encourage and improve accountability in bureaucracy:

Roles and responsibilities that are clear: It is essential to specify the duties and roles of bureaucrats. Bureaucrats should be held responsible for their conduct and choices by having straightforward duties and performance objectives. This will help them to comprehend their responsibilities.

Recruitment and Promotion Transparency: Ensuring that suitable people are chosen for bureaucratic posts is made possible by establishing open, merit-based mechanisms for recruitment and advancement. As a result, the encourages accountability throughout the system and reduces instances of corruption, favoritism, or nepotism.

Performance Evaluation and Incentives: Bureaucrats' performance should be regularly and impartially assessed. Evaluations must to take into account KPIs and goals that are in line with the objectives of the firm. Bureaucrats can be encouraged to be more accountable by rewarding excellent performance and tackling underperformance with the proper sanctions.

Unbiased Oversight Organizations: Creating independent oversight organizations like anti-corruption commissions or ombudsman offices helps improve transparency throughout the bureaucracy. These organizations have the power to look into complaints, keep an eye on regulation, and holding administrators accountable for any infractions or rule-breaking.

Participation and Engagement of Citizens: Transparency and accountability are promoted through encouraging citizen involvement and engagement in decisions that are made. Mechanisms incorporate citizen participation, feedback channels, and public consultations.

Robust Grievance Redressal Mechanisms: Citizens are able to express their concerns and seek redress against bureaucratic incompetence or wrongdoing when adequate and easily accessible grievance redressal processes are established. Grievances should be addressed promptly and openly since this fosters accountability.

Independent Reviews and Assessments: It is possible to spot loopholes, inefficiencies, and potential instances of corruption or misbehaviour inside the bureaucracy with the use of routine audits and reviews by independent organizations or auditors. The results of these audits may result in improved accountability and corrective measures. 

The rapid pace and interdependence of global, political, social and economic developments have necessitated a critical need for improved efficiency and effective public institutions, administrative procedures and sound financial management to confront challenges for sustainable development in all countries. The nation's unstoppable progress can be determined by its approach to policy making. The majority of programs have advantages that go beyond the obvious; they promote secondary economic development and large-scale social transformation. Numerous revisions to one policy. Numerous advantages (encompassing all beneficiaries) from one scheme. Many Jan Bhagidaaris from a single initiative. Many lives are transformed by one change. There is also a need for public administration systems to be sound, efficient and well -equipped with the appropriate capacities and capabilities: 

• Capacity-building.

• Access and utilization of technology.

• Establishment or improvement of training programmes for public service.

• Strengthening of partnership of the public sector with the private sector and civil society.

• Providing an enabling environment for private sector activities.

• Promotion of the role and involvement of women in public administration

• Development of cross-sectorial, gender-sensitive and multidisciplinary capabilities which supports all phases of the development process.

• Promotion of opportunities for all to participate in all spheres of the public sector;

Globalization requires us to rethink afresh how we manage our joint activities and fulfill our obligations as public administrators. There are many challenges and constraints that are being faced by those in public administration in the wake of globalization process. World over the countries have pursued significant state reforms based on greater emphasis on market competition, non-intervention, debureaucratization, and corporatization, which has critical impacts on public accountability.  Correspondingly there has been policy orientation of the reinvented state; a significant transition from nationalization, regulation, and protectionism to privatization, deregulation, and liberalization in most countries in the developing world. Accountability to the political executive, independent and impartial functioning of the bureaucracy, a rational system of reward and punishment based on competence and performance would be integral to public services, promoting efficiency and responsive administration. Therefore, governments should promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development, keeping in mind the interdependent and mutually reinforcing relationship between democracy, development and respect for human rights. Governments should make public institutions more responsive to people’s needs. The nature and content of governance is changing fast. Governance is becoming more people- centric with focus on their needs and aspirations. Governance has become the most prominent enabler for this. It has brought reach, scale and speed. It can certainly be said that 21st century is India’s century with fruits of governance percolating down to the last man.