Accountability and Ethical Governance

Accountability and Ethical Governance

In public administration, accountability and ethical governance are the two pillars that ensure trust between the government and citizens.

  • Accountability means that officials and institutions must answer for their actions and be ready to face consequences.
  • Ethical governance means ruling with integrity, fairness, and transparency so that power is not misused.

👉 A government may be powerful, but without accountability it becomes unjust; without ethics, it becomes corrupt. Together, they create a governance system that is just, responsible, and people-centric.

What is Accountability?

Accountability is the obligation of individuals or institutions to:

  1. Explain their decisions and actions,
  2. Accept responsibility, and
  3. Face consequences if they fail to perform.

👉 In simple terms: Accountability means “answerability.”

Examples of Accountability:

  • A District Collector must explain why relief materials were delayed during floods.
  • A police officer must justify the use of force in public protests.
  • A teacher must account for low learning outcomes in a government school.

What is Ethical Governance?

Ethical governance refers to administration based on values such as:

  • Integrity
  • Transparency
  • Fairness
  • Compassion
  • Justice

It ensures that decisions are morally correct and that the welfare of people remains the top priority.

Examples of Ethical Governance:

  • Publishing tender results online ensures transparency.
  • Treating citizens politely at government offices reflects ethical behavior.
  • Allocating government resources fairly, without favoritism.

Accountability + Ethical Governance = Good Governance

  • Accountability without ethics → Fear-driven governance, focusing only on punishment.
  • Ethics without accountability → Good intentions but no responsibility or results.
  • Both together → A governance system that is responsible, fair, and trustworthy.

Types of Accountability

Accountability in governance is of different kinds. Each plays a unique role in ensuring checks and balances.

  1. Political Accountability
    • Leaders accountable to the people through elections.
    • Example: Ministers resigning after policy failures like mismanagement of natural disasters.
  2. Administrative Accountability
    • Bureaucrats accountable to laws, rules, and superiors.
    • Example: An IAS officer questioned for misuse of government funds.
  3. Legal Accountability
    • Institutions accountable to courts and laws.
    • Example: Citizens filing petitions under the RTI Act.
  4. Financial Accountability
    • Proper use of public money.
    • Example: CAG audits government expenditure.
  5. Social Accountability
    • Direct accountability to citizens and civil society.
    • Example: Social audits in MGNREGA schemes.

Flowchart: Types of Accountability

Why is Accountability Important?

Accountability ensures that governance is not arbitrary. It guarantees that power is exercised responsibly.

Importance:

🔹 Promotes Transparency – Citizens know how decisions are made.
🔹 Reduces Corruption – Misuse of power can be detected.
🔹 Builds Trust – Citizens have faith in public institutions.
🔹 Ensures Efficiency – Resources are used properly.
🔹 Protects Rights – Especially of marginalized groups.

Ethical Principles in Governance

For accountability to succeed, ethical principles must guide decision-making. Some important values include:

  1. Integrity – Doing the right thing even when nobody is watching.
    Example: An officer refuses a bribe.
  2. Objectivity – Decisions based on merit, not favoritism.
    Example: Recruitment through fair exams.
  3. Transparency – Open decision-making processes.
    Example: E-tendering for government contracts.
  4. Compassion – Sensitivity towards citizens’ needs.
    Example: Disaster relief with human dignity in mind.
  5. Justice – Equal treatment under the law.
    Example: Strict action against discrimination in government programs.

Ethical Dilemmas in Accountability

In real life, public officials often face ethical dilemmas.

Example 1: Law vs. Compassion

  • A poor shopkeeper violates rules by setting up a stall on the roadside.
  • The law demands eviction, but compassion suggests leniency.
  • What should an officer do? Balance is required.

Example 2: Loyalty vs. Integrity

  • A bureaucrat is pressured by a minister to grant an illegal contract.
  • Loyalty to the minister conflicts with duty to the Constitution.
  • Ethical governance requires choosing integrity over loyalty.

Mechanisms for Accountability and Ethical Governance

Governments use several tools to enforce accountability:

  1. Right to Information (RTI) Act – Citizens can ask questions.
  2. Lokpal & Lokayuktas – Independent anti-corruption ombudsman.
  3. Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) – Ensures financial discipline.
  4. Code of Conduct for Civil Servants – Guides ethical behavior.
  5. Citizen Charters – Public service commitments.
  6. Social Audits – People evaluate government schemes.
  7. E-Governance – Digital platforms ensure transparency.

Challenges in Ensuring Accountability

Despite strong frameworks, accountability often fails due to:

  • Political interference in administration.
  • Red-tapism and excessive paperwork.
  • Lack of awareness among citizens about rights.
  • Weak enforcement of ethical codes.
  • Corruption networks that protect wrongdoers.

Case Studies

Case 1: RTI and Accountability

In Rajasthan, RTI activists exposed irregularities in ration distribution. This led to reforms in PDS (Public Distribution System).

Case 2: Ethical Governance in Kerala

During the Kerala floods (2018), the government set up transparent online donation platforms. Every rupee was accounted for publicly. This built trust.

Case 3: Lack of Accountability – Bhopal Gas Tragedy

The Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) showed failure of accountability. Neither the company nor officials took full responsibility, leading to huge loss of life.

How Civil Servants Can Ensure Accountability

For UPSC aspirants who will become future administrators:

  1. Be Transparent – Share decisions openly.
  2. Be Responsive – Address citizen grievances quickly.
  3. Be Responsible – Take ownership of mistakes.
  4. Be Impartial – Avoid favoritism.
  5. Be Courageous – Stand against corruption.

Key Takeaways

🔹 Accountability = Answerability
🔹 Ethical Governance = Fairness + Integrity
🔹 Together they create Good Governance
🔹 Civil servants must balance law, compassion, and justice
🔹 Mechanisms like RTI, CAG, Lokpal, and Social Audits strengthen accountability

Conclusion

Accountability and ethical governance are not just administrative requirements—they are moral duties. They ensure that democracy works for the people and that power is used for public welfare, not personal gain.

For civil service aspirants, understanding this relationship is crucial. Tomorrow, as officers, your actions will directly affect the lives of millions. Upholding accountability and ethics will make you not just a good officer, but also a guardian of democracy.