GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

Enumerate the mechanisms that promote accountability of public officials in discharging their functions and responsibilities in India. Also discuss why ensuring accountability for performance is not a simple task in government service.

Answered by 19 toppers · CSE 2017–2020

Accountability and Ethical GovernanceProbity in GovernanceTransparency and InformationCivil Service ValuesCorruptionWork Culture

Syllabus: Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.

How toppers approached it

From all 19 answers · about 140 words · 16% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A definition63%
  • No separate opening37%

Body

  • Points89%
  • Points and prose11%

Close

  • A way forward47%
  • No separate close32%
  • A summary16%
  • A source5%

The toppers’ answers

Junaid AhmadAIR 3 · CSE 2018 · 158 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Thomas hobbes has talked about the state turning into a frankenstein monster if the powers are not checked. Thus accountability is a major tool for keeping institutions in check.

Mechanisms that promote accountability of officials

Body · points

(a) Internal → ACR prepared by the department → Budgeting and auditing of accounts → Transfers and suspensions

(b) External → Laws like RTI, social audit, grievance redressal mechanism. → Institutions like judiciary, Human right commission.

Ensuring accountability for performance is a difficult task. → Discretionary power in the hand of officials. e.g DM given the responsibility of anti trafficking fund. → Lack of quantitative outcomes → legal responsibility but not moral accountability e.g deaths in Malkangiri of children due to hunger. → Collusion - bureaucracy - corporate-politician

2nd ARC recommended certain measures for it.

  • Strict implementation of Sec 4 of RTI
  • Citizen charters
  • Code of ethics in the institution.

Close · a way forward

This could help in changing the scenario in the country.

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