Accountability & Code of Ethics

‘Accountability’ in context of public service means answerability for one’s actions and decisions. It is obligation of a public servant to accept responsibility for what he does. Several steps can be taken to ensure individual and collective responsibility. 

• Strengthening legal dimension by promoting civil servants to follow rule of law in public expenditure and decision making will promote accountability. 

• Clear job description and well defined chain of command with adequate checks and balances will further ensure accountability. 

• External control through legislature and judiciary will also help strengthen accountability in the system. A well informed citizenry and a proactive civil society can help ensure accountability in a better way. 

• In order to ensure compliance to procedures and laws by civil servants, a set of rewards and punishments should also be set up. They should also disclose their personal income at the end of financial year on a public website. 

• Codes of ethics and codes of conduct should be clearly developed and promoted. Committee system should be adopted for decision making so that discretion is minimized. Citizen’s Charter and e-governance can be other steps that can promote accountability.