Archive · 15 Dec 2025
Critique of Governance in India
The article discusses how the Indian government has focused more on appearances (optics) rather than real results in governance.
It talks about two big projects: MNREGA, which gives jobs to poor people, and Namami Gange, which was supposed to clean the Ganga river.
The author says that MNREGA was first criticized but then got more money over time.
The Ganga cleaning project didn't achieve much, even though a lot of money was spent.
The author questions how many people still believe the government's claims of good governance.
Government often relies on optics (like photos and renaming schemes) instead of real solutions.
MNREGA funding increased significantly from 2014 to 2021, despite initial criticism.
Namami Gange project failed to clean the Ganga river effectively, with minimal meetings and reduced funding.
Government claimed the Ganga was cleaned during the 2020 lockdown, but the Opposition disputes this.
The author questions the effectiveness of governance in India after two terms of the current government.
- Who
- Aakar Patel, Chair of Amnesty International India
- What
- Critique of governance in India, focusing on MNREGA and Ganga cleaning projects
- When
- Article published in 2024, referencing events from 2014 to 2024
- Where
- India
- Why
- To highlight the gap between governance optics and actual outcomes
- MNREGA Funding (2014-2021)
- Rs 32,000 crores to Rs 111,000 crores
- Namami Gange Budget (2016-2020)
- Rs 2,500 crores to Rs 375 crores
- Ganga Cleaning Meetings
- 2 meetings in 10 years
- MNREGA Renaming
- Pujya Bapu Rural Employment Guarantee Act
- Ganga Cleaning Claim
- Government claims Ganga cleaned during lockdown
- Opposition's Stance
- Ganga dirtier despite spending Rs 20,000 crores
- Author
- Aakar Patel, Chair of Amnesty International India