Even if open and transparent governance is becoming more popular, do you believe that there are some good reasons to keep some information from the public? Provide examples to support your claims. (150 words)
Model Answer 1. Promotes Transparency Accountability enhances transparency by ensuring citizens have access to information about government programs and policies. Fact: The Right to Information (RTI) Act empowers citizens to seek details about budget allocations and actual expenditures, ensuring thaRead more
Model Answer
1. Promotes Transparency
Accountability enhances transparency by ensuring citizens have access to information about government programs and policies.
- Fact: The Right to Information (RTI) Act empowers citizens to seek details about budget allocations and actual expenditures, ensuring that officials remain answerable.
- Example: RTI has been instrumental in uncovering irregularities in public schemes, such as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) funds.
2. Ensures Responsibility and Answerability
Accountability ensures that officials justify their actions and decisions to the public and higher authorities.
- Fact: Parliamentary scrutiny through committees highlights critical details about policy implementation.
- Example: Committees analyzed the decision-making process during demonetization, demanding accountability from government institutions.
3. Aims to Achieve Equity and Inclusiveness
Accountability promotes justice and inclusiveness by addressing social inequalities and protecting marginalized groups.
- Fact: Public Interest Litigations (PILs) have exposed issues like child labor, bonded labor, and caste-based discrimination.
- Example: PILs have led to judicial interventions to protect the rights of disadvantaged communities.
4. Prevents Abuse of Power
Checks and balances among state institutions ensure accountability and prevent the centralization of power.
- Fact: Judicial review holds the legislature accountable by ensuring laws adhere to constitutional principles.
- Example: The judiciary overturned laws that violated fundamental rights, ensuring fairness and justice.
5. Improves Efficiency and Effectiveness
Accountability mechanisms set clear targets and monitor government performance, enhancing efficiency.
- Fact: The Swachh Bharat Mission includes a Monitoring and Evaluation Cell to track progress and address inefficiencies.
- Example: Regular evaluations have led to timely course corrections in sanitation programs.
6. Enhances Participation
Accountability fosters civic engagement by involving citizens, NGOs, and media in governance.
- Fact: Social Audit frameworks empower communities to oversee welfare schemes.
- Example: Social audits of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) have exposed corruption and improved service delivery.
Conclusion
Accountability strengthens governance by ensuring transparency, inclusiveness, and efficiency in public institutions. Mechanisms like RTI, PILs, and social audits empower citizens and prevent the abuse of power, fostering trust and democratic participation. By promoting accountability, India builds a governance model that is responsive, equitable, and effective.
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Answer: Transparency in administration is a sine qua non of participatory democracy and has gained prominence as a commitment of the state towards its citizens. It has the following significance for governance: Good governance: Disseminating information is crucial to good governance as it reflects aRead more
Answer: Transparency in administration is a sine qua non of participatory democracy and has gained prominence as a commitment of the state towards its citizens. It has the following significance for governance:
In this regard, the Indian government has come up with several initiatives towards open and transparent governance over the years like the Right To Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act), the National e-Governance Plan, 2006, National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy, 2012, the Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014, etc. Despite the importance of transparency, withholding of information from the public becomes important due to the following reasons:
Thus, there is some merit in withholding information from the public. However, before withholding critical information, other issues must also be addressed such as reducing the misuse of RTI exceptions, broadly defining ‘national security’ and ambiguous terms used in the Official Secrets Act, 1923, etc.
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