WHAT IS GOOD GOVERNANCE?

WHAT   IS   GOOD   GOVERNANCE? Recently the terms "governance" and "good governance" are being increasingly used in development literature. Bad governance is being increasingly regarded as one of the root causes of all evil within our societies. Major donors and international financial institutions are increasingly basing their aid and loans on the condition that reforms that ensure "good governance" are undertaken. This article tries to explain, as simply as possible, what "governance" and "good governance" means. GOVERNANCE The concept of "governance" is not new. It is as old as human civilization. Simply put "governance" means: the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented). Governance can be used in several contexts such as corporate governance, international governance, national governance and local governance. Since governance is the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented, an analysis of governance focuses on the formal and informal actors involved in decision-making and implementing the decisions made and the formal and informal structures that have been set in place to arrive at and implement the decision. Government is one of the actors in governance. Other actors involved in governance vary depending on the level of government that is under discussion. In rural areas, for example, other actors may include influential land lords, associations of peasant farmers, cooperatives, NGOs, research institutes, religious leaders, finance institutions political parties, the military etc. The situation in urban areas is much more complex. Figure 1 provides the interconnections between actors involved in urban governance. At the national level, in addition to the above actors, media, lobbyists, international donors, multi-national corporations, etc. may play a role in decision-making or in influencing the decision-making process. All actors other than government and the military are grouped together as part of the "civil society." In some countries in addition to the civil society, organized crime syndicates also influence decision-making, particularly in urban areas and at the national level. Similarly formal government structures are one means by which decisions are arrived at and implemented. At the national level, informal decision-making structures, such as "kitchen cabinets" or informal advisors may exist. In urban areas, organized crime syndicates such as the "land Mafia" may influence decision-making. In some rural areas locally powerful families may make or influence decision-making. Such, informal decision-making is often the result of corrupt practices or leads to corrupt practices. Click to Enlarge Figure 1: Urban actors GOOD GOVERNANCE Good governance has 8 major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society. Figure 2: Characteristics of good governance Participation Participation by both men and women is a key cornerstone of good governance. Participation could be either direct or through legitimate intermediate institutions or representatives. It is important to point out that representative democracy does not necessarily mean that the concerns of the most vulnerable in society would be taken into consideration in decision making. Participation needs to be informed and organized. This means freedom of association and expression on the one hand and an organized civil society on the other hand. Rule of law Good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially. It also requires full protection of human rights, particularly those of minorities. Impartial enforcement of laws requires an independent judiciary and an impartial and incorruptible police force. Transparency Transparency means that decisions taken and their enforcement are done in a manner that follows rules and regulations. It also means that information is freely available and directly accessible to those who will be affected by such decisions and their enforcement. It also means that enough information is provided and that it is provided in easily understandable forms and media. Responsiveness Good governance requires that institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe. Consensus oriented There are several actors and as many view points in a given society. Good governance requires mediation of the different interests in society to reach a broad consensus in society on what is in the best interest of the whole community and how this can be achieved. It also requires a broad and long-term perspective on what is needed for sustainable human development and how to achieve the goals of such development. This can only result from an understanding of the historical, cultural and social contexts of a given society or community. Equity and inclusiveness A society’s well being depends on ensuring that all its members feel that they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded from the mainstream of society. This requires all groups, but particularly the most vulnerable, have opportunities to improve or maintain their well being. Effectiveness and efficiency Good governance means that processes and institutions produce results that meet the needs of society while making the best use of resources at their disposal. The concept of efficiency in the context of good governance also covers the sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of the environment. Accountability Accountability is a key requirement of good governance. Not only governmental institutions but also the private sector and civil society organizations must be accountable to the public and to their institutional stakeholders. Who is accountable to whom varies depending on whether decisions or actions taken are internal or external to an organization or institution. In general an organization or an institution is accountable to those who will be affected by its decisions or actions. Accountability cannot be enforced without transparency and the rule of law. CONCLUSION From the above discussion it should be clear that good governance is an ideal which is difficult to achieve in its totality. Very few countries and societies have come close to achieving good governance in its totality. However, to ensure sustainable human development, actions must be taken to work towards this ideal with the aim of making it a reality.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is the capacity to endure. In ecology the word describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time. Long-lived and healthy wetlands and forests are examples of sustainable biological systems. For humans, sustainability is the potential for long-term maintenance of well being, which has ecological, economic, political and cultural dimensions.

