Administration for Welfare
In early times, social welfare functions were performed by a few individuals or groups of individuals motivated by compassion and concern for the poor, the needy and the destitute. These people were laymen, embodied with the qualities of humanism and selfless service to the community. But in modern times, most of the countries have adopted the concept of a welfare state instead of a police state. The Encyclopaedia of Social Sciences describes a welfare state as a state which takes up the responsibility to provide a minimum standard of subsistence to its citizens. Prof. Kent remarked that by a welfare state we mean a state which provides extensive Services to the people. Thus, in a welfare state, the administration enters into economic, political, social and educational life of individuals. And it provides services to individuals, right from an individual’s birth to death. The state is to serve the old, sick, orphans, widows, helpless, oppressed and the disabled people whenever they are in need of services.
To achieve the aims and objectives of social welfare, the government formulates social policies and programmes and in pursuance thereof enacts social legislation, allocates financial assistance and provides organisational and administrative linkages in the form of ministries and departments. It also seeks the PARTNERSHIP of non-governmental organisations for the effective implementation of various Social Welfare Programmes. Administration of all these activities being undertaken in the sphere of social services and social welfare is considered as falling in the realm of social welfare administration.
Social welfare is an organised system of social services and institutions, designed to aid individuals and groups, to attain satisfying standards of life and Health. Social welfare therefore, aims at providing services to weaker sections of the Population who because of various handicaps such as physical, mental, economic and social, are unable to make use of social services provided by Society or have been traditionally deprived of these services.
Social welfare administration is a process through which social policy is transformed into social services. It involves the administration of public and private agencies. The following definitions are given to elaborate the meaning of social welfare administration.
Features of Social Welfare Administration
Although the concept of administration is applicable in a broader sense to areas including social welfare, business and government, there are certain distinctive features of social welfare administration. A summary of features highlighting distinctiveness of social welfare administration is given below:
- It is concerned with social agencies and helps them to achieve their objectives within target community. It is specifically concerned with identification of social objectives and formulation/ implementation of programmes.
- Despite variations in size, scope, structure and type of programmes, every agency has a governing board as an apex body for final DECISION MAKING. The board is generally represented by the community it intends to serve.
- Social welfare administration requires optimum utilization of its available Resources together with active community participation, so that the ultimate goal of programmes can be achieved properly.
- Social welfare agencies have to earmark certain portion of their resources for survival. But this should not limit their capacity to achieve in quantitative and qualitative terms.
- Social welfare agencies generally function in a co-operative manner and ensure participation of all the members in administration of their activities.
History of Social Welfare Administration In India
Mutual aid has been part of every society. The desire to help one’s fellowmen has been in existence from time immemorial but the forms and methods of help have been varying from society to society, depending upon the social, economic and political factors.
Indian traditional view of social welfare is based on daya, dana, dakshina, bhiksha, samya-bhava, swadharma and tyaga, the essence of which are selfdiscipline, self-sacrifice and consideration for others. Well-being of all depend on these values upheld by people individually and through community action. All the religions enjoined upon their devotees to put aside a portion of their income to be utilised for charitable purposes as that would grant them happiness in this world and salvation in the next world. The rulers of those days extended help to the afflicted part of the population during emergencies like floods, Earthquakes, fires, droughts and other natural calamities etc.
From the administrative angle, in India, the reigns of king Ashoka, Harsha, Chandra Gupta Maurya, Akbar, Sher Shah Suri and Feroze Tuglak, are the landmarks of administration who took care of the social needs of the people. The British Government also established an administrative set-up intended mainly for maintaining law and order. Some social reform measures were taken up by banning Sati and permitting widow remarriage by Acts passed in 1829 and 1856 respectively.
After independence, the old administrative pattern was more or less continued with necessary changes to suit the social, political and economic set-up evolved. In the field of social welfare, during the First Five Year Plan, government of India created a unique administrative machinery consisting of an autonomous board named CSWB (Central Social Welfare Board) in August 1953. Similarly, Social Welfare Advisory Boards were established at state level. The main purpose of the Board (CSWB) has been to provide financial and technical assistance to voluntary organisations working in the field of social welfare.
