You are here
pages 142 to 143
What do accountability and transparency mean?
Accountability and Transparency
two different words
Accountability
The government must answer
It can be questioned
Example:
about ANSWERING
Transparency
Its working is open
Citizens can see and check
Example:
about SHOWING
Term
Meaning
Accountability
The government must
answer
for what it does, and can be questioned
Transparency
The government's working is
open
- citizens can see and check it
- Accountability is about answering .
- Transparency is about showing .
To whom is a democratic government accountable?
- Democratic governments are accountable to citizens .
How can citizens evaluate the actions of the government?
![Accountability and Transparency - Democracy - [Teachoo] - Concepts](https://cdn.teachoo.com/6be13248-76af-4de6-ba67-f184912d3a80/a-public-office-counter.jpg)
A public office counter
- Through three ways named in the chapter:
- Elections
- Public debates
- Engagement with civil society
Why does this matter?
- Continuous public involvement strengthens democracy .
- It builds trust between the government and the people.
What ensures accountability and transparency in India?
What keeps government answerable
RTI Act, 2005
seek information
Question Hour
members question the government
Auditing
of government accounts
↓
Institutional and policy frameworks in the Indian democratic system
- Several institutional and policy frameworks ensure them in the Indian democratic system.
- Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 - allows citizens to seek information from government agencies.
- Parliamentary procedures , such as Question Hour .
- Auditing of government accounts.
What is Question Hour?
- The first hour of a parliamentary session, when members ask questions to the government.
- It helps check the government's work and hold it accountable .
Which institutions are accountability mechanisms?
| Short form | Full name | Function |
|---|---|---|
| CAG | Comptroller and Auditor General | Audits government accounts |
| CIC | Central Information Commission | Handles RTI appeals |
| Lokpal | Lokpal | Inquires into corruption complaints |
| CVC | Central Vigilance Commission | Checks corruption in government departments |
- These are the bodies the chapter lists as accountability mechanisms, promoting the value of transparency .
- The chapter names these four but does not describe what each does.
- The Function column is added for understanding.
1. What is the difference between accountability and transparency?
Show answer
Accountability means the government must answer for what it does. Transparency means its working is open, so citizens can see and check it.
2. Name three ways citizens can evaluate the actions of the government.
Show answer
Elections, public debates, and engagement with civil society.
3. What does continuous public involvement do for democracy?
Show answer
It strengthens democracy and builds trust between the government and the people.
4. Which Act allows citizens to seek information from government agencies, and in which year was it passed?
Show answer
The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
5. What is Question Hour?
Show answer
The first hour of a parliamentary session, when members ask questions to the government - it helps check the government's work and hold it accountable.