Healthy ecosystems and environments are necessary to the survival and flourishing of humans and other organisms. There are a number of major ways of reducing negative human impact. The first of these is environmental management. This approach is based largely on information gained from earth science, environmental science and conservation biology. The second approach is management of human consumption of resources, which is based largely on information gained from economics. A third more recent approach adds cultural and political concerns into the sustainability matrix.

Sustainability interfaces with economics through the social and environmental consequences of economic activity. Sustainability economics involves ecological economics where social aspects including cultural, health-related and monetary/financial aspects are integrated. Moving towards sustainability is also a social challenge that entails international and national law,urban planning and transport, local and individual lifestyles and ethical consumerism. Ways of living more sustainably can take many forms from reorganising living conditions (e.g.,ecovillages, eco-municipalities and sustainable cities), reappraising economic sectors (permaculture, green building, sustainable agriculture), or work practices (sustainable architecture), using science to develop new technologies (green technologies, renewable energy and sustainable Fission and Fusion power), to adjustments in individual lifestyles that conserve natural resources.

MINAMATA CONVENTION

The Minamata Convention on Mercury-named after a city in Japan where serious health damage occurred as a result of mercury pollution in the mid-20th Century-provides controls and reductions across a range of products, processes and industries where mercury is used, released or emitted.

These range from medical equipment such as thermometers and energy-saving light bulbs to the mining, cement and coal-fired power sectors.

The treaty, which has been four years in negotiation and which will be open for signature at a special meeting in Japan in October, also addresses the direct mining of mercury, export and import of the metal and safe storage of waste mercury.

Pinpointing populations at risk, boosting medical care and better training of health care professionals in identifying and treating mercury-related effects will also form part of the new agreement.

Mercury and its various compounds have a range of serious health impacts including brain and neurological damage especially among the young.

Others include kidney damage and damage to the digestive system. Victims can suffer memory loss and language impairment alongside many other well documented problems.

Initial funding to fast track action until the new treaty comes into force in the expected three to five years' time has been pledged by Japan, Norway and Switzerland.

Support for developing countries is also expected from the Global Environment Facility and a programme once the convention is operational.

COMPULSORY LICENCING

What is compulsory licensing?

Compulsory licensing is a process through which a government allows the local industry to produce drugs under patent protection without the permission of the patent holder. While the global agreement on intellectual property, the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (Trips) under the WTO, says that a patent holder will have the sole right to give permission to produce its patented products on payment of a licence fee, flexibilities have been given to countries to address public health concerns by issuing compulsory licenses.It is a provision that overweighs patents act.

When can a government issue compulsory licences?

These could be issued to address any public health concern as considered appropriate by the issuing country. The Trips Agreement gives a country the freedom to decide when it wants to issue such licenses and it does not necessarily have to be an emergency. It is generally issued for producing life-saving medicines to ensure their availability at low prices.

Does compulsory licensing strip a patent holder off the right to collect license fees on patented products or process?

Not at all. Companies that are issued compulsory licenses to produce a patented product have to pay 'adequate remuneration' based on the 'economic value' to the patent holder, but there is no elaboration on what the value is.

Why has India not been issuing compulsory licenses? Why has it suddenly woken up to the need?

While the Indian Patents Act provides for issuing of compulsory licenses, the procedural guidelines and the policy framework for the same are not in place. India had been taking it easy so far, as it had a flexible patent regime till 2005, which granted protection only to processes and not the final product. This allowed other producers to manufacture generic versions using a different method.

However, ever since there was a switch-over to the more stringent product patent regime in 2005 (under which a patented product cannot be produced through any other process) to meet the country's commitments under Trips, the country has been facing a shortage of life-saving drugs such as anti-cancer medicines and prices of patented versions have been going up. This prompted the DIPP to float a note on compulsory licensing inviting comments on how the country should go about implementing it.

Can compulsory licenses be issued for exporting to other countries?

Compulsory licenses are generally issued for producing for the domestic market. However, during the Doha ministerial meet in 2001 the WTO recognised that there are countries which do not have manufacturing capacities and allowed such countries to import generic versions from other countries by issuing compulsory licenses.

