Governance and Public Policy in India MCQ Quiz in தமிழ் - Objective Question with Answer for Governance and Public Policy in India - இலவச PDF ஐப் பதிவிறக்கவும்

The correct answer is '(A) is true, but (R) is false.'

Key Points

• Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act:
  • The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, is an anti-corruption law in India that seeks to provide for the establishment of the institution of Lokpal for the Union and Lokayuktas for States to inquire into allegations of corruption against public functionaries.
  • It requires states to establish Lokayuktas within one year from the commencement of the Act.
• Section 63 of the Act:
  • Section 63 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act mandates the creation of Lokayuktas by states but does not prescribe uniform powers across all states.
  • The powers and functioning of Lokayuktas can vary from state to state, depending on the state legislation.

Additional Information

• Importance of Lokayuktas:
  • Lokayuktas play a significant role in curbing corruption within the states by investigating allegations against public officials.
  • They act as a mechanism for citizens to hold government functionaries accountable.

The correct answer is 'Inclusiveness and equity'

Key Points

• Inclusiveness and equity:
  • Inclusiveness and equity are foundational principles for good governance, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status, gender, ethnicity, or other differences, have equal opportunities to participate in decision-making processes.
  • Promoting inclusiveness means actively seeking and considering the views and needs of marginalized and disadvantaged groups in society.
  • Equity ensures that resources and opportunities are distributed fairly, recognizing that different people may need different levels of support to achieve similar outcomes.
  • Good governance is characterized by transparency, accountability, and participation, all of which are supported by inclusiveness and equity.

Additional Information

• Hierarchical decision-making:
  • Hierarchical decision-making involves decisions being made by higher authorities in a top-down manner.
  • While it can be efficient, it often lacks the input from lower levels and can lead to decisions that do not reflect the needs and perspectives of all stakeholders.
• Centralization:
  • Centralization refers to the concentration of decision-making authority at a central point in the organization.
  • This approach can lead to a lack of responsiveness to local needs and a reduction in the active participation of individuals at different levels.
• Financial incentives:
  • Financial incentives can be a tool for motivating individuals but are not a characteristic of good governance in itself.
  • Good governance focuses on broader principles such as transparency, accountability, and participation rather than merely financial motivations.

The correct answer is 'Whistle Blower'

Key Points

• Whistle Blower:
  • A whistleblower is an individual who exposes any kind of information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical, or not correct within an organization that is either private or public.
  • Whistleblowers often report misconduct to authorities who can take corrective action or to the media and the public.
  • They play a critical role in maintaining transparency and accountability within organizations and governments by bringing attention to illegal or corrupt practices.

Additional Information

• Lokayukta:
  • The Lokayukta is an anti-corruption authority or ombudsman in the Indian states.
  • It is responsible for addressing grievances against public servants and investigating allegations of corruption.
  • While they play a significant role in curbing corruption, they are not the individuals who disclose the corrupt practices themselves.
• Ombudsman:
  • An ombudsman is an official appointed to investigate individuals' complaints against maladministration, especially that of public authorities.
  • Their primary role is to ensure that government agencies operate fairly and adhere to the law.
  • They are more of a mediator and investigator rather than the one who blows the whistle on corruption.
• Central Vigilance Commissioner:
  • The Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) is the head of the Central Vigilance Commission, an apex Indian governmental body created to address governmental corruption.
  • The CVC has the authority to inquire into offenses alleged to have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
  • While the CVC plays a significant role in anti-corruption, it is not the individual who discloses corrupt practices but rather investigates them.

Note: This question has been dropped by NTA.

The correct answer is (D), (A), (C) and (B)

Key Points

• Ministry of Panchayati Raj Initiatives:
  • The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India, has implemented several measures to empower and make the Panchayats vibrant.
  • These initiatives aim to improve governance, infrastructure, and sustainable development at the grassroots level.
• Release of SOP regarding e-gram Swaraj:
  • This was the earliest measure taken to enhance transparency and efficiency in Panchayat operations through digital means.
  • The SOP provided guidelines for the implementation of e-gram Swaraj.
• SVAMITVA Scheme, Property Survey:
  • This scheme was launched to provide rural people with the right to document their residential properties.
  • It aimed at creating accurate land records for rural planning and reducing property disputes.
• Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA):
  • This initiative focused on the localization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • It aimed to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system and ensure better delivery of services.
• Multi Bijli Yojana:
  • This was the latest measure introduced to install rooftop solar panels and provide free electricity up to 300 units per month.
  • It aimed at promoting renewable energy and reducing the energy burden on rural households.

The correct answer is A is correct but R is not correct
Explanation: 

• Assertion A makes a valid argument that exercising individual autonomy or self-determination requires certain capacities and skills. Developing this requires social conditions and public resources that a liberal state must provide to facilitate meaningful free choice for citizens.
• For example, essential healthcare, education, economic opportunities enable substantive options for people to shape their own lives. Else autonomy is merely on paper for marginalized sections deprived of basic needs fulfillment due to systemic barriers.
• However, the Reason R contends that commitment to autonomy cannot obligate a state to provide supportive conditions citing individuals' duty to independently strive. This reasoning is flawed and counters the premises of liberal political philosophy.
• A liberal state's purpose itself is creating conditions for autonomy and dignity (ideas of Amartya Sen). If autonomous skill-development requires public action to dismantle unequal social constraints, state neutrality principle cannot absolve governments from providing substantive facilities. Rather the neutrality principle demands states enable all members of society become capable of exercising autonomy through developing their knowledge capacities and options availability without discrimination.
• Therefore individual efforts alone cannot suffice if underlying discriminatory societal structures persist due to state inaction. For instance, making high quality healthcare conditional on ability to afford high premiums restricts substantive choice for economically disadvantaged groups. Removing such constraints for equitable access to develop capabilities is government’s duty as per liberal egalitarian principles.

In summary, Assertion correctly contends that actualizing autonomy in a fair, ethical manner necessitates provisioning of facilitating conditions and resources by the liberal state apparatus. But Reason incorrectly limits this obligation citing neutrality, which contradicts the foundations of liberalism.

The correct answer is Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

Key Points

• Citizen's Charter is a document which represents a systematic effort to focus on the commitment of the Organisation towards its Citizens in respects of Standard of Services, Information, Choice and Consultation, Non-discrimination and Accessibility, Grievance Redress, Courtesy and Value for Money.
• Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) in Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India is given task of coordination, formulation, and implementation of citizen’s charters in India.
• It cannot be challenged in court since it lacks legal enforceability.

Additional Information

• Former British Prime Minister John Major introduced the idea of a citizen's charter in 1991. It began as a nationwide initiative to raise the standard of public services.
  • In the UK, the idea was rebranded as "Services First" in 1998.
• In India, at a "Conference of Chief Ministers of various States and Union Territories" convened in New Delhi in May 1997, the idea of a citizen's charter was first approved.
• Service standards, the amount of time consumers may expect to be serviced, grievance procedures, and a clause allowing for impartial examination by consumer and citizen groups were all required to be included in the charters.
• The DARPG website lists more than 700 charters adopted by various government agencies across India.
• Objectives of Citizen’s Charters:
  • Boost the standard of public services
  • Ensuring transparency and right to information
  • Save time for the client and the service provider
  • Establish definite goals for every service level.