Transparency and Accountability

Accountability means the administrator’s obligation to give a satisfactory account of their performance and how they have exercised their powers. The wrong and arbitrary administrative actions can be checked and an increase in the efficiency and effectiveness of administrative processes can be achieved.

Transparency means Openness in the decision-making process and freedom of information to members of the public and media.

Importance of information/transparency:

• Makes the government more accountable; citizens can monitor the government’s performance.
• Will ensure Careful utilisation of funds will reduce corruption and increase the economy, i.e. less wastage.
• Will take decisions objectively; less nepotism.
• Will expose rules/procedures that make the government slow.
• Will improve relations between government and clients (citizens & business houses) + citizens will be able to participate in the governance process.
• It’s the basis of democracy.
• Mechanism to achieve transparency and accountability:
• Parliamentary accountability (Via questions hours, various motions, budgetary system and committee system).
• Judicial accountability (Via judicial review, enforcing writs, appeals against governments action).