Kautilya's timeless wisdom in the Arthashastra, encapsulated in the maxim, „In the happiness of the people lies the happiness of the king,'' has a striking resemblance to today's concept of „good governance.'' The importance of good governance and security cannot be overstated in India. Indian management consultancy Primus Partners explores this relationship in a research report titled 'India Takes the Lead by 2047', and finds that achieving India's good governance and security goals requires Comprehensive benefits programs have proven to be an essential path forward. A journey to 2047.
India's current situation is fraught with challenges, from effectively dealing with the population explosion to addressing health disparities, economic inequality, and social unrest. The survey found that 58% are still searching for basic needs such as education, housing, health care and meaningful employment.
It remains unclear whether current welfare programs are effective in solving these problems. It is essential to bridge the gap between tackling the problems of the past, such as food security and universal healthcare, and tackling the challenges of the future, such as nutrition and sustainable livelihoods for all. Governance and security challenges persist, especially for marginalized groups. The interconnectedness of these challenges highlights the need for comprehensive welfare programs that not only address immediate needs but also serve as pathways to fill gaps.
good governance
Good governance is not just a theoretical concept; it is a fundamental driver of progress and security. Characterized by transparency, accountability and participatory decision-making, it is of paramount importance to India's development trajectory, ensuring efficient use of resources and promoting equitable distribution of benefits.
In a diverse country like India, good governance promotes social cohesion by meeting the needs of the weak by establishing a framework of rules that promotes stability and prevents arbitrariness. To foster economic growth, good governance fosters investment and promotes sustainable development efforts.
The buzzword of 'inclusivity' holds immense potential in modern India's progress towards 2047, aimed at addressing systemic inequalities and promoting social welfare. The study found that 21 percent of the surveyed population supported social welfare, including inclusive policies, women's empowerment, gender equality, reducing the gap between rich and poor, and awareness of the economically marginalized among other important factors. It became clear that he was talking about the importance of This goes beyond traditional approaches and emphasizes accessibility and equity.
Main example
Scandinavian countries such as Sweden and Norway are prime examples, showing how strong welfare policies can reduce social unrest and enhance overall security. Additionally, investing in comprehensive programs has long-term economic and social benefits, including increased workforce productivity, reduced health care costs, and stronger social cohesion. In this context, effective governance is critical to implementing and sustaining these programs and ensuring efficient resource allocation, transparency and accountability, thereby ensuring that by 2047 The vital link between wellbeing initiatives and good governance will be strengthened for a secure future.
Comprehensive benefits programs also strengthen security in multiple dimensions and significantly contribute to national security by reducing vulnerability and strengthening resilience. Primus research examines Indians' desire to advocate for citizen-centered and effective law enforcement. India can learn much from countries like Norway and Finland, where welfare programs have strengthened security by prioritizing social protection and health care. Norway's universal healthcare system ensures fair access and contributes to trust in government.
Nurega
In India, initiatives such as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) have significantly expanded household consumption and increased non-financial assets. Poverty reduction efforts have yielded results, particularly through the success of the Public Distribution System (PDS), which has increased labor incomes. With over 206 million registered individuals, India's Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is the world's largest coronavirus-related cash transfer scheme.
Additionally, biometric ID cards through Aaadhaar have revolutionized anti-poverty efforts by replacing inefficient distribution methods with streamlined Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) programs. Success stories like this highlight the transformative potential of comprehensive benefits programs that promote good governance and security, and provide valuable lessons for replication and expansion.
Implementing a robust network of such strong welfare programs is challenging and the need of the hour is to mediate public value into citizen-centered governance to ensure effective welfare delivery. That's it. Despite increased social welfare spending, last-mile delivery hurdles remain due to inefficiencies in the sector.
cooperative federalism
To address this, we need to learn from global examples such as Brazil and the Philippines and establish a common database of potential beneficiaries to provide targeted benefits. India is moving towards family-based data repositories to improve policy interventions. However, managing such repositories requires strict data privacy and security safeguards. Ultimately, these repositories will play a key role in India's inclusive growth journey, supporting efficient budgeting of social welfare spending and improving the lives of the poorest.
In the survey, 35% cited creating a strong framework to combat corruption and promoting transparent public institutions as important priorities. Additionally, innovative financing mechanisms, capacity-building initiatives, and strong monitoring systems are essential, alongside education, awareness, and civic sensitization efforts. To ensure that everyone's aspirations are met on India's path to Vikshit Bharat, cooperative federalism and participatory decision-making are essential for effective implementation.