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Home/UPSC: Transparency in Government: Right to Information, Citizen’s Charters

Mains Answer Writing Latest Questions

Sammi Bhargav
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Sammi BhargavBegginer
Asked: July 1, 2024In:
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Digital tyranny and data colonization are potential outcomes of an excessive reliance on data-driven technologies. Talk about the different problems that could occur in this situation and offer solutions. (Answer in 150 words)

UPSC: Transparency in Government: Right to Information, Citizen’s Charters
  1. Veer Singh
    Veer Singh Begginer

    Data colonization is the process by which multinational corporations claim ownership of and privatize the data that is produced by their users and citizens, which gives them disproportionate power and ability to exploit other countries. Digital Dictatorship is when few groups, corporations, and evenRead more

    Data colonization is the process by which multinational corporations claim ownership of and privatize the data that is produced by their users and citizens, which gives them disproportionate power and ability to exploit other countries. Digital Dictatorship is when few groups, corporations, and even governments can monopolize the immense power of data and Al to create an extremely unequal society or totalitarian regime.

    This may lead to several issues:

    • Economic monopoly, as across the world most industries are dependent on harvested data. For e.g. in the textile sector, companies would gather data on customers’ likes, preferences, and trends. So if a company can colonize this data, it can monopolize the textile industry.
    • Technological monopoly, as all of the sophisticated technologies like Al and machine learning are produced in a few developed countries and can be used to exploit the rest of the world.
    • Privacy issues, as people spend more time online, and extremely personal aspects can be shared with different stakeholders without consent.
    • Infiltration of technology in daily lives along with ongoing developments in Big Data analytics, has provided surveillance opportunities for governments and private players.
    • The volume of data on the internet is expanding exponentially and the spread of new technologies like IoT, Big Data poses a threat as all these tools collect data. It may lead to theft of data.

    Steps that can be taken in this regard:

    • There is a need to intensify efforts on international rule-making in the digital economy, especially in data flows and e-commerce, while promoting enhanced protections for IPR, personal information, and cyber security.
    • For effective implementation of the data protection regime, it is imperative that all the stakeholders should align their policies with the requirement of data protection and explore the possible consent requirements at the time of data collection.
    • There is a need to create interoperable data-sharing frameworks, that support the responsible and ethical cross-border sharing of data.
    • Due importance must be given to public awareness, better implementation and regulation as well as effective grievance redressal mechanisms.

    With the increasing use of data-driven technology there is a serious threat of data colonization and digital dictatorship making it imperative that global data governance should be transparent and developing countries should be helped with digital economic policy.

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Ajay Sundar
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Ajay SundarLearner
Asked: January 21, 2025In:
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Roadmap for Answer Writing Introduction Briefly define citizen charters. State their primary purpose: to empower and inform citizens about their rights, services, and responsibilities. Explain the Role of Citizen Charters in Empowering Citizens Discuss how citizen charters promote transparency, accountability, and participation by clearly outlining ...

UPSC: Transparency in Government: Right to Information, Citizen’s Charters
  1. Team
    Best Answer
    Team Supreme

    Model Answer Empowering Through Information Citizen charters enhance transparency by clearly outlining the services available, which empowers citizens to access these services effectively. By specifying rights and entitlements, they enable citizens to hold government agencies accountable for timelyRead more

    Model Answer

    Empowering Through Information

    Citizen charters enhance transparency by clearly outlining the services available, which empowers citizens to access these services effectively. By specifying rights and entitlements, they enable citizens to hold government agencies accountable for timely service delivery.

    Standardization of Procedures

    One of the key benefits of citizen charters for the bureaucracy is the standardization of procedures. By clearly defining service procedures and timelines, citizen charters help streamline operations. This reduces processing times and minimizes confusion, which improves service accuracy and decreases the need for rework.

    Performance Benchmarking

    Citizen charters establish specific service standards, allowing bureaucrats to benchmark their performance. This facilitates self-assessment and highlights areas for improvement, fostering a culture of accountability within the administration .

    Increased Public Trust

    By promoting transparency and accountability, citizen charters enhance trust between citizens and bureaucrats. This not only reduces grievances but also cultivates a positive image of the bureaucracy. When citizens feel heard and valued, it leads to a more cooperative relationship.

    Improved Morale and Motivation

    The visibility of their impact on citizens can lead to higher job satisfaction among bureaucrats. Citizen charters can also serve as a platform to recognize and reward those who consistently provide high-quality services, boosting morale and motivation within the workforce.

    Conclusion: Service Improvement

    Feedback mechanisms included in citizen charters allow for data collection that informs service improvement initiatives. This data-driven approach enables bureaucracies to adapt and respond more effectively to the needs of citizens, ultimately enhancing service quality.

    In summary, while citizen charters are designed to empower citizens, they also offer numerous benefits to the bureaucracy, fostering a more efficient, accountable, and motivated administrative system.

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Ajay Sundar
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Ajay SundarLearner
Asked: January 21, 2025In:
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Roadmap for Answer Writing Introduction Briefly explain that access to information is a public right recognized globally, especially under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). State that sharing information by the government is crucial for transparency, accountability, and effective governance. Key Principles for ...

