UPSC Mains Practice Question
Q. How has the Pragati platform transformed the governance paradigm in India, shifting it from a bureaucratic, top-down approach to one characterised by responsible and transparent governance?
Answer: The Pragati platform has ushered in a transformative shift in the governance paradigm, effectively transitioning from a bureaucratic, top-down approach to a model marked by responsible and transparent governance.
India’s governance framework – Historical Context
- Bureaucratic Hierarchy: Historically, India’s governance was characterised by a bureaucratic and hierarchical system, leading to administrative delays and inefficiencies.
- Slow Decision-Making: Decision-making processes within the government were notoriously slow, hindering progress and responsiveness to citizen’s needs.
- Red Tape Challenges: Excessive red tape and administrative complexity were prevalent, resulting in a lack of transparency and accountability.
- Top-Down Approach: A top-down approach to governance was dominant, with centralised decision-making that often failed to address local and immediate concerns.
- Ineffective Governance: The historical governance framework was criticised for inefficiency and lack of responsiveness, contributing to public frustration and regulatory bottlenecks.
How the PRAGATI platform brought a paradigm shift in a traditional governance model
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Traditional Governance
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PRAGATI Platform
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| Bureaucratic Hierarchy |
Collaborative Structure
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| Top-Down Decision Making |
Decentralised Decision Making
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| Limited Transparency |
Enhanced Transparency |
| Limited Citizen Participation |
Increased Citizen Participation |
| Slow Project Implementation |
Timely Project Implementation |
Collaborative Structure
- Pragati has helped reduce bureaucratic delays and inefficiencies by providing a platform for government officials to interact directly with the Prime Minister and key decision-makers.
- This has streamlined communication and expedited decision-making, reducing the bureaucratic hierarchy’s negative impact.
Timely Decision making
- Pragati aims to ensure timely decision-making and implementation of projects and policies.
- Through regular video conferences and discussions on the platform, issues and projects are tracked and monitored closely, allowing for quicker resolutions and implementation.
Red Tape Challenges
- Pragati has reduced excessive red tape and complexity through transparency and accountability.
- It allows officials to discuss challenges openly, simplifying bureaucratic procedures.
Top-Down Approach
- Pragati challenges the traditional top-down approach by facilitating discussions and interactions between central government officials and state-level authorities.
- This approach ensures that local and immediate concerns are addressed more effectively, moving away from the strictly centralised decision-making model.
Pro-active Governance
- Pragati’s focus on proactive governance and timely implementation directly addresses the criticism of historical inefficiency and lack of responsiveness in the governance framework.
Conclusion
- The Pragati platform has shifted the paradigm in India’s governance framework by promoting transparency, accountability, and faster decision-making.
- However, Corruption, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and socioeconomic disparities are persistent issues in the Governance system, which still needs further reforms to address these challenges.
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