Rights-based approach: In the decades after independence, progress was made towards more and more democratization of India. However, in this process citizens were considered as beneficiaries. In the last few decades development is considered as the right of the citizens. In your opinion, how will this approach change the relations between the government and citizens?

By definition, ‘rights are entitlements that belong to all human beings regardless of race, ethnicity, or socio-economic class.’

Rights-based approach means that :

• Individuals and communities have to know their rights.

• They should be fully supported to contribute to the development of policy and practices which affect their lives and to assert rights where necessary.

Influence of rights-based approach on government-citizen relations:

1. To achieve a positive transformation of power relations

2. Strengthen the capacity of duty bearers (providers like obliged institutions) and empower the rights holders (receivers- example: citizens)

3. Helps in documenting human rights violations on the civil and political level

4. Lead to sustained responsibilities, duties, transparency, trust, and accountability