participatory democracy29.12.10

Centre for the Study of Social Systems Weekly Seminar

Speaker:

Ms Shailaja Chandra ( I .A .S, Retd.)

On

Bureaucracy and Society:Challenges of Par ticipatory Democracy in Delhi

Thursday, 26th August, 2010

Jawaharlal Nehru University

Participatory Democracy

In Delhi people’s involvement has been managed in 3 ways:-

3) Through Bhagidari - a Cit izen Government Interface

to improve quality of services, provided by the

Municipal Corporation, Water Services, Police, & Revenue Authorities.

to involve al stakeholders – Market Associations, NGOs, Industry, Corporate Sector and students.

2) Through the Delhi Right to Information Act, 2001.

3) Through the Public Grievances Commission.

Bhagidari : Government-Citizen Partnership

AimsAims

• To develop a democratic framework providing information to people to engage in collective action with the government.

To address the cynicism and apathy of citizens towards civic issues

To enhance public scrutiny of government functioning

To make government responsive and participatory

Part-I


Part-I

Government felt the need to involve citizens in the planning process.

This was necessary because with three levels of political representation public awareness about responsibility and accountability was poor.

Evolution of Bhagidari

Evolution of Bhagidari:

Government felt the need to involve citizens in the planning process.

Consultations were held in January 2000 between the Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Department Heads and Heads of civic agencies - to evolve a mechanism.

In the next phase wide consultations were held with al l stakeholders - Resident Welfare Associations, Market and Traders Associations and NGOs.

Consensus built on developing a mechanism to bring the cit izens and Government off icials together on a common platform.

Special Challenges to Governance

in Delhi’s Context

Delhi is the Seat of the Central Government and Delhi Government.

Public representatives comprising 70 elected members of the Assembly in 70 constituencies and 272 elected Municipal Corporators in 272 wards serving the same public for similar functions.

Multiplicity of authorities & agencies charged with providing services.

Spirall ing demand for services / pressure on infrastructure due to urban in-migration [500,000 persons per annum]

NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI :NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI :

LEGISLATIVE & ADMINISTRATIVE SET UPLEGISLATIVE & ADMINISTRATIVE SET UP

Part-I

Parliamentary Representatives

for Delhi

National Capital Territory of Delhi

Municipal Corporation of Delhi

7 Parliamentary Seats

Legislative Assembly70 Elected Members

272 Corporators

7 Members of Parliament

70 Assembly Constituencies

272 Wards

Population of New Delhi : 13.85 Million


Wide consultations were held with all stakeholders - Resident Welfare Associations, Market and Traders Associations and NGOs who were taught how government organisations function and to whom they are accountable.

Representatives of the Resident Welfare Associations were acquainted with the process for viewing the status and measuring physical outcomes of

projects and services.

Evolution of Bhagidari

Part-I

Bhagidari : Government-Citizen PartnershipPart-I

Information provided at Sensitization Workshops

Organisational set up of each provider agency.

Departmental hierarchy. Systems prescribed for grant of

services. Average time taken to provide

service. System for redressal of grievances.


PROCESS

• Each RWA was trained in the dynamics of governance.

• RWAs became a focus for citizens issues relating to supply of water, electricity, sanitation and conservancy services, crime, women’s security.

• More than 1800 Resident Welfare Associations were established.


OUTCOME

• The RWAs were shaken out of their apathy.

• They questioned poor provision of services and insisted on improvement.

• The movement forced service providers to become responsive.

Recognition . . . As a good governance initiative Bhagidari has

attracted the attention of Government of India and international agencies. The programme has also been circulated by Govt. of India for replication by other states.

Bhagidari was awarded the United Nations Public Service Awards 2005 in the category of “Improving Transparency, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Public Service” from amongst 215 entries worldwide. This is the first time that an entry from South Asia bagged the prestigious award.

The Award was given by the Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).

Delhi Right to Information Act, 2001

Part-II

Delhi enacted the Right to Delhi enacted the Right to Information Act in 2001.Information Act in 2001.

The Act provides every cit izen the The Act provides every cit izen the right to obtain information from right to obtain information from government departments.government departments.

Illustrative cases coming under the Delhi Right to Information Act

Part-II

1: Information about the maintenance of public parks, roads of MCD/NDMC and encroachment on public areas or public property.

