Citizens are now expected to fight for what should rightfully accrue to them as a matter of routine. And this is in addition to paying all kinds of taxes which helps run governments. All in the name of active citizenry. This shift from public administration to private management is not advisable
Among the most noticeable developments in recent years is the appeal of governments and government institutions to citizens to take active part in matters affecting their lives, as an integral part of functioning democracy. From a small beginning touching few parts of people’s lives, this phenomenon has now expanded to many areas. And many citizens too have taken this to their hearts and are busy getting into this or that area. You now have many local area committees, resident associations and other such organizations that citizens have felt compelled to form to protect their basic rights or maintain a vigil over any transgressions. Citizen participation (largely through NGOs) is getting a boost. Almost every politician (in power or otherwise) appeals to people to get involved.
While all of this is happening, a basic question seems to have been forgotten – what is the responsibility of governments? Isn’t paying taxes honestly sufficient discharge of duties as citizens? Is it fair to expect more out of them, especially in areas where governments even collect specific taxes? Consider education cess which we Indians pay and consider also the enormous number of NGOs working in the field of education and with many marginalized sections, striving hard to generate some access to education for some of the children from these section. Why, when education cess is being collected by the government? To the extent, an NGO becomes an agency through which this cess gets actually spent on education, it is fine. Else, this is a very disturbing development that shows no signs of abating.
If anything, this illogical and mindless phenomenon is gathering momentum, especially with the proliferation of NGOs. Not only is this illogical and mindless, but this is patently wrong and destructive of the very concept of governments’ responsibility. And this is happening even as the number of people working in the government is increasing.
Why do law-abiding, tax-paying citizens have to do more for what they are paying taxes for? More so in a country when such a population is a small part. This is changing the character of politics in India, with participating NGOs, local bodies, wittingly or unwittingly becoming channels for frontline political parties.
However much I am critical of this, I am also realistic enough to know that this is not going to stop. The growing number of scandals affecting everyday lives of people adds fuel to this phenomenon ably assisted by the apathy of institutions who should respond but who don’t.
This takes us to the so-called sociology of interest groups, which sees society as an amalgam of several competing interest groups vying for a share of the pie. Several years ago, when a certain section of the population was being discriminated against in Tamil Nadu, the then CM advised them to form themselves into some association if they wanted to be heard. And they did.
We are doomed to form groups only to see them fizzle out after a while or become sclerotic. Such is the fate of modern living. Civics is for text-books.
Takeaways
Governments appeal to citizens to take active role
Active citizenry has become fashionable and frustrating
Many NGOs have gotten into the field
