THE BHOPAL SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

UNIT V

Role of Various Agencies/Actors in the Inidan Context

THE CIVIL SOCIETY

“Civil society is composed of autonomous associations which develop a dense, diverse and
pluralistic network. As it develops, civil society will consist of a range of local groups,
specialized organizations and linkages between them to amplify the corrective voices of civil
society as a partner in governance and the market”

(Connor, 1999).

*Edited & Compiled for Students by:

KALYANI JAIN
Assistant Professor
Political Science (Humanities)
The Bhopal School of Social Sciences
 THE BHOPAL SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Class : Political Science Subject : Good Governance
Unit : Unit V

CIVIL SOCIETY Features:

Encompasses various organizations, both formal and informal.

• Traditional organizations like religious organizations and modern groups, mass

movements and action groups, political parties, trade and professional associations,
non-commercial organizations and community-based organizations

• Civil society should not be equated to non-government organizations (NGOS).

• NGOs are a part of civil society

• They play an important and sometimes leading role in activating citizen participation
in socio-economic development and politics and in shaping or influencing policy.

• Civil society is a broader concept, encompassing all organizations and associations

that exist outside the state and the market.

• separation from the state and the market

• formed by people who have common needs interests and values like tolerance,
inclusion, cooperation and equality

• development through a fundamentally endogenous and autonomous process which

cannot easily be controlled from outside

• the backbone of democracy, ensuring citizen participation and accountability.

• Rooted in Gandhian volunteerism, it now takes various forms of activism.

ROLE IN GOOD GOVERNANCE

• Policy analysis and Advocacy

• Regulation and Monitoring of state performance and the action and behaviour of
public officials

• Building social capital and enabling citizens to identify and articulate their values,
beliefs, civic norms and democratic practices
 THE BHOPAL SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Class : Political Science Subject : Good Governance
Unit : Unit V

• Mobilizing constituencies, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized sections of

masses, to participate more fully in politics and public affairs

• Development work to improve the wellbeing of their own and other communities.

• Civil society groups advocate for specific demands and engage in lobbying.

• Women's rights, child trafficking, and LGBTQ+ rights initiatives.

• Checks and Balances: It acts as a check on the state's power and hasty legislations.

• NGOs like ADR and PUCL improve electoral transparency.

Effective collaboration between civil society and the government is essential.

• To address the needs of marginalized populations is crucial.

• Need for regular policy reviews and dissemination of information.

• Mahatma Gandhi's Vision: Collaborative efforts for inclusive governance.

CHALLENGES:

• Unorganized sector, lack of regulation, and numerous NGOs with varying roles.

• Lack of transparency deters public trust and donations.

• Some NGOs identified as security threats.

• Need for a monitoring system for NGO finances and governance

• FCRA 2010  prohibits the receipt of foreign funds by candidates for

elections, journalists or newspaper and media broadcast companies, judges
and government servants, members of legislature and political parties or their
office-bearers, and organizations of a political nature.

MP LOK SEVA GUARANTEE ACT 2010

Aim:
 THE BHOPAL SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Class : Political Science Subject : Good Governance
Unit : Unit V

• To ensure timely delivery of various public services to the citizens of Madhya

Pradesh, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability in governance.

Significance:

It received the United Nations Public Service Award (UNPSA) for 2012.

• in the category of "improving the delivery of Public Services”

• from among 483 nominations from 73 countries

Beneficiaries:

• Citizens of Madhya Pradesh are the primary beneficiaries of this Act.

• They can access the services under the Act through Lok Seva Kendras.

FEATURES:

• Servica Delivery

The act guarantees the delivery of 52 key public services, such as issuing birth and death
certificates, ration cards, caste certificates, etc.

• Accountability:

It holds government officials accountable for delays and provides for penalties on them
for non-compliance.

If officials fail to provide services as per the Act's provisions, they face fines, starting at
Rs. 250 per day, up to a maximum of Rs. 5000.

which can impose fines and order disciplinary actions against officials.

• Citizen's Rights:

It emphasizes the rights of citizens to obtain services without unnecessary delays and
bureaucratic hurdles.
 THE BHOPAL SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Class : Political Science Subject : Good Governance
Unit : Unit V

• Transparency:
In the functioning of government departments
mandating the publication of service charters, timelines, and details of services offered.
• Time Limits:
It defined specific time limits for each service.
If the service is not provided within the stipulated time, the government department
responsible for it is liable to pay a penalty to the applicant.
• Grievance Redressal:
mechanism for citizens who face delays or issues in obtaining these services
• Appeal:
The Act establishes a two-stage appeals process.
Citizens can appeal to the first appellate authority if they do not receive services on
time within 60 days
If dissatisfied with the decision, citizens can further appeal to the second appellate
authority,
• RTI:
The act empowers citizens to seek information about the status of their applications and
services through the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
• Simplified Procedure
Government departments are encouraged to simplify procedures for availing services and
to make them more accessible.