Recasting governance in the times of pandemic: a case study of Assam

ABSTRACT The current situation across the globe has made us reflect on state and Government during emergency times. Series of questions have raised about the governance aspect of organizations associated with the management of COVID-19. Based on this context, this article argues that the idea of governance lacks human-centric values and this has impacted the functionality aspect of governance, especially at the time of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Discrepancies in different tiers of the governance system resulted in producing health-related stigmas and discriminatory behaviors toward particular sections of the population like the migrant people. It suffices the need for recasting in the concept of governance concerning pandemic. The study further taking instances from Assam based on primary and secondary sources tries to show the loopholes in state-level governance functionality in terms of providing care during the health crisis. Moreover, it will look into the possibilities of a more efficient form of governance where the potentiality of Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) in bringing care and trust at the community level will be explored.