International Journal of Political Science

 Governance refers to the process or function of exercising legitimate authority to regulate affairs of people in a given territory. It is the process of decision making and the process by which decisions are implemented or not implemented. Governance discourses emerged into Public Administration as a part of the discourses on development because bad governance or misgovernance has identified as the reason for underdevelopment. Good governance as an idea is the byproduct of the agenda of international donor agencies like the World Bank and International Monetory Fund (IMF) which tries to change Public Administration into a market oriented administration. Good governance was defined by these donor agencies as the governance which is accountable, transparent, responsive, efficient, participatory and democratic. Though these agencies introduced these models as means to promote the market by downsizing government, this concept can be used in its true sense also. The application of the concept depends on the context into which it is applied. In the era of neoliberal globalisation the idea of good governance was spread in the developing world, as most of the developing nations depend on the donor agencies for financial support. Thus good governance will be the engine for development in a liberalized economy.

Keywords: Good Governance; Development; Democracy; Civil Society; Globalisation.

Over the past few years, RTI has gained increasing importance in the human rights discourse as well as the larger democratic discourse. Since a democratic government must be sensitive to the public opinion for which information must be mae available by it to the people. E$ective accountability rests on the peoples’ acquaintance with the information. A system that operates in secrecy tends to loose the faith of the people as much as its own legitimacy and credibility. Openness and full access to the information are the two pillars of the democratic state. It will equip the citizens to participate meaningfully in the democratic and political process. Governance is undoubtedly strengthened by the RTI. That us why the RTI has been recognized as an essential requirements of the good governance. The enactment of the RTI Act, 2005 is a bold step. The Act covers not only the public sector but also the NGOs and the private sector to some extent. In addition to this, it has various other positive features like provision of First and Second Appellate Authorities. It is also one of the toughest legislations in the world, as it is the only RTI Act imposing penalty for any contravention of the provisions of the Ac Over the past few years, RTI has gained increasing importance in the human rights discourse as well as the larger democratic discourse. Since a democratic government must be sensitive to the public opinion for which information must be mae available by it to the people. Effective accountability rests on the peoples’ acquaintance with the information. A system that operates in secrecy tends to loose the faith of the people as much as its own legitimacy and credibility. Openness and full access to the information are the two pillars of the democratic state. It will equip the citizens to participate meaningfully in the democratic and political process. Governance is undoubtedly strengthened by the RTI. That us why the RTI has been recognized as an essential requirements of the good governance. The enactment of the RTI Act, 2005 is a bold step. The Act covers not only the public sector but also the NGOs and the private sector to some extent. In addition to this, it has various other positive features like provision of First and Second Appellate Authorities. It is also one of the toughest legislations in the world, as it is the only RTI Act imposing penalty for any contravention of the provisions of the Act.

Keywords: Right to Information (RTI); Human rights; Governance. 

South Asia sustains 24 percent of global population on a 3.4 percent of global surface area. Due to many factors like dwindling investment in agriculture, neglect of research and development, lack of necessary infrastructure, market and financial supportthe food security has emerged as a major challenge in South Asia. This paper seeks to analyze the viability of public policies in South Asia with respect to food security and sustainable agriculture.

Keywords: Development Paradox; Sustainable Agriculture; Nutritional Security; Public Investment; Climate Change.