India’s welfare system is increasingly relying on digital technologies and data-driven methods for delivery, raising concerns over the decline of democratic participation, transparency, and accountability in social welfare programs.
India’s Shift to a Tech-Driven Welfare Mode
- Over 1 billion Aadhaar enrollments and 1,200+ welfare schemes now linked to Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) systems.
- Around 36 public grievance portals are operational across States/UTs.
- The focus has moved from “who needs help and why” to “how to reduce leakages and improve reach.”
Concerns with Technocratic Welfare Delivery
- Welfare is becoming more automated and centralized, losing human judgement and local discretion.
- Citizens are now viewed as data entries or beneficiaries, rather than rights-bearing individuals with political agency.
- Algorithms are making decisions in place of deliberative democratic processes.
Decline in Social Sector Spending
- Social sector funding has dropped to 17% in 2024-25, down from an average of 21% (2014-24).
- Welfare spending in critical areas (minorities, labor, nutrition, etc.) has reduced from 11% pre-COVID to just 3% post-COVID.
Weakening of RTI Mechanism
- India’s Right to Information (RTI) system is under stress:
- Over 4 lakh cases pending as of June 2024.
- 8 posts of Chief Information Commissioners (CICs) are vacant.
- Delays and inaction have weakened transparency.
Lack of Political Accountability
- The Centralised Public Grievance Redress System handles many complaints but often becomes a ticketing system, without solving root issues.
- This creates an illusion of responsiveness, without real political responsibility.
Need for Democratic and Localised Welfare Systems
- Welfare delivery should not be solely tech-based — it must include human judgement and ground-level feedback.
- Empower States and local bodies like gram sabhas for context-specific welfare.
- Use programs like Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan and learn from Kerala’s Kudumbashree model.
- Encourage community audits, legal aid, and citizen education to make welfare participatory.
WHAT DOES WELFARE STATE MEAN?
A welfare state is a form of government where the state plays a key role in protecting and promoting the well-being of its citizens—especially the social and economic needs of the people.
Key Features of a Welfare State:
- Social Security: Provides support like pensions, healthcare, unemployment benefits, and food subsidies.
- Equality: Aims to reduce income and social inequality by redistributing wealth through taxes and welfare schemes.
- State Responsibility: The government ensures access to basic needs like education, healthcare, housing, and livelihood.
- Democratic Principles: Works within a democratic framework, where citizens participate in governance.
Conclusion:
India’s welfare state must balance efficiency with democracy. For an inclusive and resilient future, technology should support—not replace—citizen participation and political accountability.
