5. (.

;narac1:er1s1:1cs u1 uooa uovernance:

Following are the general characteristics of good governance _

1) Rule of Law:
The term rule of law means the principles of legality wh· h fi
. . ic re ers to
b d
government ase on pnnc1ples of law and not of men Rule of 1 • a
. . · aw
1 o f arb1tranness. It emphasizes that legal framework h 1s totally
opposed to rue
1
1.arr, Just an en fiorced 1mpart1ally,
r. · · d · · particularly as regards laws on hums ou· dh be
. ,
The expression 'rule of law has got prominent significance by Dicey. Accordin~
to him 'rule of law' includes the following three principles - (a) Supremac f
law, (b) Equality before law, (c) Predominance of legal spirit. The whole India:
Constitution is based on Rule of Law.

2) Transparency:
Transparency is significant criteria for the success of good govern~ce.
Their should be some mechanism or institution which provides each and every
information about the performance and the functions of the government to the
public. In India, the Supreme Court, by liberal interpretation stated that, the
right to know and have access to inf9rmation is indirect 'right implicit in Right to
Freedom of Speech and Expression given under Art 19 ( 1) (a) of the Constitution.
For maintaining transparency between government and people, the Right to
Information Act, 2005 was enacted by the Parliament. T~is Act explai~s the
category of information which is accessible and non-accessible to the pubhc.

3) Participation:
•t • very necessary that all men and women should
F or goo d governance 1 1s • d" 1
• . . . akin either directly or 1n irect Y through legal
have a voice m dec1s1on-m g d" public opinion also 1
institutions that represents their interests. In In ia, Pays a
-- Public Policy and Public Administration 125

very important role. It is the r

gives democratic rights to th e~1;'1t of Art 19 of Indian constitution. This Article
e citizens of India.
4) Responsiveness:
One of the essential c ·t .
responsible to people at nfiena of good governance is that it should be
1arge or fulfilling th · d G d h ld
also cover proper administra . . eir nee s. oo governances ou
establishment operati tion. !n th18 context, good governance stands for
manifests itseif in£ <>,:;• networking of social institutions. Good governance
E.g. water distribu~:: f rules, p~oced1;1res that serve to define social practices.
d' putes com 'ty ' ree medical aid camps, education, resolution of local
is ' muni to country defence etc.

5) Equality:
..
Good governance promo t es equal'ity. It means that all men and women have
equal opportunities to improve and maint$ their well-being. Equality, includes,
~qual tr~a~ent and absence of discrimination on the basis of gender, language,
race, re~gion, color; caste etc. Art. 14 of Indian Constitution provide two aspects
of ~quality; firs~y, equality before law and secondly, equal protection by law.
This Art also mcludes reasonable classification and provision of protective
discrimination which allows both the Central Government and State Governme~t
to frame the law for the upliftment of weaker sections of society.

6) Consensus Orientaton:
Consensus means opinion reached by a group as a whole. Good governance
tries to bring consensus among differential groups. Good governap,ce always
strives for the protection of interests of groups and the developm«?nt.

7) Effectiveness and Efficiency:

Good governance is b_a sed on the efficiency of institutions which produces
best results. Good governance fulfills the requirement of effective administration
by application of new techniques and methods of administration. Effectiveness of
good governance can beJudgedon the basisofresultsofpublicpolicy. Effectiveness
and efficiency also depends upon optimum utilization of available resources.

8) Accountability:
The most important characteristic of good governance is accountability.
Decision makers in government, are accountable to the public as well as to the
institutional stakeholders. Political leaders are responsible and accountable to
the public. In India, people may not choose present ruling party in next election
if they fail to perform as per their co~~er.,ts and people's expectations. Civil
servants have to face departmental enqu1nes if they breach administrative rules.
In India, departmental enquiries are famous. Accountab_ili~ differs depending on
whether the decision is internal or external to an organisation.