It is usual for an author of any book to write a preface to explain the purpose of writing the book and also to explain the choice of the subject on which it is written. Accordingly. I have attempted to explain this in this small preamble. Performances of government and good governance have recently been topics of public discussion. Good governance is not a subject of mere academic discussion amongst experts of political science. It is a matter of grave concern for political leaders and public administrators. It is a demand of civil society as well as pubic workers, and above all, it is a cry of a common man. Lessons of good governance are not to be preached. Training in art of administration may be useful, but real need is to practice good governance i.e., to offer good governance for good of the people.
Having served as administrator in Saurashtra, I have come across several incidents which go to show what good governance is. Requisites of good governance are allegiance to constitution, respect towards constitutional authorities, free and fair elections, ethical norms for candidates seeking election, political will to enact legislation with a view to decide policies which may satisfy needs and aspiration of people, and cultivation of discipline to enforce decisions with due transparency and accountability.
In an effort to deal with these topics, I have narrated certain incidents which are relevant to the present subject. They are real incidents many of which are mentioned in authoritative writings. No doubt there are acts of good governance on the part of the Central and some State Governments but they are overshadowed by political motives, ill-conceived decisions, its ineffective implementations because of some pressure and wide-spread corruption. In this situation, it seems useful to highlight such incidents which may be a pointer for leading to good governance.
About the plan of the book. I have written a chapter under the title 'Introductory'. In this chapter, historical background is given about freedom of India, lapse of paramountcy, framing of constitution by Constituent Assembly consisting of elected representatives of the people and establishment of a sovereign democratic republic in India. This is with a view to clarify concepts of sovereignty of the people, supremacy of the constitution and emphasizing need for government to faithfully follow the constitution.
In subsequent chapters, topics regarding good governance are discussed with relevant incidents.
It is hoped that this effort will be useful as a guide for correction in the political governance. It is after all for the public functionaries, public administrators and enlightened citizens to work in co-operation for establishment of good governance in the country.
Dr. Vasantbhai Mehta is highly respectable name in the administrative service of first in Saurashtra and then in Gujarat.
He was a close colleague of Dhebarbhai during the implementation of Land Reforms of Saurashtra usually defined as 'Bloodless Revolution. It is learnt that these land reforms were even praised by communist rulers of Kerala. During this period I was in twenties and was with Socialist Party.
Dr. V.R. Mehta has in nutshell given an outline of various environment in which Good Governance can grow and bloom as our experience says that it can not be achieved in isolation.
I remember many instances of achievements of Saurashtra Government, its ministers and administrators - as a youth who was politically a decentor.
I remember one incident. At that time I was working in Bhavnagar. In Bhavnagar, we had organized a severe strike of sweepers and Valmiki employees of Municipality. After few days, Dhebarbhai came to Bhavnagar to resolve the strike. We met Dhebarbhai in Majirajwadi which was state Guest House.
We were young and argumentative Dhebarbhai intervened and told me putting his hand on my shoulder. "You are hope of tomorrow's India and we are only bridge for you so that you can reach your destination of tomorrow. We differ with your views but are not against them."
In a sense Dhebarbhai was a great liberal.
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