Today are we doing the right things in the wrong way or the wrong things in the right way? The lack of accountability is felt most acutely by ordinary citizens, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalised. It takes the form of violation of rights, denial of access, discrimination, deliberate exclusion and democratic marginalisation.
We have a muscular optimistic nationalistic government that is aiming for a $5 trillion economy in the midst of dire economic slowdown state of affairs, loss of jobs and rapidly changing world scenario. Add to this climate change, increasing population, high prices, administration and power structures finding multiple ways to circumvent democratic rule as we knew it! Power is being centralised and federation of States losing their powers with the danger of one party rule. Laws are being bulldozed through weak opposition without adequate scrutiny by Parliament, Bharat Jhunuhunwala has detailed how the birth place of Lord Ram is shrouded in various versions, debates and mystery, but the teachings are clearly for worship of one Brahman and not idol worship or fighting over his birthplace.
Nehru is sought to be vilified and Sardar Patel loftily projected not heeding the wise saying: “Never judge a person if you have not walked a mile in his moccasins and in those times”. What better than taking the definition of accountability from the very same people suffering from lack of it! A group of Dalit students from Bhilwara, Rajasthan articulated five ways in which routine engagement with the State accountable to the people, actually results in their disempowerment! These social accountability principles were acknowledged by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, and incorporated as “minimum principles” of social audit.
1.Jaankari: Access to relevant information
To make informed choices, hold those who we elect to govern accountable, know what is going on and is available, people need information. In spite of social media, mobiles and vast data freely and easily available, there is widening gap between information disclosed and that which is relevant and required in public domain! To add to this control is fake news, and technology so advanced with artificial intelligence that the saying “seeing is believing” may not be reliable anymore. The government has diluted the RTI Act and now even simple information sought from the I and B Ministry like contract of yoga instructor M/s Ira Trivedi and what remuneration paid by Doordharshan for her broadcasts has been denied and no reason given. The public broadcaster is funded by public funds and this information is not critical to safety of the nation. The said yoga instructor when contacted was surprised and opined that surely as citizens viewers have a right to know!
2. Sunwai : Right to be heard
Even if citizens obtain all the information and know their constitutional rights and laws and rules, there must be easily available reliable, affordable multiple modes and proper responsive forums to articulate their grievances. For example a citizen harassed by members of a majority caste or creed goes to the police station to file a FIR, but the complaint is not registered and the citizen is put into further danger. If a girl wants protection from a stalker, she should have confidence that she can safely approach the police! At present grievance redressal is grossly inadequate since they are entirely under control of the implementing agencies that are generally protective of themselves first and largely prejudiced due political patronage? Further the elderly, single women, children, illiterate, disabled or LGBT categories may need special help in articulating their grievances.
3. Karyawahi: Time-bound grievance redress
After access and complaint properly registered, there is no guarantee that it will not be kept pending in some file or have it purposely delayed if adjudicated by someone in the same department against whom it is filed! There is lack of both uniform and minimum time period for grievances to be ordinarily addressed. Truly justice delayed is justice denied!
4 Suraksha: Protection
Often the first person to be harassed for complaining/ disturbing established norms is the complainant himself! Having a different view from that of the establishment has even been considered antinational! Power and wealth skews the balance between the government and those who are governed, especially the poor and marginalised. Then there are vested interests that intimidate and suppress those revealing injustice or demanding justice. There is no protection for whistle blowers and in fact nearly 70 citizens using RTI and other legal means to access information and ask questions have been murdered! These days no firm action for prevention of horrific mob lynching, especially in the northern States proliferating unchecked, is not worthy of law and order expected in a civilized nation.
5. Bhaagidari: Participation
It is only by participation by all sections of society that just allocation of resources can flow, retribution and restoration for fraud and misappropriation can be effectively demanded and realised against a State that wields more power than individual citizens. The Municipality, Panchayat and Gram Sabhas must be powerful enough not to let the State’s narrative dominate the individual citizen’s reality and truth! For this every residence must have at least one member actively participating in the proceedings, contrasting with sparse attendance today. The imbalance can only be corrected if citizens are able to engage the State collectively and publicly. Democracy will then move beyond will of manipulated electoral majorities!
(The author is a retired naval officer, freelance writer resident in Porvorim)
