Bare Essentials for a Strong Institution of Governance

1. A strong institution should be governed by rules. Moreover, the rules that govern a strong institution should be drafted and reviewed by people who are known domain experts. The powers that the rules bestow on the institution, should be observed equally for all, without there being special privilege for anyone who is politically influential.

2. A strong institution should be able to exercise its authority uniformly across space: The exercise of power by an institution of governance should not depend on geography or distance of a particular area from it. It should ensure that areas that are far-off from where the institution is located have the same access to it, as compared to areas that are proximate to it.   

3. A strong institution should be accountable. The institution should have a governing body, comprised of technically qualified and competent members, which should periodically review the performance of the institution. The institution should have a qualified and competent leader, whose performance should also be reviewed by the governing board. Roles and responsibilities of people in the institution should have been clearly identified, and the institution should have an internal ombudsman.

4. A strong institution should be responsive. The institution should introduce rules and take decisions for public good in a responsive and prompt manner. Its institutional mechanisms should ensure that deliberations, discussions and independent review of rules and decisions take place in a time bound manner. The rules and decisions should have clarity and leave no ambiguous areas, and should be drafted in simple language that can be understood in a single reading by a person conversant with the language. It should seek feedback and grievances on its functioning, and respond to the feedback and grievances in a time bound manner.

--> 5. A strong institution should be transparent. The institution should provide easy access to its review reports, summary of feedback and grievances received, and actions taken on these. It should provide easy access to its ombudsman. It will have an updated and comprehensive website.