TS Inter 2nd Year Political Science Study Material Chapter 10 Smart Governance

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Telangana TSBIE TS Inter 2nd Year Political Science Study Material 10th Lesson Smart Governance Textbook Questions and Answers.

TS Inter 2nd Year Political Science Study Material 10th Lesson Smart Governance

Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
What is E-Governance? Explain its merits.
Answer:
E-Governance means Electronic Governance. It can be also called as Paperless Governance. Under this, the government functions on the basis of utilization of Information Technology. This will enhance efficiency and effectiveness of services. Internet and other web-based telecommunication technologies are used. Speed & accuracy are the other additional features. Groups, institutions & citizens enjoy quality and continuous services.

E-Governance secures, Transparency, Efficiency, and Accountability. It is practiced in the state of Chhattisgarh. By 2017 it will move towards a Paperless administration.

Definition :
According to the former President of India. Late Dr. A.RJ. Abdul Kalam. E-Gover-nance in the Indian context means.

A transparent Smart E-Governance with seamless access, secure and authentic flow of information crossing the inter-departmental barrier and providing a fair and unbiased service to the citizen.

Further, the UNESCO started, that “E-Governance is the public sector’s use of information and communication technologies with the aim of improving information and service delivery, encouraging citizen participation in the decision-making process and making government more accountable, transparent and effecitve”.

The above definitions & interpretations enlighten us about the elimination of the age old paperwork. Technology will connect and act as an interface between Citizen and Government. Hence, transparency can be seen. Presently, in India, National E-Governance Plan has been implemented (NEGP).

Merits of E-Governance :

  1. Informing & consulting the citizen
  2. Reforming the process of Governance
  3. Access to Information
  4. To improve quality services for citizens
  5. Simple rule
  6. Efficiency
  7. Accountability
  8. Transparency
  9. Quality service for more citizens

TS Inter 2nd Year Political Science Study Material Chapter 10 Smart Governance

Question 2.
Discuss the merits and demerits of E-Governance.
Answer:
E-Governance means Electronic Governance. It can also be called as Paperless Governance. Under this, the government functions on the basis of utilization of Information Technology.

Definition :
According to the former President of India, Late Dr. A.RJ. Abdul Kalam, E-Gover-nance in the Indian context means, “A transparent Smart E-Governance with seamless access, secure and authentic flow of information crossing the inter-departmental barrier and providing a fair and unbiased service to the citizen”.

Merits of E-Governance :

  1. Informing consulting the citizen.
  2. Reforming the process of Governance.
  3. Access to information.
  4. To improve quality services for citizens.
  5. Simple rules.
  6. Efficiency.
  7. Accountability.
  8. Transparency.
  9. Quality service for more citizens.

Demerits of E-Governance :

  1. High cost of implementation and maintenance.
  2. Lack of integrated services.
  3. Poor infrastructure.
  4. A weak legal framework and poor laws.
  5. Need to reform legal, administrative, Police and Judiciary.
  6. Difficulty in understanding the citizen’s needs and linguistic barriers.
  7. Poor Public Financial Management System.
  8. Denial of role and participation by the civil society in public decision making.

Question 3.
What is Right to Information Act?
Answer:
The study of Right to Information Act is basic to relate the Citizen’ role in the modern administration.

  1. Can the citizens take part in Governance?
  2. How can the citizens gather information on public schemes?
  3. Is the government acting in a fair manner?
  4. Should the information be made open to the public?

The above raised issues need to be answered.

The Right to Information Act-2005 received the Presidential assent on 15th June 2005 and became fully operational by October 2005. The Act applies to all States and Union Territories except the State of Jammu & Kashmir which is dealt separately. Every citizen has a Right to Access Information. Since all information held by government ultimately belongs to the public, this Act recognizes the sharing of information by government with citizens as healthy and beneficial to the functioning of democracy. Lastly information leads to new awareness and empowerment.

Provisions :
The Right to Information is a fundamental human right. It includes rights as well as responsibilities.

