The State the Government and You — Question 5

In a democracy like India, citizens interact with different levels of government for various everyday needs and services. Some works are done efficiently but most of the times people have to face many challenges. Central Government: My parents interacted with the central government for services such as updating Aadhaar details, applying for a passport, using the banking system, and other related tasks. While some processes were convenient, they also faced challenges such as technical issues on online portals, long waiting times at Aadhaar centres, slow and inefficient banking procedures, and confusion about the required documents. State Government: With the state government, my parents engaged in tasks such as making and renewing a driving licence at the RTO, getting a new electricity connection for our new house, school admissions, and other related services. The difficulties they encountered included long queues, repeated visits due to incomplete paperwork, and delays in receiving approvals or corrections. Local Government: At the local level, my parents dealt with responsibilities such as paying property tax, obtaining a birth certificate, managing garbage collection, and requesting sanitation services. Challenges at this level included slow responses from municipal departments, lack of clear information, and delays in resolving complaints.