Doctrine of Public Accountability in India: T...

Doctrine of Public Accountability in India: The Journey from Reid to RTI Act, 2005

Author Name : Parvathy Manoj

INTRODUCTION

Every government is responsible to its citizens. The government is dissuaded from acting arbitrarily against its people. The concept of accountability becomes pertinent in this context. The government functions through its offices and extends services through public officers. If a citizen or citizens suffer an injury due to an act of omission or commission by a public officer, then he/she must be held responsible for it.

An accountable government delivers an image of transparency and trustworthiness. The concept of Public accountability is emphasized;

1. To keep a check on the growing misuse of power by the administration
2. To aid the victims of abuse of power. [1]

Public reposes its trust on the government and power is consequentially vested. Therefore, the public authority must be exercised with caution and also there should be a system to keep a check on the exercise of such vested authority. There should be full disclosure of judicial as well as other systems to obtain public confidence.[2]