If we look at the history of administrative organisation, we find that before 1964 social welfare programmes were being managed by different ministries such as Education, home, industries, health, labour etc. The Renuka Ray Committee in its report submitted in 1960, recommended the establishment of the Department of Social Security. Under the Prime Ministership of Lal Bahadur Shastri, a Social Security Department was established and located in the Ministry of Law on 14th June 1964. Subjects, namely, social security, social welfare, backward classes and khadi and handicrafts were allocated to the Department of Social Security. In 1966, it was renamed as Social Welfare Department. It was located in the Ministry of Education and Social Welfare created in 1971. Its status was raised to a ministry in the year 1979. Its name was further changed to the Ministry of Social and Women Welfare in 1984. With the creation of a separate Department of Women and Child Development in the Ministry of Human resource development, it was reorganised and its nomenclature was changed to the Ministry of Welfare in 1985 and subsequently it was renamed as the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Thus, the Central government has set up a fullfledged ministry and organisations subordinate to it, like National Commission for Scheduled Castes/ Tribes, Minorities Commission, National Institute of Social Defence, National Institute for the Handicapped, Department of Women and Child Development, Central Social Welfare Board, National Institute of Public Co-operation and Child Development etc. under its administrative control.
Besides the execution of social welfare projects, schemes and programmes sponsored and financed wholly or partly by the Central government; the state governments and union territory administrations formulate and implement welfare service programmes on their own in their respective jurisdictions. The State Government/union territories administrations carry out their welfare obligations and programmes mainly through their Department of Social Welfare and voluntary organisations. In most of the states there is now either a full-time Secretary for social welfare or it is one of the main portfolios of a secretary. Thus social welfare schemes are still spread over more than one department/directorate. The pattern of implementation of some of the schemes, like old age pension, widow pension, and supplementary Nutrition programmes also varies from state to state. Though most of the states now have district social welfare officers, there is no social welfare functionary at block level.
Issues in Indian Administration
Administrative culture in India
The seeds of the term “Administrative Culture” were sown in 1963 when Gabriel Almond and Sydney Verba published their path-breaking work, “The Civic Culture”. Culture refers to norms, attitudes, values, perceptions, interpretation and behaviour of an individual. Similarly, administrative culture comprises values, beliefs, attitudes, etc., concerning administrative action and behaviour. It connotes the mode and style of functioning of officials. Administration is culture-bound. It is shaped by the setting or the Environment in which it operates. It develops specific features in different environments. A study of structures and functions of Public Administration in different countries reveals that there exists similarity in formal organizations but their informal and behavioural patterns possess considerable diversities. On account of these diversities, Fred W. Riggs classified social structures into three types viz., fused, prismatic and diffracted and outlined specific features of administration in each of these categories. In his analysis of prismatic society, the major focus is upon the impact of environment on administrative structures.
In India Public Service is generally viewed as a high and a noble calling. It is service in the cause of the nation and there can be no service higher than that of the sovereign state. People who join it do not anticipate becoming rich and famous, but majority of them feel a basic commitment to the values of public service; others develop such a commitment after working in the government for some time. No administrator functions in a vacuum.
Administration and Political Environment
Administration is most immediately influenced by the political system. The nature of political system determines the nature of administrative system. For example, during British regime, Indian political system was centralized, exploitative, repressive and authoritarian. Therefore, administration too, was of that kind. But after independence political system became decentralized, democratic, developmental, people and welfare-oriented. Therefore, administration also became like that. Thus, political system impacts administrative system. Similarly, administration also impacts political system. It helps formulate governmental programmes and policies. The administrators provide different types of data, information, expertise, suggestions, feedback etc., to the ministers on the basis of which realistic.
Administration and Economic Environment
Administration is influenced by the economic set-up . For example, in a country with limited economic resources administrators are not in a position to implement governmental programmes and policies successfully. But administration of a developed country can successfully implement programmes and policies because of abundance of resources. Further, in a country with closed economy the scope of administration will be more whereas in an open economy administration will have less scope as here private parties are the key players. Thus, economic environment impacts administration.
Administration and Socio-Cultural Environment
Socio-cultural environment affects the administration. There exists casteism, Nepotism, favouritism, Corruption and other ills in the society. Hence, these ailments are also found in administrators. It is mainly because of the fact that the administrators have to operate in the society. Therefore, they get affected with all these social maladies. Similarly, administration can also influence social environment by contributing to the formulation of policies for mitigating social evils. Thus, administration and social environment impact each other. The preceding discussion makes it amply clear that the administration is influenced by the environment in which it operates and in turn, it also influences the environment.
