India’s 1.25 billion citizens have higher expectations about their future today, than they have ever
had before. They have seen the economy grow much faster in the past 10 years than it did earlier, and deliver visible benefits to a large number of people. This has understandably raised the expectations of all sections, especially those who have benefited less. Our people are now much more aware of what is possible, and they will settle for no less. The Twelfth Five Year Plan must rise to the challenge of meeting these high expectations.
The Initial Conditions
Though expectations have mounted, the circumstances in which the Twelfth Plan has commenced
are less favorable than at the start of the Eleventh Plan in 2007–08. At that time, the economy
was growing robustly, the macroeconomic balance was improving and global economic developments were supportive. The situation today is much more difficult. The global economy is going through what looks like a prolonged slowdown. The domestic economy has also run up against several internal constraints. Macro-economic imbalances have surfaced following the fiscal expansion undertaken after 2008 to give a fiscal stimulus to the economy.Inflationary pressures have built up. Major investment projects in energy and transport have slowed down because of a variety of implementation problems. Some changes in tax treatment in the 2012–13 have caused uncertainty among investors.
IMPROVING PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY
A number of services are today provided by the State Governments and Central Ministries. These
include ration cards, caste certificates, income certificates, certificates for proof of residence, passports and similar other services. It is important that these are available within a prescribed time line. Failures and deficiencies in delivery of public services lead to dissatisfaction and public anger against the government.
Combating Corruption
The third major area of concern in achieving good governance is the elimination of corruption.
Corruption is a problem which arises in all countries,developed or developing, and it is self evident
that corruption is not only morally objectionable,but also that it leads to serious economic distortions.
No country can afford to ignore the problem of corruption and all must find ways of combating
it. Governance reform aims at improving the working efficiency of government departments, providing mechanisms to ensure efficient delivery of public services, transparency and accountability of public officials, and an efficient civil service. Public service delivery is the window through which government is viewed, and deficient tardy and defective delivery breeds corruption.
