Challenges in Ensuring Accountability

Published on 29 Jan 2025

Challenges in Ensuring Accountability

• Lack of transparency in the functioning of government institutions: This can lead to corruption and abuse of power, which undermines the democratic process.

•  Example: The 2G spectrum scam in 2010 

• Delay in justice delivery: This can lead to a lack of faith in the judiciary. Additionally, there is a need to ensure that the judiciary is independent and free from political influence

• Example: The Nirbhaya case took more than seven years to reach a verdict. 

• Bypassing measures for transparency: bypassing methods like RTI with other methods like the Official Secrets Act 1923, sealed cover jurisprudence etc.

• Example: As per statistics in 2019, around 50% of all cases involving a sealed cover have been in the past 10 years.

• Delay in addressing complaints: Lengthy inquiry processes can undermine public confidence in the accountability mechanisms. 

• Example: The impeachment process for judges

• Limited public awareness: Many citizens are unaware of the processes for filing complaints against judges or the executive branch of the government. 

• Example: Report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in 2009 found that only 13% of the rural population and 33% of the urban population were aware of the RTI Act.

Major Initiatives to enhance transparency and accountability in India

• Legislations

• RTI act: Ensures transparency and accountability by allowing citizens to access government information.

• Goods and Service Tax (GST): GST replaced multiple taxes, promoting tax transparency, streamlining compliance, and reducing evasion in India's taxation system.

• Institutional efforts

• Public Accounts Committee: It reviews government expenditures, audit reports and examines financial irregularities, ensuring transparency and holding officials accountable.

• Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG): It independently audits government finances, evaluates programs, and enhances accountability for more efficient governance. 

• Central Vigilance Commission (CVC): It ensures integrity, probes corruption, advises improvements and monitors ethical standards in administration, fostering accountability.

• Lokpal: It is an independent body responsible for addressing complaints of corruption against public officials, including PM, MP and other government employees.

• Policy initiatives

• Citizen Charters: Government's commitment document outlining services and schemes provided or to be provided citizens.

  
  

• Electoral Reforms: Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) has enhanced the transparency and credibility in the electoral process. 

• Digital India: It aims to promote digital literacy, improve digital infrastructure and deliver government services electronically.

• Corporate Governance Reforms (SEBI’s): Introducing a Corporate Governance Code, Whistleblower mechanism.

• Corporate Governance Reforms (Corporate Affairs ministry): Companies Act amendments, NFRA, and MCA21 portal enhance transparency.

• Government Schemes

• Open Government Data Platform: To provide government data in an open format.

• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): DBT directly transfers subsidies, reducing leakages.

• E-governance initiatives: leveraging information technology in government processes.

• Centralized Public Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS): A direct citizen channel to lodge complaints, ensuring accountability as authorities promptly address public concerns through this platform.

Tags:
Polity

Keywords:
Transparency accountability Good governance Challenges to accountability

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 2

Topics:
Governance and Transparency