It became omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. It became part of a system aptly termed as “New Despotism” by Justice Hewart. In short, it became a victim of various administrative ills some of which can be discussed as follows:
Unresponsiveness
Bureaucracy remains unresponsive to popular demands, desires and aspirations. It tends to regard itself as the self-appointed guardian and interpreter of public interests. Its members feel that they are doing a favour by providing a service to them, even though they are paid from public exchequer to do so. The experience over the years shows that it has behaved more as a ruling class than a serving one as it is clear from its very functioning in India which is, by and large, aristocratic, authoritarian, arrogant and oppressive.
Red Tapism
It refers to undue formalism. It puts too much emphasis on “Procedure through proper channel” and precedents. Left to itself, it tends to multiply the red tape till it almost smothers itself. Bureaucracy seems to forget that the community does not exist for the purpose of filling up forms or obeying regulations, but that forms and regulations exist for the service of the community.
Self-Perpetuating
Bureaucracy has become a victim of Parkinson’s Law or the Rising Pyramid of bureaucrats. Parkinson’s Law refers to a situation wherein staff in an organization outnumbers the volume of work. In other words, bureaucracy is self- perpetuating in the sense that the civil servants have a tendency to increase day by day in number, irrespective of workload.
Self-aggrandisement
Bureaucrats are supposed to be the servants of the people in a democratic set-up. But in reality, they have become their masters. Instead of serving the community the Average bureaucrats are engaged in fulfilling their own desires and aspirations. They disregard people’s interests and opinions. They maintain distance from the masses. In the name of people and community they are involved in self- seeking, nepotism and favouritis.
Corruption
Bureaucrats are alleged to have been indulged in corrupt practices. Corruption has become all-pervasive. It is the greatest hindrance to excellence in public service. It flows from top to bottom like water. Political corruption is considered fountainhead / gangotri of all types of corruption in India. Hence, political corruption needs to be curbed if administrative corruption has to be checked. Corruption today has become so much pervasive that it seems that honesty is the lack of opportunity of corruption.
Lack of neutrality
The administrators are supposed to be politically neutral. They should not be committed to any party, leader or ideology. Their commitment must be towards Constitution, people and development. They have to be politically unbiased. Whichever party or leader comes to power, they have to serve with same zeal and enthusiasm. However, in actual practice, such things appear to be missing.,
Administration for Welfare
Administration for welfare is the process of providing assistance to those in need. It can be done through a variety of means, such as government programs, non-profit organizations, and private Charities. The goal of welfare administration is to improve the lives of those who are struggling and to help them achieve self-sufficiency.
There are many different types of welfare programs, each with its own set of eligibility requirements and benefits. Some common types of welfare programs include:
- Social Security: A social insurance program that provides benefits to retired workers, their spouses, and their children.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A program that provides benefits to low-income individuals who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled.
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): A program that provides cash assistance to families with children who meet certain income and resource requirements.
- Medicaid: A health insurance program for low-income individuals and families.
- Food Stamps: A program that provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families.
In addition to government programs, there are also many non-profit organizations and private charities that provide welfare assistance. These organizations offer a variety of services, such as food banks, homeless shelters, and job training programs.
Welfare administration is a complex and challenging task. It requires careful planning and coordination to ensure that resources are allocated effectively and that benefits are delivered to those who need them most. Welfare administrators must also be able to deal with a variety of difficult issues, such as fraud, abuse, and addiction.
Despite the challenges, welfare administration is an important and essential part of our society. It helps to ensure that everyone has access to the basic necessities of life and that they have the opportunity to improve their lives.
Issues of Areas in Indian Administration
The Indian administration is a complex and multifaceted system that is responsible for a wide range of functions. Some of the key issues that the Indian administration faces include:
- Corruption: Corruption is a major problem in India, and it can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the administration. Corruption can lead to delays in service delivery, poor quality of services, and a lack of accountability.
- Lack of transparency: The Indian administration is often seen as being opaque and lacking in transparency. This can make it difficult for citizens to hold the administration accountable and to ensure that their rights are protected.
- Inefficiency: The Indian administration is often seen as being inefficient and bureaucratic. This can lead to delays in service delivery and a lack of responsiveness to the needs of citizens.
- Lack of coordination: The Indian administration is a complex system with many different agencies and departments. This can sometimes lead to a lack of coordination between different parts of the administration, which can hinder the effective delivery of services.
- Lack of resources: The Indian administration is often underfunded, which can lead to a lack of resources for essential services such as education, healthcare, and Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE.
These are just some of the key issues that the Indian administration faces. The administration is working to address these issues, but there is still much work to be done.