2: Details about road construction, quality of material used, measurement books and award of tenders.

3: Work orders issued by agencies like MCD alongwith names of contractors, amount paid to them and names of supervisory officials. Date of completion of the work.

Contd..


Part-II

4: Operation of fair price shops, availability, quality of commodities supplied. Action taken on complaints of diversion of stocks, non supply to genuine card holders.

5: Criteria followed for acceptance or rejection of applications for admission to institutions/ schools.

6: Deployment of sweepers,

gardeners and sanitary inspectors in a specific area or colony.

PUBLIC GRIEVANCES COMMISSION

Grievances can be fi led against officials of Government Departments, Local Bodies, Autonomous Organisations and Organisations funded by the GNCT of Delhi.

Commission makes recommendations to the government and they are laid on the table of the Assembly.

Delhi Right to Information Act

• Delhi enacted the Right to Delhi enacted the Right to Information Act in 2001.Information Act in 2001.

• The Act provides every citizen the The Act provides every citizen the right to obtain information from right to obtain information from government departments through a government departments through a designated Competent Authority.designated Competent Authority.

• The Public Grievances Commission is The Public Grievances Commission is the Appellate Authority under the the Appellate Authority under the Delhi Right to Information Act. Delhi Right to Information Act.


1: Information about the maintenance of public parks, roads of MCD/NDMC and encroachment on public areas or public property.

2: Details about road construction, quality of material used, measurement books and award of tenders.

3: Unauthorized construction in colonies - action taken on complaints.

Contd..

Illustrative cases coming under the

Delhi Right to Information Act

4: Work orders issued by agencies like MCD alongwith names of contractors, amount paid to them and names of supervisory officials. Date of completion of the work.

5: Processes followed for registration of documents & issue of certificates by Sub- Registrars.

6: Operation of fair price shops, availability, quality of commodities supplied. Action taken on complaints of diversion of stocks, non supply to genuine card holders.

Contd..


7: Complaints about the management of Cooperative Societies and action taken by the Registrar of Cooperative Societies on such complaints.

9: Criteria followed for acceptance or rejection of applications for admission to institutions/ schools.

10: Deployment of sweepers,

sanitary inspectors in a specific area or colony, names of the employees and those engaged on muster roll.

Outcomes of Right to Information Act

• The Act has become a useful tool for conducting social audit.

• It is possible to give legitimate information to the public in a time bound manner.

• Has improved accountability and responsiveness.

PUBLIC GRIEVANCES COMMISSION – another ADDITIONAL FORUM FOR PUBLIC INTERFACE

• The Public Grievances Commission was established in 1997.

• The Public Grievances Commission is an independent forum.

• The Commission is headed by Chairman and three Members.

PROCESS FOLLOWED BY THE PUBLIC GRIEVANCES COMMISSION

• The Commission hears the case in the presence of the complainant and the department’s representatives.

• Speaking Orders are passed on the merit of each case.

• The Commission lays special emphasis on the speedy redressal of public complaints.

Types of cases entertained by the Commission

• Wherever the Commission is satisfied that the grievance has not been attended to by the concerned department or organization in a fair, just and objective manner or a corrupt practice appears to be involved, it takes up such cases for detailed scrutiny.

• The Commission also takes suo moto cognizance of matters coming to its notice through newspapers/ magazines/ other media channels or verbal complaints.

Generic Issues also addressed

The hearing facilitates the examination of generic issues which come to the Commission’s notice, which call for systemic changes to be made.

The Commission advises government on reforms which need to be undertaken by the departments to improve responsiveness, efficiency and the quality of public service.

Participatory Democracy in Delhi Conclusions

Democracy needs people’s participation.

People’s participation requires their being empowered .

Knowledge about accountability is essential to enable public to raise issues.

Participatory Democracy Conclusions ( contd)

Public must understand the role of the Political Executive and the Bureaucracy to raise issues

effectively. Public need independent

institutions like Information Commission and Public Grievances Commission to gain knowledge and arbitrate

Participatory Democracy (Conclusion.)

Public needs the support of civil society,NGOs and the media to be taken seriously

Given the tools and the institutional support, public can exercise their rights successfully.

participatory democracy29.12.10

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