| Summary, etc |
Democracy is that form of government in which the will of the peoples prevails over political authority. The government is not only limited and representative but also accountable to the people for all it's imissions and commissions. India is the largest democracy of the world having over 95 crore voters and has successfully conducted so far 17 general elections with many more Assembly and by-elections. How fair and free elections are, determine the quality of democracy? The quality of opportunity, accessibility and level of citizens of policy formula and governance of the country, are the other determines of democratic governance. To ensure it, Government of India enacted may progressive and people centric legislation including Consumer Protection Act, 1986, Citizen Charter Act, 1994, Right to Information Act, 2005, MNREGA, 2005, National Food Security Act, 2013 and Right to Service Act, 2016 besides 52nd, 61st, 73rd, and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts. Thus, India is made a stride in all walks of life varying from science and technology to health and education, economics growth to military on one hand and on the other glaring socio-economic inequality, unemployment, Pollution, rising debt and fiscal mismanagement, corruption, politicisation of bureaucracy, rising crime, violation of human rights, unrest, law and order problems etc are prevalent in it. Mere availability of such progressive and welfare laws is not sufficient for a healthy and vibrant democracy, rather equally important is the practical applicability of these laws and regulations. As India is celebrating it's 75th years of independence under the banner of Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav(AKAM), hence it is very much pertinent to access and analyse the real picture of the nation in terms of its net gains and challenges. Therefore, a modest attempt has been made in this paper to see the importance of democratic governance in India, its concept, variables of democratic governance, achievement and challenges to it with suitable remedies |