Social Welfare
Social welfare is a broad term that refers to the provision of assistance to those in need. This can include a variety of services, such as financial assistance, food assistance, housing assistance, and healthcare assistance. Social welfare programs are designed to help people meet their basic needs and to improve their Quality Of Life.
There are many different types of social welfare programs, each with its own set of eligibility requirements and benefits. Some common types of social welfare programs include:
- Social Security: A social insurance program that provides benefits to retired workers, their spouses, and their children.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A program that provides benefits to low-income individuals who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled.
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): A program that provides cash assistance to families with children who meet certain income and resource requirements.
- Medicaid: A health insurance program for low-income individuals and families.
- Food Stamps: A program that provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families.
Social welfare programs are funded by the government, and they are administered by a variety of government agencies. In the United States, the Social Security Administration is responsible for administering Social Security and SSI. The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for administering TANF, Medicaid, and Food Stamps.
Social welfare programs are an important part of the social safety net in the United States. They help to ensure that everyone has access to the basic necessities of life, and they help to reduce POVERTY and inequality.
Economic Welfare
Economic welfare is a measure of the well-being of a population based on its economic status. It is typically measured by indicators such as income, poverty rates, and Unemployment rates. Economic welfare is important because it affects a wide range
What is administration?
Administration is the process of managing and organizing resources to achieve a goal. It can be applied to a wide range of activities, from running a business to managing a government.
What is welfare?
Welfare is the provision of assistance to people in need. This can include financial assistance, food, housing, and healthcare.
What are the issues of areas in Indian administration?
There are a number of issues that affect the administration of areas in India. These include corruption, poverty, and lack of education.
What are the frequently asked questions about administration?
Here are some frequently asked questions about administration:
- What are the different types of administration?
There are many different types of administration, including public administration, business administration, and nonprofit administration.
- What are the skills required for administration?
The skills required for administration vary depending on the type of administration, but some common skills include Communication, problem-solving, and decision-making.
- What are the challenges of administration?
The challenges of administration vary depending on the type of administration, but some common challenges include dealing with conflict, managing resources, and meeting deadlines.
What are the frequently asked questions about welfare?
Here are some frequently asked questions about welfare:
- What are the different types of welfare?
There are many different types of welfare, including cash assistance, food stamps, and housing assistance.
- Who is eligible for welfare?
Eligibility for welfare varies depending on the type of welfare, but some common eligibility requirements include being low-income and having a certain number of dependents.
- What are the benefits of welfare?
The benefits of welfare can vary depending on the type of welfare, but some common benefits include financial assistance, food, and housing.
What are the frequently asked questions about the issues of areas in Indian administration?
Here are some frequently asked questions about the issues of areas in Indian administration:
- What are the main issues of areas in Indian administration?
Some of the main issues of areas in Indian administration include corruption, poverty, and lack of education.
- What are the causes of these issues?
The causes of these issues are complex and vary depending on the issue. However, some common causes include poverty, lack of education, and poor infrastructure.
- What are the effects of these issues?
The effects of these issues can be devastating, including poverty, crime, and social unrest.
- What are the solutions to these issues?
There are no easy solutions to these issues, but some possible solutions include improving education, reducing corruption, and investing in infrastructure.
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Which of the following is not a function of the Indian government?
(A) Providing security to its citizens
(B) Promoting Economic Development
(C) Protecting the environment
(D) Providing welfare services -
The Indian government is divided into three branches:
(A) The executive, the legislative, and the judicial
(B) The legislative, the executive, and the military
(C) The executive, the legislative, and the religious
(D) The legislative, the executive, and the financial -
The president of India is the head of state. The prime minister is the head of government.
(A) True
(B) False -
The Indian Parliament is made up of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
(A) True
(B) False -
The Indian Supreme Court is the highest court in the country.
(A) True
(B) False -
The Indian government provides a number of welfare services, including:
(A) Education
(B) Health care
(C) Food subsidies
(D) All of the above -
The Indian government has been criticized for its handling of a number of issues, including:
(A) Corruption
(B) Poverty
(C) Terrorism
(D) All of the above -
The Indian government is facing a number of challenges, including:
(A) Economic Growth
(B) Infrastructure Development
(C) Social inequality
(D) All of the above -
The Indian government is working to address a number of issues, including:
(A) Poverty Alleviation
(B) Education reform
(C) Healthcare reform
(D) All of the above -
The future of the Indian government is uncertain. However, the government is committed to providing for the welfare of its citizens and addressing the challenges facing the country.
(A) True
(B) False