Dimensions of Accountability for Good Governance
Q: Examine the dimensions of Accountability for Good Governance.
Accountability is the obligation of power-holders to account for their actions and be subject to sanctions if they fail. It is the bedrock of Good Governance, ensuring that public resources are used efficiently for the common good.
Key Dimensions of Accountability
- Political Accountability: This involves the answerability of the executive to the legislature and the people. Example: The "Question Hour" in Parliament where ministers must justify their policies.
- Legal/Judicial Accountability: Ensures that the government acts within the constitutional framework. The judiciary uses Judicial Review to hold the administration accountable to the law of the land.
- Administrative/Professional Accountability: Internal mechanisms where subordinates are accountable to superiors through Performance Appraisals and codes of conduct.
- Social Accountability: A bottom-up approach where citizens use tools like Social Audits and the Right to Information (RTI) to demand transparency. Example: Social audits of MGNREGA in Odisha.
- Financial Accountability: Focuses on the "Integrity of Expenditure." Agencies like the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) ensure that every rupee is spent as sanctioned by the legislature.
Definition of Key Term
Social Audit: A process in which details of the resources, both financial and non-financial, used by public agencies for development initiatives are shared with the people, often through a Gram Sabha.
Conclusion
Accountability is not just about punishment; it is about improvement. According to the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC), a robust accountability framework is essential to move from "Swaraj" to "Su-raj" (Good Governance). For India, the transition to e-Governance is the ultimate step in making accountability real-time and citizen-centric.
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