Abstract
This issue of the Indian Journal of Public Administration comprises thirteen Articles, one Note, one Document, one Review Essay, and three Book Reviews. Rajesh Kumar Kundu discusses the Haryana State Model of e-service delivery as an innovative paradigm shift in the Indian governance system. He suggests that a technology-friendly help desk may be set up at every SARAL platform.
Prahllad Majhi and Ashok Dansana examine the working of unitary universities in India with a case study of the Ravenshaw University at Cuttack in the State of Odisha. The authors observe that this university ‘carries some reasonable autonomy and accountability in the spheres of admission formulation of syllabli and courses, examination, and results’.
Chitresh Shrivastva and Reetika Syal critically analyse the operation of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Railway Modernisation Projects in India. They opine that the government’s intention of promoting 100% FDI is contrary to the Modi Government’s stated policy of self-reliance.
Siddhi Nigam delves into the dilemma of the middle class in participating in the Indian democracy and concludes that democracy is diversifying as well as deepening as ‘a considerable number of people from the middle class have started voting prudently, ignoring the mere short-term benefits or social diversions which earlier used to be the prime guiding forces for them’.
T. Sadashivam and Shahla Tabassum draw attention to the working of Indian anti-corruption Ombudsman or Lokpal and appreciate its laudable achievements but add that a lot is yet to be done to make India corruption-free.
Vishal Katekar evaluates the management of COVID-19 pandemic and application of artificial intelligence from the perspective of value-creation through this enterprise.
Karunakar Patra focuses on the epistemic value of parliamentary committees in elevating the quality of the legislation in India.
The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped traditional views of leadership and management, particularly in dealing with emergencies where the public is both the cause and the victim. The paper by Pratip Chattopadhyay focuses on Red Volunteers in West Bengal, illustrating how local-level public management can effectively address the challenges posed by a pandemic.
Harmanpreet Singh offers a critical review of the implementation of the innovative Right to Service Act in the SAS Nagar district of Punjab. He emphasises the imperative of citizens’ cyber-literacy for success of this Act.
R.S. Sreedevi throws comparative analytical light on the plights of inter-state migrant workers and native workers in the State of Kerala. The plight of the migrant works is deplorable and both the Central and State governments need to protect their interests constitutionally and administratively.
The digitisation of records and the introduction of e-Office software in the Durbar Move offices of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have brought about a transformative shift in the nature of governance. The implementation of e-Office in various departments, particularly in the Civil Secretariat, has significantly enhanced governance efficiency and service delivery in the region. The paper by Aijaz Ashraf Wani, and Janan Ahmad Parray aims to investigate and analyse the impact of e-Office software on the delivery of governance services in J&K. The focus is on understanding how the adoption of e-Office has made the administrative apparatus more responsive, accountable, transparent, and citizen-friendly.
Ritu Raj Kaur examines the issue of crop-residue after the harvest as a sustainable energy option with an empirical case study in the Amritsar district of the state of Punjab.
Samundar Singh makes an interesting study of the satisfaction of police personnel with their working conditions in the State of Haryana of the Indian Union.
With these papers, a Note, a Document and a couple of Book Reviews, as we embark on the journey of a new year, the first edition of this year sets the tone for the discussions and reflections that will shape our collective narrative. The diverse perspectives and insightful analyses presented within these pages serve as a testament to our commitment to fostering thoughtful dialogue and promoting a deeper understanding of the issues that matter most.