[UPPSC-UP Special Syllabus Decoded] Governance & Redressal Mechanisms in UP

1. Good Governance (Sushasan)

Trend: Shift from theoretical concepts to “Delivery Mechanisms” and “Technology-driven Accountability.”

A. Concept & Framework in UP

• Ram Rajya Model: The state’s political narrative of Good Governance focusing on Suraksha (Security), Suvidha (Convenience), and Samman (Dignity).
• Good Governance Index (GGI): UP’s incremental performance in the “Commerce & Industry” and “Public Infrastructure” sectors (NITI Aayog).

B. Key Initiatives

• Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore: Special campaigns held during Good Governance Week (Dec 19-25) to resolve pending cases at the Tehsil/Block level.
• Aspirational Blocks: Extending the “Aspirational District” model to the Block level for micro-governance in backward regions (Purvanchal/Bundelkhand).

 Current Affairs Linkage :

• Digital Attendance : A massive governance reform mandating facial recognition attendance for teachers and government employees to curb the “absenteeism culture.”
• Performance-Based Transfers: The Transfer Policy 2025-26 utilized the Manav Sampada portal to ensure merit-based postings rather than political recommendations.

2. Eradication of Corruption

Trend: Focus on “Zero Tolerance” and “Asset Confiscation.”

A. Institutional Framework

• Anti-Corruption Organization (ACO): The specialized police wing for trapping public servants accepting bribes.
• Vigilance Establishment: Investigates disproportionate assets (DA) cases.
• Economic Offenses Wing (EOW): Handles complex financial frauds.

B. Strategic Measures

• Zero Tolerance Policy:
  • Gangsters Act (Section 14): Unique use of this act to confiscate properties acquired through corrupt practices (Mafia-Official nexus).
  • Operation Conviction: Extended to corruption cases to ensure speedy trials.
• Compulsory Retirement: Invoking Fundamental Rule 56(j) to force “tainted” or “inefficient” officers (50+ age) to retire.

 Current Affairs Linkage :

• Paper Leak Crackdown: The UP Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Ordinance 2024 classified “solver gangs” and corrupt officials aiding them as organized criminals, punishable with life imprisonment.
• Digital Payments: Mandating e-Gram Swaraj payments for Panchayats in 2025 to eliminate “cheque-signing” corruption by Pradhans.

3. Lokayukta of Uttar Pradesh

Trend: Structural questions on “Powers” vs. “Limitations” and “Appointment delays.”

A. Legal Framework

• UP Lokayukta Act, 1975: One of the oldest and most powerful acts.
• Tenure: 8 Years (Unique to UP; increased from 6 years to ensure stability).
• Jurisdiction: Includes Ministers and MLAs but excludes the Chief Minister (unlike some other states).

B. Current Status & Issues

• Investigation: Does not have its own dedicated police wing; relies on state agencies (conflict of interest).
• Recommendations: Advisory in nature; often ignored by the competent authority.
• Vacancy: Long delays in appointing the Deputy Lokayukta (Up-Lokayukta).

 Current Affairs Linkage :

• Annual Report 2024: The Lokayukta’s report highlighted the non-compliance of departments in punishing officers even after corruption was proven, sparking a debate on granting “binding powers” to the body.

4. Citizen Charters

Trend: Linkage with “Right to Service” and “Time-Bound Delivery.”

A. The Legal Backing

• UP Janhit Guarantee Act, 2011:
  • Mandate: Defines a stipulated time for specific services (e.g., 7 days for Caste Certificate, 30 days for Arms License).
  • Penalty: Provision to fine the Designated Officer (₹250-₹5000) for delay, which is compensated to the citizen.

B. Implementation

• Departmental Charters:
  • UP Police: “Citizen Charter” available on the UPCOP app.
  • Revenue Dept: Timelines for mutation (Dakhil-Kharij) fixed at 45 days.

5. E-Governance in Uttar Pradesh

Trend: Specific portals (Nivesh Mitra, Family ID) and their impact on Ease of Living.

A. G2B (Government to Business)

• Nivesh Mitra: One of India’s largest Single Window portals integrating 45+ departments for NOCs; critical for the Global Investors Summit (GIS).
• Mine Mitra: Integrating satellite technology to monitor mining leases and transit passes.

B. G2C (Government to Citizen)

• e-District: Delivery of 250+ services (Income, Domicile, Birth certificates) via Common Service Centers (CSCs).
• Family ID (Ek Parivar Ek Pahchan):
  • Objective: Creating a dynamic database of all families.
  • Use Case: Identifying families with zero government benefits to provide them employment/skilling.
• Smart PDS: Aadhaar-linked ration delivery to curb leakage.

 Current Affairs Linkage :

• e-Office Saturation: By 2025, the UP Secretariat and all District Magistrate offices shifted to e-Office (Paperless), reducing file movement time from weeks to hours.
• AI in Governance: Use of AI in Kumbh 2025 for crowd management and in the Board Exams to detect cheating.

6. Right to Information (RTI)

Trend: “Pendency” and “Digitization of Appeals.”

A. State Information Commission (SIC)

• Structure: Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) + up to 10 Information Commissioners.
• Online RTI Portal: UP launched rtionline.up.gov.in allowing citizens to file RTIs and pay fees digitally (reducing rejection due to postal orders).

B. Challenges

• Pendency: High backlog of second appeals.
• Safety: Incidents of attacks on RTI activists in rural UP (though declining).

7. Redressal Policy (Grievance Redressal)

Trend: The “IGRS Model” is the most frequently asked topic in this section.

C. Integrated Grievance Redressal System (IGRS)

• Jansunwai-Samadhan Portal:
  • A unified platform connecting CM Helpline, DM offices, and Police.
  • Accountability: Officers are graded monthly. “Default” in resolving complaints affects their Annual Confidential Report (ACR).

D. CM Helpline 1076

• Function: A 24×7 call center in Lucknow (capacity of 500+ seaters).
• Feedback Loop: The CM Office randomly calls complainants to verify if they are satisfied with the resolution. If not, the case is reopened.

E. Thana Diwas & Tehsil Diwas

• Samadhan Diwas: Held every Saturday (Thana) and 1st/3rd Tuesday (Tehsil) where DMs/SPs physically hear complaints to ensure on-the-spot resolution.

 Current Affairs Linkage :

• IGRS 2.0: Upgraded with AI capabilities to detect “Generic Responses” (copy-paste replies) by officers. Officers repeatedly giving vague answers were issued show-cause notices in 2024.

Satisfaction Rate: The government claimed a 98% disposal rate on IGRS in the 2025 budget session, though opposition questioned the “quality” of disposal.