Recently demand has been rising in a state regarding the enactment of Social Accountability Law. How such a law can lead to good governance and boost citizens' participation in decision-making. Comment.
Main Body
World Bank defines Good Governance as the way power is exercised in development management of a country's economic & social resources.
Social Accountability law will strengthen this by legitimising social audit & answerability.
Demand for social acc. law for:-
1. Sevottam model of governance by:
2. Virtuous cycle of efficiency:
[Diagram: Better Public service -> Work done -> Social acc. mech -> Suggestion to improve/check on quality -> Better Public service]
3. Uphold principle of checks & balances.
[Diagram: citizen <-> governing agents, service accountably]
SAL leading to good governance:-
1. Improves transparency.
2. Hold governance accountable & answerable.
3. Reduce distance between govt. & citizen - ex: Gram Sabha as agents of social accountability.
SAL boosting citizen participation:-
4. Information dissemination on lines - ex: Jan soochna portal.
5. Policy formulation stage based on beneficiaries - ex: Gender budgeting.
Conclusion
A law in this regard surely does provide penal power & tooth to the process; but, such move must not be subjective leading to rise in judicial burdening.
28 words
Diagram
Cyclical diagram showing virtuous cycle of efficiency: Better Public service -> Work done -> Social acc mechanism -> Suggestion to improve/quality check -> back to Better public service
- Uses World Bank definition
- Diagram illustrating cyclical benefit
- Good use of schemes as examples
- Balanced conclusion cautioning against subjectivity
Annapurna Singh
Governance, Transparency, Accountability and E-governance
Transparency and Accountability
Social Accountability Law
184
Total words
7
Paragraphs
3
Bullets
analytical
Tone