UPSC: Transparency in Government: Right to Information, Citizen’s Charters
  1. Team
    Best Answer
    Team Supreme

    Model Answer Introduction Access to information is a fundamental human right, recognized under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). Governments are expected to ensure transparency and accountability in their dealings by providing citizens with access to public information.Read more

    Model Answer

    Introduction

    Access to information is a fundamental human right, recognized under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). Governments are expected to ensure transparency and accountability in their dealings by providing citizens with access to public information. This principle is foundational for democracy and the protection of freedoms.

    Key Principles for Information Sharing by the Government:

    1. Maximum Disclosure:
      • Governments should operate on the presumption that all public-held information is available for public access, except for a limited number of specific cases (e.g., national security). Information should be disclosed unless there is a compelling reason not to.
      • Example: India’s Right to Information Act, 2005, emphasizes transparency in governance by mandating the release of public records unless it pertains to sensitive national security matters.
    2. Obligation to Publish:
      • Public bodies should not only respond to requests for information but also proactively publish key documents and reports of public interest to promote transparency.
      • Example: Government websites frequently publish annual reports, budgets, and statistics that are publicly accessible.
    3. Promotion of Open Government:
      • Governments should encourage a culture of openness, informing citizens about their rights to access information and ensuring that information is presented in an accessible manner.
      • Example: Public awareness campaigns and government portals inform citizens of how to request information.
    4. Limited Scope of Exceptions:
      • Exceptions to transparency should be narrowly defined, such as for national security or personal privacy, and should never be used to shield governmental wrongdoing.
      • Example: Information about government corruption or illegal activities should not be kept confidential.
    5. Processes to Facilitate Access:
      • Information requests should be processed promptly, fairly, and without unnecessary barriers. Special provisions should be made for vulnerable groups.
      • Example: Assistance for illiterate or disabled citizens in obtaining information.
    6. Cost Considerations:
      • The cost to access public information should be reasonable and not deter citizens from seeking important details.
      • Example: The Right to Information Act in India mandates nominal fees for filing requests.
    7. Protection for Whistleblowers:
      • Whistleblowers who expose wrongdoing should be protected from retaliation, ensuring that those who reveal public interest information are safeguarded.
      • Example: Whistleblower protection laws in many countries safeguard individuals who expose corruption or misconduct.

    Conclusion

    The above principles provide a framework for ensuring transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in government functioning. By adhering to these principles, governments can build greater public trust, improve governance, and empower citizens to participate actively in democratic processes.

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Shyamlal Sharma
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Shyamlal SharmaLearner
Asked: June 13, 2024In:
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Outline the moral precepts that serve as the foundation for a citizen’s charter. Talk about its efficacy and goal in India as well.(Answer in 150 words)

UPSC: Transparency in Government: Right to Information, Citizen’s Charters
  1. Vishal Singh
    Vishal Singh Begginer

    Answer: The concept of a Citizen's Charter enshrines the trust between the service provider and its users. A Citizen's Charter outlines the service commitment of organizations or service providers towards providing quality, high-standard services, including mechanisms for grievance redressal. EthicaRead more

    Answer: The concept of a Citizen’s Charter enshrines the trust between the service provider and its users. A Citizen’s Charter outlines the service commitment of organizations or service providers towards providing quality, high-standard services, including mechanisms for grievance redressal. Ethical principles on which the Citizen’s Charter is formulated are:

    • Quality: It focuses on improving the quality of services by setting adequate standards. It also specifies what to expect and how to act if the standards are not met.
    • Choice: Wherever possible, it encourages access and promotion of choice.
    • Value: It aims at gaining value for the taxpayers’ money.
    • Accountability: It envisages accountability of the concerned individuals and organizations.
    • Transparency: There is transparency with regard to rules, procedures, schemes, and grievances.

    The purpose of a Citizen’s Charter as outlined by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) are as follows:

    • Citizen-friendly system: To construct a systematic effort to focus on the commitment of an organization towards its citizens.
    • Ensuring accountability: To provide a system of enforcement to monitor the developments and ensure that they are in compliance with the rules.
    • Empowering the citizens: This is done by encouraging the members of the public to express their views freely on the difficulties faced by them in getting their work done in public offices and in availing public services.

    The Citizen’s Charter has increased the participation of the common man in the efficient working of an organization by making the citizens aware of the aims and goals of the organization. Further, it has helped in reducing corruption by ensuring transparency and accountability and has also led to a citizen-friendly system in order to promote good governance. However, there have been certain shortcomings with respect to its effective implementation, such as:

    • Lack of a consultative process: It has become a “one size fits all” document without regular consultation with all the stakeholders.
    • Non-sensitized and untrained staff: Commitments of the Charter cannot be expected to be delivered by a workforce that is unaware of the spirit and content of the Charter.
    • Inadequate publicity of the Charters: In most departments, the Charter has not been given the required publicity.
    • Bureaucratic hurdles: Frequent transfers and reshuffling of the concerned officers at the crucial stages of formulation/implementation of the Citizen’s Charter hamper the progress of the initiative.
    • Unrealistic standards: This has created an unfavorable impression on the users as the high standards that are set in the Charter have not been met.

    A Citizen’s Charter essentially focuses on the rights of the public and the obligations of the public servants. Redesigning, re-engineering, and restructuring the Charter by providing wider consultation and awareness generation through customer surveys and customer Councils, including an external review process, involving and empowering frontline employees and their capacity building through training and building on new skills will be required to make it more dynamic and citizen-friendly.

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