Articles on Governance

Will trained workers in Panchayats improve the quality of NREGA?

Published by Vivek August 15th, 2009 in Current Affairs, Governance, NREGA and Social Policy. 3 Comments

Mihir Shah argued in a recent article that trained workers should be appointed in each Panchayat if NREGA has to fulfill its promises. While Panchayats need personnel to implement NREGA, I argue that for the purpose of planning it would be better to create nodal agencies that take up planning sound works in a campaign mode.

Usability: Giving information is not enough

Published by Vivek July 16th, 2009 in Governance, India and Right to Information. 0 Comments

Data, data everywhere, not a bit to use: Why the Budget website is informative but nearly useless, and how to make it usable
The Government of India (GoI) has an informative website with all budget speeches and the complete set of budget proposals. Consider these simple questions:
1. Which department got the highest outlay?
2. What has happened to [...]

8 Principles for open government data & beyond

Published by Vivek July 16th, 2009 in Governance, India and Right to Information. 0 Comments

In an age of digital information, how should government publish electronic data in keeping with high standards of right to information.

Will the Unique ID project improve accountability?

Published by Vivek July 5th, 2009 in Governance, India, NREGA and Right to Information. 3 Comments

Improving accountability depends on political and social initiatives, and not technological solutions. But technology can shape society and politics in limited ways. This article looks briefly at how the Unique id project can help in improving accountability of the government to people in India.

Overview of institutional change in Tamil Nadu & Governance

Published by Vivek November 23rd, 2008 in Governance, India and My research. 0 Comments

An overview of institutional changes in Tamil Nadu over two centuries that explains the state’s relatively good governance
Myron Weiner argued that India’s failure in providing universal education was due to the hierarchical mindset of the elite politicians and bureaucrats who did not consider it essential for children from the lower castes to be educated. [...]

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