They are explained below :

  1. Every person’s right to request information from the government and even the private bodies.
  2. The duty of the government is to provide the requested information unless exempted for special reasons.
  3. To disclose the information pro-actively by the government.
  4. Information belongs to the people and not the public body that holds it
  5. Within a period of 30 days the government should respond to the query.
  6. Computerization & Digitalization of Records for the dissemination of information.
  7. Information in the form of printouts, floppies, videocassettes or any other electronic form. Under the Act 2(f) all the above can be treated as information.

Appointment of PIO’s :
This Act recommends for the appointment of Public Information Officer for all the bodie/authorities/governmental departments etc. The PIO is responsible for providing information to all the citizens as requested. The RTI recommends for the appointment of Assistant Public Infirmation Officers (APIO’s) to receive RTI appeals. The request can be made through an online application form.

Merits of RTI:

  1. Citizens empowerment through Right to Information.
  2. To curtail corruption, inefficiency and misuse of power.
  3. The right to know about government & governance.
  4. The concerned officer can be punished or penalized if the information is not provided.
  5. It leads to transparency and improvement of services.
  6. Role of civil society groups in bringing the issues to the core.
  7. A report or complaint or demand of status of the details of the time delays by the public.
  8. It helps in the evaluation of the impact of public polices through Social Audit.
  9. Right to Information Act as an enforceable Act.

TS Inter 2nd Year Political Science Study Material Chapter 10 Smart Governance

Question 4.
Explain the provisions of the Right to Information Act.
Answer:
The Right to Information Act came into operation from 12th October, 2005.

Provisions :
The Right to Information is a fundamental human right. It includes rights as well as responsibilities.

They are explained below :

  1. Every Person’s Right to request information from the government and even the private bodies.
  2. The duty of the government is to provide the requested information unless exempted for special reasons.
  3. The disclose the information proactively by the government.
  4. Information belongs to the people and not the public body that holds it.
  5. Within a period of 30 days the government should respond to the query.
  6. Computerization and Digitalization of Records for the dissemination of information.
  7. Information in the form of printout, floppies, video cassettes or any other electronic form. Under the Act 2(f) all the above can be treated as Information.

Question 5.
What is SMART Governance?
Answer:
SMART stands for Simple, Moral, Accountable, Responsive and Transparent Components of Smart Governance :

  1. To improve the performance of the administration.
  2. Enhance accountability and transparency.
  3. To do away with petty politics.
  4. Successful implementation (Administration) of the public policy.
  5. Greater efficiency.
  6. Role of the Community Leadership.
  7. Future role and Innovation in Public Services.
  8. Focus on planning and decision making.
  9. Use of a wide range of services like internet, Mobile and other Web-based services.
  10. E-Governance.

The following institutions throw some light on the Governance process in India. To suggest ways and means for the enhancement of SMART Governance, the below institutions of excellence were created.

  • The National Institute for Smart Government (NISG), Hyderabad, India.
  • The Centre for Good Governance, Hyderabad, India.
  • The Centre for Law and Governance, New Delhi.
  • The Centre for Public Policy and Governance, New Delhi.

Question 6.
Explain the powers and functions of Lokpal.
Answer:
Powers and function of Lokpal :
The lokpal has the power to enquire into any matter connected with allegations of corruption against (a) Prime Minister (b) Minister of the Union (c) any Member of either House of Parliament (d) and Group A’, Group ‘B’ officers (e) Any group ‘C or group ‘D’ official of the Union (f) Any chair person or member of any corporation (g) Any society or trust or body that receives foreign contribution above 10 lakhs.

Present Lokpal :
The President of Indian appointed Justice Pinaki Chandra Bhose as the first Lokpal chairperson and Eight other members on 19th March 2019.

Based on the report made by the search committee under leadership of Justice Ranjana Desai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other committee members unanimously recommended names of the Chair Person and other members of the Lokpal system in India. Lokpal as a peoples friend is an anticorruption authority of body of Cmbudsman who represents the public interest in India. Minimum age of Lokpal (Chairperson or member). Should not be less than 45 years.

