UPSC 2020 Exam - GENERAL STUDIES 4
Citizens Charter is an instrument through which the government end owners to improve its services to
the citizens of the country.The citizen’s charter basically has two dimensions:
- Quality dimension in which the quality of the services provided by the government is improved.
- The temporal dimension is that the services the government is providing should happen in a
time-bound manner.
The citizen’s charter builds institutional capacity in order to provide the services in a time-bound
manner. It focuses on the behavioral change of the staff and improving courteousness.
The concept of citizen’s charter started in the UK in the year 1991 and India has adapted it from the UK.
Purpose of a citizen charter:
- It gives clarity to the expectations of the citizens in regard to the services being provided to
them.
- Enables the government to become more responsive
- Enhances stakeholder participation
- To Strengthen accountability which increases the efficiency of the organization
- Improves the credibility and image of the government
The citizen’s charter is expected to incorporate the vision of the organization so that it provides the
people with all the information regarding the charter.
WORK CULTURE
Work culture is a set of practices, values and shared beliefs within an organization and a product of
traditions, history, vision, and values.
A HEALTHY WORK CULTURE
Characteristics:
- Treats each employee in the same manner
- Respect for each other
- Employees are included in decision making
- The judgment of the employee is based on the work done only
- Employees feedback is considered
- Employees, if under perform at some point, are not criticized and good work is appreciated
UTILIZATION OF PUBLIC FUND
In India, public funds are not utilized efficiently by the government. Sometimes they are not utilized for important issues and involve a lot of corruption and the citizens of the country do not get any benefit.
ASPECTS OF FUND UTILIZATION
- The funds should be utilized efficiently and get the maximum benefit
- Manner of fund utilization
- The outcome of the utilization of funds should be good
- Source of funds
- Auditing of fund utilization is very important after the fund has been invested
BUDGET
- Government funds are provided by the budget
- Expenditure of the government funds cannot be made without the approval of the parliament.
- Funds can be allocated to government departments, Panchayati raj institutions, and
Non-Governmental Organisations
- Periodic utilization certificate should be submitted by agencies receiving government funds
CONCEPT OF PUBLIC SERVICES AND QUALITY OF SERVICE DELIVERY
Services provided by the government or its agencies by a social agreement are known as public services and are enforced through directive principles of state policies or the democratic elections. It is not profitable and is offered to all the citizens.
Public services include functions and functionaries
- Functions: Public utility services are provided by the government like basic amenities,
infrastructure, law, and order, etc.
- Functionaries: Executive, army and judiciary.
Quality of Service Delivery challenges
- Focus is on service providers rather than the receivers
- Corruption and absence of performance
- At grass root levels the services are not provided efficiently or are unresponsive
Corruption is spreading widely all around the world and decreasing economic growth. Inequality of
wealth and distribution, exploitation at workplaces and low wages provide ground for corruption
CHALLENGES OF CORRUPTION
- Investment in human capital is very less as compared to the public infrastructure
- Corruption increases through the unequal distribution of income among the people
- It lowers productivity and policies are not effective
- Encourages business by violating tax and regulatory laws
The UPSC 2020 schedule includes these topics and is very important for the examination. As of now, the UPSC 2020 notification will be out on 12 th February and UPSC 2020 form last date is 3rd March. Keep yourself updated in case of any changes regarding the dates.