PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN DECISION-MAKING IN ADMINISTRATIVE RULE-MAKING

AUTHOR – CHARLENE PEARL. C, STUDENT AT TAMIL NADU DR. AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY

BEST CITATION – CHARLENE PEARL. C, PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN DECISION-MAKING IN ADMINISTRATIVE RULE-MAKING, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 4 (3) OF 2024, PG. 201-210, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

Abstract:

This paper discusses the importance of public participation in administrative rule-making for democratic governance and responsive policy-making. It identifies several barriers to meaningful citizen engagement in India including low public awareness of rule-making procedures and digital platforms, language barriers, the digital divide, short consultation periods, bureaucratic inefficiencies and resistance to feedback, dominance by elite and interest groups, lack of follow-up on public comments, socio-economic inequalities, political influences, a fragmented legal framework, and insufficient awareness of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The paper aims to comprehensively understand these obstacles and offer recommendations to enhance inclusivity, transparency, and effectiveness in India’s rule-making processes.

Keywords: Public Participation, Administrative Rule-Making, Democratic Governance, Citizen Engagement, Barriers to Participation, Digital Divide, Bureaucratic Inefficiencies, Socio-Economic Inequalities, Right to Information (RTI) Act, Transparency.