Rethinking Good Governance by Vinod Rai ; Published by Rupa ; Pages 278 ;Price Rs 595/- ************************** It is an internationally accepted norm that Critics are not exactly admirable; in fact they are more reviled the more exalted their station in life is. We deal with one such Critic in the book under review. He is Vinod Rai who needs no introduction. An IAS officer from the 1972 batch, he held several significant positions all through his illustrious career. He started with the post of Comptroller and Auditor General of India followed by the chairperson for Banks Board Bureau ; presently he is the Chairman of the Committee of Administrators of the BCCI appointed by the Supreme Court . Rai was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2016 . He has written two books, one where he shares ideas and reflections looking back at seventy years of freedom and second where he reveals his diary, as the nation’s conscience keeper---as a symbol of the anti-corruption movement in the country. In 2010, when the CAG came up with the startling revelation about the loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore in the 2G spectrum auction, it sealed the fate of the UPA government, already besieged by a series of scandals, including the one surrounding the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. However, nine years down the line, the charges around the 2G scam seem to have diluted, especially after the CBI trial court acquitted A. Raja and M. Kanimozhi, along with 15 others accused in the case. However Rai, who was CAG at that time declared . “Considering the fact that the 2G auction documents have not changed, and basing on those records, we would reach the same conclusions even today.” He blames the investigative agency--- the CBI, for not doing enough to prove the charges. “In his order, the trial court judge had expressed his dismay that he kept waiting for the CBI to bring evidence and witnesses, but that never happened… The judge also questioned the quality of the investigation.” A new book by the former CAG ought to turn a floodlight on public institutions in the country and how they should support good governance to ensure the welfare of the citizen. Written with the razor-sharp insights of a conscientious civil servant, this illuminating book offers a thorough analysis of the country's key accountability agencies -- from the parliament to temple administrations -- whose functions impinge on all aspects of our daily life in India. According to Rai, these public institutions are the pillars on which rests a "robust and vibrant democracy".He highlights the strength of each of these pillars. They are like the guardians of the country, the very pillars on which it stands proudly. He analyses thoroughly the circumstances that led to their weakening, resulting in the foundation of our democratic fabric being somewhat shaken. The book reveals the working of public institutions. Rai lucidly explains what he means by ‘Holding to Account’ and according to him the most vital bond between people and government is “Trust” . It is these “accountability institutions” that engender and help maintain that trust. The transparency and openness seen in any society, the readiness with which it can indulge in creating disruption, and the ease with which the rule of law is permitted to prevail are important indicators of an able administration. Rai explains clearly the functionalities and the impact on the society of the Parliament, the Supreme Court, the Election Commission, the Reserve Bank of India, the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Civil Services and the Central Vigilance Commission. Specially emphasised is the necessity of the Central Bureau of Investigation maintaining an ‘arm’s length’ relationship with the government of the day. “The CBI seems to be becoming a ‘handmaiden’ to investigate, if not intimidate. The onus is now squarely on the government to cut its losses, and, wielding the hammer, set about ensuring that it is not held guilty of allowing the credibility of these institutions to hit rock-bottom during its tenure.” . Rai also has desired that the Parliamentary Action Committee (PAC) should hold frequent meetings which would be highly effective to rein in the government under constant scrutiny and bring it to book when there are ‘signs of laxity, wastage or malfeasance’. The book stresses the importance of institutions like CBI, PAC, CAG amongst others and the role they serve as the pillars supporting the foundation of democracy. Also crucial is the “Right to Information” along with the sports and temple administration. Rai also wrote that the role of prosecutors in the probe agency requires an overhauling because the track record of high profile cases proves that the role of the prosecutor is not very encouraging. “Often, the director of prosecution plays a secondary role and gets swamped by the same political allegiances that bedevil the director of the organisation, especially when the director gets the appointment after lobbying and hence ab initio starts with an ‘I owe you’ tag” . According to Rai, accountability institutions that form the foundational pillars of any democracy seem to be losing their structural strength. “That is probably the reason an otherwise decisive government did not see or, if it saw, did not act on early warning signs.” Rethinking Good Governance is an important book as it shows us the strengths and weaknesses of these institutions and that too from an expert’s perspective. An interesting Epilogue emphasises our sterling attainment — democracy and how we should all strive to keep it intact while working in tandem with the government to make our country a successful one. The book helps the readers who seek to comprehend India and its functioning at its best.Rai offers insights into efforts for tackling crisis made by these institutions and deals with prospective amendments. The book which has the precision of a textbook is highly informative and analyses the many corrective steps and accomplishments of accountability institutions. P.P.Ramachandran. 29/11/2020.