Lokayukta :
Based on the recommendations of the 1st Administrative Reforms Commission, many State Governments enacted legislations to constitute the Lokayukta to investigate allegations or grievances arising out of the conduct of public servants in utilising their power and administrative duties. These servants included political executives, legislators, officers of the State Government, local bodies and public enterprises.

Any citizen can file specific allegations with Lokayukta against any public servant for enquiry. It is also open to Lokayukta to initiate self enquiry into the conduct of the public servants. The institution of Lokayukta was established first in Maharashtra in 1971. After the formation Telangana State in 2014, the first Lokayukta of Telangana was formed on 20 December 2019. Telangana has became 27th state information of Lokayukta and upa-Lokayukta Act. Governor Tamilasai Soundarajan appointed Justice C.V Ramulu as Lokayukta and Niranjan Rao as upa-Lokayukta, Governor was advised by the Committee headed by C.M. K Chandra Sekhar Rao.

Every person appointed to be the Lokayukta or upa-Lokayukta shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he or she enters upon his/her office. The Lokayukta or upa lokayukta may be removed from their by the Governor on grounds of misbehavior or incapacity and on no other grounds.

Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Lokayukta may investigate any action taken by state ministers, secretaries, a member of either House of the Legislature, Mayor of the Municipal Corporation, Vice Cancellor or Registrar of a University or any public servants. Following the investigation the Lokayukta communicates the report to the competent authority, without any further delay.

Very Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
What is Accountability?
Answer:
Accountability means the officials (public servants or civil servants) are accountability for their decision and actions to the public. Henceforth, they are subjected to public security. In a wider sense it includes the bodies/civil society organization/stakeholders/organisations as well. Rule of law and transparency can ensure accountability.

TS Inter 2nd Year Political Science Study Material Chapter 10 Smart Governance

Question 2.
Write any two merits of E-Governance.
Answer:
Merits of E-Governance:

  1. Informing & consulting the citizen
  2. Reforming the process of Governance
  3. Access to Information
  4. To improve quality services for citizens
  5. Simple rules
  6. Efficiency
  7. Accountability
  8. Transparency.

Question 3.
List out the Stake holders In Governance.
Answer:
The following are the Stakeholders (participants or users) in Governance.

  • Ececutive
  • Legislature
  • Judiciary
  • Media
  • Private Sector
  • Social Organizations
  • Civil Society
  • Political Parties

Question 4.
What is Government to Citizens (G to C) Model?
Answer:
Government to Citizen (G to C):
Through this model an interface between Government and Citizen is created to provide a wide range of services. This will benefit the general public.

Question 5.
Explain Transparency in few words.
Answer:
Transparency refers to a free’ or ‘unfettered’ (unrestrained) access by the public to timely and reliable information on decisions and performance of the government in various sectors. It includes timely accessible and accurate information. The information given is easy to assimilate even by a Good Governance practices. Social Audit ensures transparency in the process of administration and decision making. Transparency improves efficiency in administration by the following methods :

  • The streamlining of service delivery system.
  • Recommended social audit to reduce corruption, deviation and malpractices.

Question 6.
In which year the RTI was enacted and enforced?
Answer:
The Right to Information Act was enacted and came into force in the year of 2005.

TS Inter 2nd Year Political Science Study Material Chapter 10 Smart Governance

Question 7.
Lokayukta.
Answer:
Any citizen can file specific allegations with Lokayukta against any public servant for enquiry. It is also open to Lokayukta to initiate self enquiry into the conduct of the public servants. The institution of Lokayukta was established first in Maharashtra in 1971. After the formation Telangana State in 2014, the first Lokayukta of Telangana was formed on 20 December 2019. Telangana has became 27th state in formation of Lokayukta and upa-Lokayukta Act. Governor Tamilasai Soundarajan appointed Justice C.V. Ramulu as Lokayukta and Niranjan Rao as upa-Lokayukta. Governor was advised by the Committee headed by C.M. K. Chandra Sekhar Rao.

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