Answer: In the period of dual government i.e., 1765-1772, the Indian officials under the overall control of the British governor and British officials had 'responsibility but no power' while the company officials had 'power but no responsibility'. This presented problems of exploitation of powersRead more
Answer: In the period of dual government i.e., 1765-1772, the Indian officials under the overall control of the British governor and British officials had ‘responsibility but no power’ while the company officials had ‘power but no responsibility’. This presented problems of exploitation of powers & rampant corruption and also attracted the jealousy of other sections of British society, especially politicians and merchants who wanted to be a part of the huge profit being generated in India. The question of the nature of relations between the East India Company (EIC) and its possessions with the government in Britain was therefore subsequently settled through incremental acts & regulations, such as: Regulating Act, 1773:
- It recognised, for the first time, the political and administrative functions of the Company.
- It strengthened the control of the British Government over the Company by requiring the Court of Directors (governing body of the Company) to report on its revenue, civil, and military affairs in India.
- The Governor of Bengal was made the Governor-General of Bengal and the governors of Madras and Bombay were made subordinate to him.
- It prohibited the servants of the Company from engaging in any private trade or accepting presents or bribes from the natives.
Pitt’s India Act, 1784:
- It distinguished between the commercial and political functions of the Company and for the first time the company’s territories in India were identified as British possessions.
- It allowed the Court of Directors (EIC representative) to manage the commercial affairs but created a new body called Board of Control (represented by the British government) to manage the political affairs. Thus, it established a system of double government or Dual Control.
- It empowered the Board of Control to supervise and direct all operations of the civil and military government or revenues of the British possessions in India.
Charter Act, 1793:
- It was aimed at reviewing the Charter granted to EIC by the Regulating Act of 1773.
- It continued the trade monopoly of EIC for another 20 years, however, the Company was asked to pay 5 lakh pounds annually from the Indian revenues to the British government (after paying its necessary expenses).
- It separated revenue administration and judicial functions of the Company and hence led to the disappearance of Maal Adalats (revenue courts).
- Senior officials of the Company were debarred from leaving India without permission.
- It laid down that the members of the Board of Control and their staff were to be paid out of the Indian revenues. This practice continued till 1919 and was one of the major reasons behind the drain of wealth.
Charter Act, 1813: The company’s rule was extended to another 20 years. However, their trade monopoly was ended except for the trade in tea, opium, and with China. Charter Act, 1813:
- This Act was the final step towards centralization of India’s administration.
- It ended all commercial activities of the EIC including monopoly over trade with China and in tea.
- The post of the Governor-General of India was created and he was entrusted with legislative power over the entire British India. All revenues were raised under his authority and he had complete control over the expenditure too. Now, the power to superintend, control and direct all civil and military affairs of the Company was under him.
Thus, various acts of the Parliament completely subordinated the company and its Indian administration to the British Government. This allowed the British to create a new system of administration to serve their purposes.
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New Public Administration (NPA) is a paradigm shift in the field of public administration that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s. It was a reaction to the traditional, bureaucratic, and hierarchical approach of public administration, which was perceived as being inefficient, unresponsive, and disconnecRead more
New Public Administration (NPA) is a paradigm shift in the field of public administration that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s. It was a reaction to the traditional, bureaucratic, and hierarchical approach of public administration, which was perceived as being inefficient, unresponsive, and disconnected from the needs of the people.
The key principles and ideas underlying the NPA approach are:
Responsiveness: NPA emphasizes the need for public administration to be responsive to the needs and demands of citizens, rather than just following rigid rules and procedures.
Equity and Social Justice: NPA advocates for the promotion of equity, social justice, and the empowerment of marginalized groups in the delivery of public services.
Participation and Decentralization: NPA encourages citizen participation in the decision-making process and the decentralization of power to local governments and communities.
Efficiency and Effectiveness: NPA focuses on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of public organizations through the use of modern management techniques, such as strategic planning, performance measurement, and customer-oriented service delivery.
Accountability and Transparency: NPA stresses the importance of accountability and transparency in the functioning of public organizations, with a focus on improving the accessibility and responsiveness of public services.
In the context of India’s administration, the NPA approach is highly relevant, as it aligns with the country’s efforts to improve the delivery of public services and promote good governance. Some key areas where the NPA approach is applicable and relevant to India include:
Decentralization and Empowerment of Local Governments: India has made significant strides in decentralizing power and empowering local governments, such as through the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which have enhanced the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies.
See lessCitizen Participation and Responsiveness: Initiatives like the Right to Information Act, the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, and the Swachh Bharat Mission have aimed to increase citizen participation and the responsiveness of public administration to the needs of the people.
Social Justice and Equity: India’s policies and programs, such as affirmative action, reservation systems, and targeted welfare schemes, have sought to promote social justice and the empowerment of marginalized communities.
Efficiency and Effectiveness: The government’s push for e-governance, the use of technology in service delivery, and the emphasis on performance management and outcome-based monitoring are all aligned with the NPA approach.
Overall, the NPA approach provides a valuable framework for India’s public administration to become more responsive, accountable, and effective in addressing the needs and aspirations of its citizens.