Good
Governance implies honest, transparent, accountable, responsive,
participative and people friendly administrative policies and actions.
Since independence, the focus of governance has shifted from
maintenance of law and order to Development Administration and in the
post reform era to the harnessing and regulation of market forces. The
shift in Government policies not withstanding, citizen centric
administration is the key for Good Governance.
Why are we not
participative? Why do we resist if citizens want to be involved in the
process of governance? Are we effective and efficient? What has
motivated some of us to respond to the new challenges and innovate?
These are some of the issues that are frequently debated in YASHADA,
the premier training institute of the Government of Maharashtra. To
analyze the process of policy formulation and implementation within
the framework of Good Governance is the basic mandate of ATI. It was
formerly known as Public System Administration/Centre for Good
Governance. It provides basic training to directly recruited Class-l
officers of Government of Maharashtra viz. Tahsildars, Deputy
Collectors, Sales Tax Officers and Officers from Maharashtra
Development Service. YASHADA established the Centre for Good
Governance (CGG) during the year 2002.It consists of five faculty
members with vast experience in the field of Governance. They are
dedicated to the cause of spreading awareness about the concept of
Good Governance.
The vision of
the ATI
is to make 'Common citizen the focal point of Governance'.
The mission of
the ATI
is 'to develop the culture of service within the framework of rule of
law.'
Objectives of the ATI
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To acquaint the newly
inducted officers with the dynamics and complexities of
development administration and to equip them to face long-term
challenges.
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To acquaint the in-service
officers with the latest developments in the field of development
administration.
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To study and research on
various issues which have bearing on the development
administration.
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To undertake projects and
consultancies to respond to the specific issues of good
governance.
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To disseminate the knowledge
so generated to various groups e.g. officials, public
representatives and NGOs.
For the above
purpose, faculty members of the ATI carry out extensive consultation
with various institutions belonging to Government and Non Government
sectors. They conduct research, document and evaluate the current
practices of governance. The
ATI also disseminates the same through well conceived training
modules. During the year 2002-03, the Centre conducted 69 courses on a
variety of subjects including Citizen's Charter, Motivational
Techniques, Contemporary Value System, Gender Issues, Human Rights,
Ethics in Administration etc. Participants are not only Government
officials but also non-officials and NGOs. The ATI also conducts
foundation / induction training programmes for recently recruited /
promoted Class-l and Class-2 officers of Government of Maharashtra.
Research Projects
The ATI has
undertaken two projects sponsored by the Ford Foundation.
As a part of
the first project, the ATI is studying and documenting best practices
in rural and urban sectors. It has also published and circulated a
booklet specifying the criteria for a practice/s to be termed as the
best practice. The ATI is collaborating with 'Panchayat Raj'
Institutions as well as Municipal Corporations/Councils. It has
undertaken studies on following topics.
ATI has also
undertaken extensive studies in the working of the Collectorates in
Maharashtra. Besides going deep into the current system at
Collectorate with special reference to grievance redressal the Centre
proposes to give concrete recommendations on making this crucial
office in the district, more citizen-friendly and efficient. Another
area of expertise that the ATI has developed is in relation to the
Citizens Charter. The need for a charter and how to go about
developing the same. The faculty has plans to undertake extensive
outreach program in the state to familiarize officials and staff with
these basic concepts which if put in practice shall enable us to
provide a citizen friendly and responsive Government. We are in the
process of disseminating the newly passed Right to Information Act and
have already held a workshop that received tremendous response from
citizens and officials.
Consultancy
The ATI is
providing extensive consultancy services to various Government
Departments. The Sales Tax Department and Labour Department of
Government of Maharashtra have recently made use of our competence in
this regard.
Achievements
ATI has
developed its own web site that displays latest thoughts/schemes
related to Good Governance. It also provides discussion and chatting
facility to encourage interaction amongst officers / academicians/
citizens interested in the subject.
Kindly visit
us at http://yashadacgg.mah.nic.in
We are also linked with http://www.yashada.org
The ATI has
also undertaken a DoPT sponsored project
on strengthening of ATIs and is in the process of preparing
three training modules on topics viz. Human Rights, Duties and
Responsibilities of Drawing and Disbursing Officers and Disaster
Management. Hard copies of all the three modules have been prepared
and the ATI is in the process of procuring soft copies. All the
faculty members have been receiving regular training inputs from
prominent training institutions to sharpen their skills and are
devoted to the theme of good governance.
Advisory Committee
A Committee
consisting of representatives from civil society, academicians, NGOs
and senior government officials has been constituted to provide
direction to the ATI.
We, at the ATI
believe in constant interaction with the field level officials and
NGOs. Their rich experience adds value to the theoretical framework,
and we test our propositions with the touchstone of feedback that
field operators provide us through regular interaction.
We are in the
continuous process of evaluating ourselves and look forward to lively
and meaningful interaction.
Publications
Due to
extensive research work undertaken by institutes' faculty, we have
eminent publications to our credit.
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A Handbook for Training
Course Management - Ramesh M. Vaswani
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Land Records Department:
Training Manual - B. K. Ithape
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Compendium of Powers and
Functions of Collectors under Various Enactments and Rules in
Maharashtra - C.
N. joshi
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Executive Magistrates:
Powers Functions and Procedures - P. E.
Caikwad
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Manvadhikar: Police Yashachi
Gurukilli - Bhaskarrao Misar
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Globalisation and the
Changing Role of the State: An Indian View - R.
Balakrishnan
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A Distance Learning Module:
Protection and Promotion of Human Rights -
Pravin Dixit
