The Governance Gap

What will it take to unlock India's true growth potential? The answer is robust institutions and good governance.



Even though India is the world's largest democracy, is real power held by its people or by those who
govern them? How well are we managing the dreams and aspirations of 1.4 billion Bharatiyas? What
does the future hold for India? Has the political class delivered on its promises? Is the bureaucracy
capable of quick changes? Will governments ever break free of political compulsions and place
citizens' objectives as their central objective? India is acknowledged globally for its capacity to hold
regular, peaceful elections-but are they free of the influence of money and muscle power? Have
legislatures forgotten their basic role of monitoring the government?



Shashi Budhiraja is well-placed to pose these timely questions. As a former technocrat who has
steered many a private sector and government institution, with stints for the World Bank and UN,
he has gained a comprehensive view of the workings of the system. In this book, he probes the
vital gaps in the architecture of governance and those within institutions. He also examines policies
framed for fundamental sectors such as agriculture, education and health to highlight the trend of
governance deficit over time.



Budhiraja provides a blueprint for course-correction that will unlock India's potential, arguing that
it needs but one attribute-political will to place citizens' concerns as the central objective.