Examine the functional contribution of civil society to good governance.

Good governance refers to how effectively public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources. Civil society can aid the evolution of governance to good governance through:

• Policy Formulation: Civil society can be voice of common man and aid in formulation of policies which are people centric. Second administrative reforms commission called RTI act as peoples act which is owned by people of the country. Civil society had played a key role in formulation of RTI act.
• Effective implementation: Efficacy of governance is determined by the effective implementation of the schemes. Civil societies can aid in implementation of the various schemes of the government. Flagship programme of government to deal with the controlling of AIDS has a large role of civil society.
• Social Audit: Social Audit can be a vital mechanism for ensuring of accountability of the bureaucracy. Civil society can aid in conducting of social audit of schemes. Social audit by civil societies in implementation of MNREGA has aided in various deficiencies of the scheme.
• Pressure group: Often the civil societies act as pressure groups to engage governments for the undertaking actions in the interest of the society. The agitations led by India against corruption were vital in enactment of lokpal bill which was under the warps for decades.
• Vigilance: The civil society is acting as vigilant groups to ensure the fairness and honesty in the administration. Civil society is effectively utilising RTI act to keep the vigilance of the public institutions.

The engagement of civil society can make government inclusive and responsive. Being bridge between government and common man civil society can aid in enhancing the efficiency and productivity of governance.

Topics: GS-II: Role of Civil Services in Democracy