THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 03 october 2019 (Bopal In Times of Niti Aayog (Indian Express))

Bopal In Times of Niti Aayog (Indian Express)

Mains Paper 2 : Governance
Prelims level : Niti Aayog
Mains level : Principles of the decision Bopal

Context

• In the 90s of the last century, an outrageous idea started to emerge.
• It held that apart from the government agencies, corporates, the cooperative sector, and other citizens could get together for common developmental causes.
• In some ways this was the creative and “developmental” aspect of what is today loosely called the Fifth Estate.
  Role of NGOs
• The development required technology, capital, and other resources.
• But above all, the motivation and capability of the concerned people to utilise their resources in an efficient, equitable, and sustainable manner.
• The decade of the 90s saw sweeping changes in the way rural development — particularly matters relating to natural resources.
• Rural communities were required to prepare and implement micro plans appropriate to local conditions and needs. Joint Forest Management (1990), watershed development (1995), participatory irrigation management (1997) and Swajaldhara (2003) are good examples.
• Those working for participatory management of natural resources were hoping to strengthen and carry forward the participatory approach in 2000-2001 at the time of the formulation of the Tenth Plan.
• The trends in the 10th Five Year Plan point to distortions and reversals of the healthy trends of the 90s.

The decision at Bhopal – 8 principles

• This led to a national-level meeting on January 16, 2005 at Bopal. It was attended by leaders from NGO community, academics and policymakers from various parts of India.
• It prepared eight declarations based on eight principles:
• The centrality of community-based organisations (CBOs)
• Equity
• Decentralisation.
• Need of a facilitating agency
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Training and software
• Sustained momentum of development
• Organisational restructuring

Challenges facing NGOs

• There were conflicts with government and corporate entities — all those who had “sanctioned budgets”.
• There was corruption and no one to lead the well meaning when problems arose.

Way ahead

• If we decide to plan again with the large number of new schemes that were declared after planning was abolished, we must reinvent these principles.

  Online Coaching for UPSC PRE Exam

  General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

Prelims Questions:

Q.1) Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI), sometimes seen in the news?
(1) SAI technique is a proposal to spray large quantities of carbon dioxide into the stratosphere to act as a reflective barrier against incoming sunlight.
(2) The main objective of the SAI is to limit the rising temperatures that are causing climate change.

Select the correct answer using the code given below
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: B
Mains Questions:
Q.1) How the motivation and capability of the concerned people to utilise their resources in efficient, equitable, and sustainable manner? Do you think such participation was the core of sustainable development?