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Transparency and Accountability: Pillars of Good Governance

Last updated on January 16th, 2025 Posted on January 16, 2025 by  1559
transparency and accountability

Transparency and accountability are foundational principles that ensure the government operates openly and responsibly, enabling citizens to participate effectively in governance. These mechanisms promote trust, reduce corruption, and enhance the efficiency of public administration. This article aims to study in detail the various mechanisms, their operationalisation, challenges, and the way forward to strengthen transparency and accountability in governance.

About Transparency and Accountability in Governance

  • In a democracy, transparency and accountability are the bedrock of a fair and efficient governance system.
  • Transparency allows citizens to be informed about government actions, while accountability ensures that those in power are answerable for their decisions.
  • Together, they form an essential framework that promotes trust, curtails corruption, and enables effective governance.

Read our detailed article on Transparency in Governance and Accountability in Governance.

Mechanisms of Transparency and Accountability

The growing demand for responsiveness and answerability in governance has led to the adoption of various mechanisms worldwide, including in India. Below are key mechanisms designed to ensure transparency and accountability:

Parliamentary Oversight

Parliamentary control plays a significant role in maintaining transparency. This includes:

  • Question Hour: Holding the executive accountable by seeking clarifications.
  • Cut Motions and Committees: Scrutinizing government expenditures.
  • Auditing: Ensuring financial propriety in governance.

Read our detailed article on the Devices of Parliamentary Proceedings.

Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

  • Established in 1964 following the recommendations of the Santhanam Committee, the CVC acts as an apex vigilance body to monitor vigilance activities in public undertakings and institutions under the central government.
  • While it advises on vigilance matters, it lacks punitive authority, emphasizing the need for enhanced autonomy.

Read our detailed article on the CVC.

Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)

  • As the guardian of the public purse, the CAG audits government expenditures to ensure their alignment with approved purposes.
  • Notably, scams like the 2G Spectrum and Commonwealth Games have been exposed through CAG audits, highlighting its pivotal role in safeguarding public resources.

Read our detailed article on the CAG.

Social Audits

  • Social audits gained prominence after the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act.
  • They assess the impact of government initiatives on communities, ensuring that funds are utilized effectively.
  • By integrating community participation, social audits strengthen grassroots democracy.

E-Governance

  • The rise of e-governance has revolutionized transparency and accountability.
  • By leveraging technology, platforms like Bhoomi (Karnataka), E-Mitra (Rajasthan), and Lokvani (Uttar Pradesh) provide online access to land records, income certificates, and other public services.
  • E-governance reduces bureaucratic inefficiencies and ensures citizen-friendly service delivery.

Read our detailed article on the e-governance.

Operationalisation of Transparency and Accountability

The effectiveness of mechanisms lies in their practical application. Several initiatives exemplify the operationalisation of transparency and accountability:

  • Right to Information (RTI): A powerful tool empowering citizens to seek information, especially at grassroots levels. RTI has been pivotal in ensuring transparency in schemes like MGNREGA.
  • Lokayuktas: Institutions like the Karnataka Lokayukta have exposed corruption in sectors like mining, proving their potential to combat systemic issues.
  • Voluntary Organisations: Groups like Parivartan in Delhi have successfully utilized RTI to address citizen grievances and improve service delivery.

Challenges in Implementation of Transparency and Accountability in Governance

Despite progress, the operationalisation of transparency and accountability faces challenges:

  • Political Will: Strong leadership commitment is required to enforce reforms.
  • Administrative Resistance: Bureaucratic hurdles often undermine transparency measures.
  • Citizen Awareness: Low awareness hampers the effectiveness of tools like RTI and social audits.
  • Technological Gaps: Uneven digital infrastructure limits the reach of e-governance initiatives.

Suggested Measures for Strengthening Transparency and Accountability

To overcome these challenges and build a robust governance framework, the following steps can be taken:

  • Information Dissemination– Adopt the 3R principle: Regular, Reliable, and Relevant information dissemination to empower citizens.
  • Community Mobilization– Engage Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and NGOs to foster grassroots participation in governance.
  • Capacity Building– Train public officials and citizens on the importance of accountability mechanisms, focusing on tools like Gram Sabhas and RTI.
  • Grievance Redressal– Establish a timely and effective grievance redressal system to instill citizen confidence in governance.
  • Feedback Mechanisms– Institutionalize feedback systems to regularly evaluate and improve governance processes.

Role of Civil Society and Mediain Governance

Civil society and media play critical roles in promoting transparency and accountability:

  • Civil Society Movements: Campaigns like Anna Hazare’s Lokpal movement exemplify collective action for accountability reforms.
  • Media’s Role: The media must function as a watchdog, ensuring information flow, exposing corruption, and encouraging public debate.

Conclusion

Transparency and accountability are indispensable for good governance. They empower citizens, prevent corruption, and foster trust in government institutions. While mechanisms like RTI, social audits, and e-governance have made significant strides, challenges persist. Strengthening institutional frameworks, enhancing citizen participation, and leveraging technology are essential to achieving a transparent and accountable governance system. The journey towards a more transparent and accountable system is ongoing, but with sustained efforts, India can ensure governance that truly serves its citizens.

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