Hyderabad : Governance is possible without Government informed A. K. Goel, a retired IAS officer who is formally a Special Chief Secretary, Government of India.  Giving his concluding remarks at a Panel Discussion “Promoting Good Governance” organised jointly by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd and Public Relations Council of India(PRCI) here in city at Hotel Park, Rajbhavan Road  on Wednesday night.  Panel Discussion was orgnaised coinciding with Vigilance Awareness Week.

Mr. A. K Goel earlier inaugurated the meeting and gave his concluding remarks at the end of the Panel Discussion which was moderated by Mr. Sivaramakrishna, Former Addtitioinal Director General of Center fo Good Governance.  The Panelists included Mr. N.K. Balakrishnan currently working at Central Bank of India, Dr. C.V. Narsimha Reddy, a former Bureaucrat and doyen Indian Public Relations among others.

Speaking further he added that before formal governance came into existence, thousands of years ago people used government themselves.  Self Governance was exercised with much more caution and proved very effective he said.  What is Governance, he asked and explained that “Manner in which power is exercised in management of resources of a country” is Governance.

Adding further he stated that None of the Above (NOTA), also called as “against all” or a “scratch” vote, a ballot option instruction issued by Election Commission to the Chief Electoral Officers of states and Union Territories is going to be a powerful tool, he said and suggested Elections Commision must go one step ahead and even make “voting Compulsory “ as prevailed in many countries.  If not, they can at least think of some fine.  If an eligible voter does not vote he or she may be subjected to punitive measures such as fines or community service. Imposing some fine, let us say Rs 1000/-.  can also be examined he said.  Such practices are in vogue in some countries.  And we can look at them seriously added Mr. Goel.

Many eligible voters refrain from voting. They keep themselves away from once a 5 year process, which is very important.  Those who dont go to vote, should not have right to demand anything from their elected representative, he said.  Governance is a continuous process. It needs to be nurtured all the times he said and concluded his remarks.

Earlier participating in the Panel Discussion, one of the Panelists Dr. C.V. Nramsimha Reddy, a former bureaucrat quoting a survey published earlier said that it revealed “corruption” as the biggest defect in our governance.  The same survey also revealed “bureaucracy” as the worst element of the Democracy.  In Indian system of politics, our politicians have slipped down ethically, morally and socially, he said.

Adding further he stated that the same survey also revealed out of 16 institutions on Credibility parameter. Police as an institution ranked 16th and least credible organizations, he said.  The only known government machinery in the nookest corner of the country is Police Station and corruption begins from there, he said.

We have history of good governance which existed 2000 years ago.  Great emperor Ashoka exhibited it, he said.  But, unfortunately Government of India slept for 44 years after independence and woke up in 1991 that too at the behest of the World Bank who said traditional governance can not pay thier loans. Hence, came Good Governance.

There are 18 to 20 Characteristics of Good Governance of which he highlighted five which are as follows: 01. People’s participation, 2. Transparency, 3. Responsiveness, 4. Accountability and finally 5. Right to Information.   These are the Key attributes of good governance.

Another panelist Balakrishnan said “media being guardian is also exposed involving in corrupt practices”, he said. Everyone must participate in the governing process, then only good governance can be promoted, he observed.

A member of the audience Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy, from Institute of Public Enterprises observed that Individual Social Responsibility is more important than the Corporate Ssocial Responsibility being talked about he opnied.  Madan Babu from another member of the audience who working with the Ministry of Culture said politicians are not corrupt.  It is the bureaucrats who make them corrupt.

The moderator Mr. Sivaramakrishna in lighter vein said unlike mother day which is celebrated for one day, at least we have 7 days to remember Good Governance as it is observed for 7 days as part of Vigilance Awareness Week this month he said.

Nearly 200 people attended the Panel Discussion.  It was graced by V. Sekhar, Exeuctive Director of Powergrid, B.M. Patnaik, General Manager of Powergrid, Dr. Ghisulal Jain, Chairman of Hyderabad Chapter of PRCI and many office bearers of PRCI and employees of Powergrid Corporation, Central Bank of India and many other organisations.