Raman Sharma
jkrtiact@gmail.com
A law book can tell us what should be done, just like a recipe tells us how a dish should be cooked. But anyone who has spent time in a kitchen knows that a recipe alone never guarantees a good meal. The same ingredients can produce very different results depending on who cooks, how carefully they cook, and whether anyone tastes the food and gives honest feedback. Over time, even recipes change because tastes, health needs, and available resources change.
Society works in the same way. Laws are important and necessary. They provide structure, direction, and a sense of fairness. India, including Jammu & Kashmir, has many well-drafted laws, schemes, program aimed at equality, development, and accountability. Yet, everyday challenges continue to affect people. Delays in services, incomplete development works, and unmet expectations show that laws alone are not enough to bring meaningful social progress.
The key is to bridge the gap between laws and action. Many schemes and policies look impressive on paper, but their results depend on how they are implemented. Files should move efficiently, monitoring must be consistent, and accountability should be clear. Honest intent, administrative skill, and empathy are essential to make laws effective.
Technology and social media have made it easier for people to share experiences. Photos of broken roads, pending pensions, or delayed services help everyone see what works and what can improve. These are not complaints,they are opportunities for the government to understand challenges and make better decisions.
The government and administration play a central role in turning laws into meaningful outcomes. Officials are like chefs in the kitchen of governance. When they use their skills thoughtfully and listen carefully to people’s experiences, policies succeed. Decisions taken with awareness and understanding of local realities ensure that benefits reach those who need them most.
In Jammu & Kashmir, governance requires extra care. Border areas, remote villages, tribal populations, and challenging terrain make local engagement essential. Policies framed without hearing local voices often miss the mark. A scheme that works well in an office may need adjustments and customization in a village with limited access or resources. Development works best when it reflects the lived realities of the people it serves.
Citizens are essential partners in governance. They are the tasters of democracy. Their experiences show whether policies are effective and where improvements are needed. When people share observations about services, infrastructure, or programs, they are contributing to better governance. Governments should invite these insights and act on them constructively.
Criticism and suggestions from citizens should always be welcomed. Feedback is not opposition , it is an opportunity to strengthen policies and practices. A government that listens and responds gains trust and becomes more capable. Encouraging dialogue, valuing every voice, and appreciating suggestions ensures policies grow stronger and more effective over time.
There is a strong need for more interactive engagement between the government and the people. Policies should not be created only in offices or conference rooms. Organize regular public hearings, village-level meetings, district consultations, and open forums to encourage participation. When people feel listened to, trust grows and cooperation improves.
Many in Jammu & Kashmir feel that decisions are imposed rather than discussed. Change this perception by actively inviting citizens to share their views before policies are finalized. Listening carefully and responding respectfully encourages responsibility and collective participation. Social progress is strongest when awareness, education, and values guide action alongside laws. When people understand the purpose of a law or program, following it becomes natural and enthusiastic.
The Right to Information Act and the Public Services Guarantee Act are excellent examples of citizen-centered laws. They allow ordinary people to seek information, request timelines, and track accountability. These laws become even more effective when citizens share experiences about how they function in practice. Feedback from citizens, field officers, Information Commissioners, and courts helps make these laws more practical, realistic, and responsive.
The Jammu & Kashmir government launched an Online RTI portal last year, which has been widely appreciated. Thousands of applications have been filed, and citizens have benefited from faster access. Still, the portal could be improved by allowing direct feedback about services and departments. Constructive dialogue will help refine processes, making governance more effective and inclusive. There is urgent need to include more public authorities of the J & K government in this online RTI Portal but in the absence of any feedback and interactive mechanism one feels helpless how to give even positive response.
Even simple services benefit from citizen input. We all know that in comparison to the traffic on road in J & K, the strength of traffic police personnel is negligible. The traffic police in Jammu & Kashmir can improve enforcement by seeking public feedback. Daily commuters, pedestrians, and drivers can highlight areas for improvement such as signage, congestion points, and traffic flow. Engaging citizens through surveys, meetings, or feedback platforms strengthens safety, efficiency, and trust. Policies implemented with citizen input are more effective, widely accepted, and sustainable.
Feedback is common in our daily lives and shapes how services improve. For instance, when people shop online, e-commerce platforms actively encourage reviews and ratings. Buyers give detailed feedback about product quality, delivery speed, and service. Sellers and platforms take this input seriously to enhance future service and satisfy customers. Governance can learn from this simple principle: public feedback is a powerful tool to improve services, design better policies, and respond to citizens’ needs in real time.
Educational institutions, hospitals, and banks in Jammu & Kashmir also need better systems to receive feedback. Schools and universities should regularly consider input from teachers, students, and parents. Hospitals should provide easy ways for patients to suggest improvements. Even banks can rename “complaint boxes” as “feedback boxes” to encourage constructive participation. When institutions listen to feedback, they improve efficiency, quality, and public trust.
In the end, laws provide guidance, but people bring them to life. Social progress cannot rely on legislation alone. It requires honest implementation, continuous dialogue, and mutual respect between the government and citizens. Just as a perfect cuisine needs a skilled chef and honest tasters, a healthy society needs responsive governance and active participation. For Jammu & Kashmir to move forward in a democratic and inclusive way, the government must listen, interact, and value feedback. Citizens, in turn, should continue to share their insights responsibly and participate actively and imperatively. Real progress begins when people are heard, valued, and included.
(The author is a Jammu based RTI Activist.)
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