Structure:
- What do you understand by the statement (40 to 60 words)
- Implementation in public life for timely service delivery (40 to 60 words)
- Conclusion (20 to 30 words)
Supporting points
"A right delayed is a right denied" is a maxim. It means that if equitable relief to a party is available, but is not forthcoming in a timely fashion, it is effectively the same as having no remedy at all. Rights are based through various legislative and constitutional means for the benefit of the citizens. Due to a combination of factors which mitigate the overall effect, like- lacking enforce-ability, bureaucratic delays and hierarchical constraints, center-state funding distribution and delay - results in causing delay of rights of Indian citizenry.
According to the Economic Survey 2018-19, there are about 3.5 crore cases pending in the judicial system, especially in district and subordinate courts. About 87.54 per cent of the total pendency of cases is in the district and subordinate courts
In any democracy, the rights of the underprivileged need to be specially protected. India has followed the path of rights based social welfare policies to guarantee the social rights of the people. It is rather advisable to move ahead with a process in which conscious approach is being made to bolster the feeble voice of the disadvantage section of the society. Right based approach are right step in this direction provided we remain mindful in the fiscal expenditure area because delivery system is yet to reach sufficient level of satisfaction.
Implementation in public life for timely service delivery
In any democracy, the rights of the underprivileged need to be specially protected. India has followed the path of rights based social welfare policies to guarantee the social rights of the people. This framework is based on four pillars – Right to Information, Right to Education, Right to Work and Right to Food.
However, merely guaranteeing the Rights are not enough. What is even more important is how such legislations and policies are implemented. And there are few concerns there :
- While Right to Education became a fundamental right in 2002, the enabling act could only be passed in 2009. Even then it is criticised by a lot of people as it has a lot of loopholes.
- The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 is a demand based legislation. It guarantees at least one person in a family 100 days’ work in a year. However, the performance has been dismal. On an average the government has only been able to provide work for 44 days to a person in a year.
- Right to Information is widely hailed as an important step in the journey to good governance by ensuring transparency. However, there is a huge pendency of cases before the information commission and it has no powers to enforce its decisions.
- The Food Security Act was a major legislation passed by the government in 2013. However, its implementation has been postponed thrice by the central government.
Conclusion:
Dr BR Ambedkar had said “Rights are protected not by law but by the social and moral conscience of the society.” Thus, while legislation can be one part of social welfare, it must not be the only part.
