Mentor’s Comments-
- Briefly explain what you understand by accountability and efficiency.
- Discuss why they are deemed antithetical to each other.
- Give reasons as to why accountability is a sine qua non for good governance.
- Conclude accordingly.
No. 1 UPSC IAS Platform for preparation
Mentor’s Comments-
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Shri Ram
Decent attempt. In introduction, you have defined accountability- that is good, also talk about efficiency- ability to accomplish something with the least amount of wasted time, money, and
effort or competency in performance.
In next part, RTI example is good. Further you can explain it better by saying that makes public officials status-quoist in their conduct and promotes risk aversion resulting in a compromise on efficiency(fear of RTI); delay in decision-making.
Next part is also okay, mention of example is good. Further you can add that accountability is essential for maintaining legitimacy and credibility of administration; may be causing delay in short-run but essential in long-run. For example, in the case of involving construction of dams, not eliciting public opinion or providing for rehabilitation and resettlement will ultimately result in protests leading to delays in implementation.
Steps mentioned are fine.
Keep writing. 🙂
Id0000486418
Hello
You have just written one part of the answer that is benefits of accountability. Although you have written it well, but the answer is incomplete.
First define accountability and efficiency in intro.
After that mention why sometimes accountability is considered hampering efficiency. Points that you can mention-
Greater focus on accountability hampers efficiency, as efficiency requires wider managerial
discretion while accountability calls for tighter control.
An attempt to increase transparency and public participation in order to ensure accountability
will invariably result in delay in decision-making. For instance, public officers spend their
time in maintaining records or answering RTIs etc., which can otherwise be utilised to perform
executive tasks.
It makes public officials status-quoist in their conduct and promotes risk aversion
resulting in a compromise on efficiency. In this context, due to frequent usage of the RTI Act, there was paralysis and fear in the government and its functionaries due to which officials refrained from taking prompt decisions.
Then mention about accountability and its benefits as you have done.
Conclude by saying good governance requires both accountability and efficiency.
Keep writing. 🙂