GUWAHATI, March 23 - The success or failure of democracy depends on how citizens shoulder their responsibilities and their willingness to participate in the decision-making process. This was the observation of former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India Vinod Rai while delivering the anniversary lecture of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) today in the auditorium of Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra here.
Rai, who has had wide experience of working in various capacities, urged the citizens to cultivate consciousness about the prevailing conditions in the country, about the performance of the government and public representatives and to enforce their expectations so that the country can make real progress.
�If we want good governance it is also our duty to make our voices heard, to maintain our principles and be vigilant about the functioning of various government departments,� said Rai, pointing out that good governance is not responsibility of the government alone.
Rai, who was speaking on the topic �Current Challenges of Governance at State and Central Government�, also dwelt at length on the achievements and failures of the last coalition government at the Centre and said that a host of factors including the role of the regional parties who were allies and the greed that crept up in certain portfolios made the citizens discontented with governance.
Rai said that there has been a growing tendency of public seeking more transparency in administration and participating in movements to create pressure on the government for reforms. �This is undoubtedly a healthy development � citizens taking centrestage and demanding transparency in the functioning of government,� he added, mentioning that to keep the government on the right track citizens have to be assertive.
�Whether it is the government, an official or the general public � for all it is a challenge to do a good deed. The need of the hour is to accept this challenge and build the India of our dreams,� stated Rai.
Rai urged the electorate of the State to perform their responsibility as citizens by ensuring that meritorious people are elected to take the right decisions on their behalf.
Earlier, LDP president Prodyut Bora gave the welcome address and thanked the guests and party members for being a part of the programme.