CTS-2010 ( A Game Changer for Indian banking)

What is CTS 2010?

CTS 2010 is a cheque truncation system, an image-bound method, for faster clearing of cheques.

Truncation means conversion of a physical cheque into electronic form. The new system, coming into force from April 1, will eliminate the current practice of physical presentation of cheques and save processing costs.

Banks will send the scanned image to the paying bank and clearance may happen the same day. Cheque payment, will therefore, happen much faster.

Are CTS cheques payable anywhere in India?

Yes, the cheques will be payable at par at all branches of the originating bank.

What are the features of CTS cheques?

A CTS cheque bears the words 'CTS 2010' near the left margin and 'Please sign above this line' at the bottom right. These cheques have a watermark, 'CTS INDIA', visible against light.

The bank logo and details are rendered in ultraviolet (UV) ink at the top left of the cheque leaf and will be visible only under UV scanners. IFSC and MICR codes are also printed on the CTS cheques.

How safe is the new system?

It is definitely more secure than the current practice of moving physical documents from one bank to another. The present system can cause inconvenience to customers in case the instrument is lost in the transit or manipulated during the clearing cycle. Cheque truncation will eliminate such risks.

How to use a CTS cheque?

A customer will have to be very careful in filling up a CTS cheque because any alteration will make it invalid. Besides, customers should sign the new cheques with a darker ink so that their signatures remain visible after scanning.

Proposed New Syallabus and pattern Change for Next PCS MAINS exam GIVEN BY PPSC

http://ppsc.gov.in/pdf/pscscce/file1.pdf




Public Notice
Subject:  Regarding change in pattern and syllabus of Punjab State Civil
Services Main Examination with effect from Next Examination
Year.
*****
1. Punjab Public Service Commission is considering to  change the
pattern and syllabus of PCS Main Examination with effect from next
Examination year. It is observed by the Commission that the present
examination pattern is quite subjective and lengthy. Also, the
advantage that some candidates might get over others due to their
choice of optional subjects cannot be ruled out. Accordingly, a
change in pattern of Main Examination is being considered by PPSC
primarily with the aim to assess holistically the knowledge of
individuals; importance being given to aspects which assist an
individual to perform his/ her role as a civil servant more effectively,
besides providing a level playing field to all candidates irrespective
of their educational backgrounds. As such, it will be observed that all
relevant subjects have been covered in the draft syllabus.
 

What is the role of Finance Commission

A finance commission is set up very five years by the President under Article 280 of the Constitution. Its main function is to recommend how the Union government should share taxes levied by it with the states. These recommendations cover a period of five years. The commission also lays down rules by which the centre should provide grants-in-aid to states out of the Consolidated Fund of India. It is also required to suggest measures to augment the resources of states and ways to supplement the resources of panchayats and municipalities.

WHY DOES THE CONSTITUTION PROVIDE FOR SHARING OF TAX PROCEEDS?

Under the federal structure envisaged in the Constitution, most of the taxation powers are with the Centre but the bulk of spending is done by the states. Such a federal structure requires transfer of resources from the Centre, which levies and collects the big taxes such as income tax and indirect taxes like excise and customs, to the states. Canada and Australia, which also have federal governments, have a similar tax-sharing system.

CAN THE COMMISSION EXAMINE OTHER FISCAL ISSUES AS WELL?

Yes. The government can ask the commission to make suggestions on specific fiscal issues that it may want addressed. For instance, the government has asked the 14th Finance Commission to deliberate on the level of subsidies and explore statutory measures to insulate pricing of public utility services like drinking water, irrigation, power and public transport from policy fluctuations. The new commission will also look at the impact of GST and suggest a mechanism to compensate states in case of revenue loss. Besides, it will deliberate on listing, disinvestment and sale of state-owned companies.

WHAT IS THE FORCE OF THE COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS?

The Constitution does not make the recommendations of the Finance Commission binding on the government of the day. However, there is a strong precedent that governments generally go by the suggestions as far as sharing of revenues is concerned. These recommendations relating to distribution of Union taxes and duties and grants-in-aid are usually implemented by a presidential order.