A rights based approach is empowering people to know and claim their rights. It is also about increasing the ability and accountability of individuals and institutions that are responsible for protecting and fulfilling those rights. A rights-based approach to social policy implies institutions and policies that can guarantee people reasonable access to a ‘social minimum’ i.e. to fulfill basic needs like food, shelter, work, etc. As the socioeconomic condition improves, the ‘minimum’ also changes.

In recent past, ‘Rights’ have been identified with good governance, and political and bureaucratic efforts to improve administration are often defined in terms of expanding rights of the citizens on the government. Further, pressure groups like Civil Society, donor agencies (UN bodies) and others, as well as Supreme Court’s wider interpretation of Fundamental Rights have ensured a more inclusive approach to public policy making especially with regard to rights of the vulnerable.

With increasing knowledge, awareness, social capital and support of domestic and international civil society, certain rights have come to be regarded as basic obligations on the state rather than luxuries that could be delayed in the name of capability of the state. The ‘basic minimum’ Rights are no more a state patronage, rather they are its duties.

The following measures undertaken can be considered as various aspects of rights based approach:-

• Constitutional status to PRIs (grassroots, participative democracy)
• Adoption of Right to Information (extracting transparency and accountability), Right to Education (to build human capital), Right to Food (through National Food Security Act), Formulating a National Health Mission, etc.
• Adoption of Right to Public Service Acts by many States to give timely delivery of services to people.
• Social Audit of government programmes

Importance of Rights-based approach in improving public service delivery

• Clear identification of rights, their holders and enforcers improves accountability.
• Vulnerable can be targeted and offenders can be prosecuted with better understanding and awareness about rights.
• Helps in building capacities, capabilities and infrastructure for the realization and enforcement of rights. It recognises the power inequality between citizens and administration and gives the former the tools to deal with it.
• Facilitates in active and meaningful participation of multiple stakeholders. It creates a sense of ownership of development processes.

In sum, a rights-based approach to development explicitly focuses on the attainment of minimum conditions for living with dignity. In this way, the approach lays the groundwork for state accountability and action as well as citizen participation and transparency.