Good governance relies on collaboration in India
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A retired civil servant argues that effective governance in India depends on the state, society, and markets working together to achieve results.
Over the past two months, the author spoke with over 100 chief executive officers of zila parishads (district councils) and found they agreed that decentralized community action and collaborative governance improve outcomes, especially for complex problems.
This observation aligns with research and the findings of the jury for the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Governance Awards, where successful district magistrate proposals consistently highlight community involvement. The National Rural Livelihood Mission, with its 100 million women members in 10 million self-help groups, also demonstrates the benefits of widespread collaboration and decentralized management.
The author identifies six key factors for improving outcomes at scale, decentralized community action, collaborative governance, women’s empowerment, technology, accountability, and skilled professionals, and notes that while India has made progress in growth and development, vulnerable households still struggle with poverty and dignified employment. Successful initiatives like the Green and White Revolutions, the Swachh Bharat Mission, and watershed development programs demonstrate the positive effects of combining professional expertise with citizen participation.
The author suggests that local governments, working with women’s groups, can improve indicators of multidimensional poverty and human development, as seen in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Himachal Pradesh. To achieve further gains, he urges investment in higher education and skills development, and proposes reforms to urban governance, including direct elections at the neighborhood level.
