Constitutional framework key to ensuring transparency and accountability

By Raj Kumar Sinha*

holds an important place in creating a transparent system because it provides a fundamental framework that defines and limits the functions of the government. This ensures and helps prevent the . The Constitution clearly defines the powers and functions of the different organs of the government—the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. It prevents the concentration and misuse of power, ensuring that all actions are carried out according to law.

The Constitution establishes , which means that the country is governed not by the whims of individuals but by established laws. This creates a fair and equal system. It grants citizens fundamental rights that the government is obligated to protect. Provisions like the , often inspired by constitutional principles, give citizens the right to seek information about the functioning of the government, thereby increasing transparency.

Transparency and accountability are two essential elements of good governance. The Constitution includes provisions that make government bodies accountable to the people for their decisions and actions, such as the establishment of constitutional authorities like the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). When the government works transparently as per constitutional norms, citizens’ trust in government increases. This strengthens legitimacy and builds trust between the government and the people. Transparency is a powerful tool in combating , and the constitutional framework promotes a culture of openness and integrity at all levels of governance.

The Constitution serves as the foundation for a transparent and accountable system of governance, ensuring that the government functions in the public interest and within the limits of the law. , in several landmark judgments, has clarified that the Right to Information is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) (freedom of speech and expression) and (right to life). This right allows citizens access to information about government functioning, ensuring transparency.

Bringing government schemes and services online has improved transparency and made access to information easier for citizens. The central government has significantly expanded the use of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in various welfare schemes (such as ), ensuring that subsidies or benefits are sent directly to the bank accounts of beneficiaries. Such transfer systems reduce the role of middlemen and minimize leakages. For public procurement, the central government launched the , which allows bidding, auctions, and transactions to take place digitally. Through mechanisms like e-bidding and reverse auctions on GeM, transparency in purchasing processes has increased. According to a report by the central government’s data and Bluekraft Digital Foundation, the DBT system has saved a total of ₹3.48 lakh crore over the past decade, attributed mainly to “reducing leakages.”

The Constitution tells us how the entire system will function. It covers serious and complex matters such as the , formation and dissolution of governments, separation of powers, and protection of rights. The Constitution remains important because it provides direction to governments as well.

Independent institutions are the protective shield of democracy. If they appear biased, public trust weakens. Allegations of pressure on institutions like the Election Commission, Enforcement Directorate, CBI, and the judiciary are often raised against the government. Many civil society groups and international reports have expressed concern over freedom of expression, media autonomy, and internet restrictions. The Indian Constitution is based on “cooperative federalism.” Several state governments complain that the Centre does not adequately consult them on policy and financial decisions.

In a democratic society, judicial transparency and accountability cannot be underestimated. These principles serve as the foundation of public trust in the judiciary, ensuring not only that justice is done but that it is also seen to be done. When citizens have access to information about court proceedings and decisions, it enhances understanding and trust in the legal system. At the same time, accountability acts as a check against misuse of power and helps maintain the independence of the judiciary.

---

*Bargi Dam Displaced and Affected Union

Comments

From plagiarism to proxy exams: Galgotias and systemic failure in education

By Sandeep Pandey* Shock is being expressed at Galgotias University being found presenting a Chinese-made robotic dog and a South Korean-made soccer-playing drone as its own creations at the recently held India AI Impact Summit 2026, a global event in New Delhi. Earlier, a UGC-listed journal had published a paper from the university titled “Corona Virus Killed by Sound Vibrations Produced by Thali or Ghanti: A Potential Hypothesis,” which became the subject of widespread ridicule. Following the robotic dog controversy coming to light, the university has withdrawn the paper. These incidents are symptoms of deeper problems afflicting the Indian education system in general. Galgotias merely bit off more than it could chew.

Farewell to Saleem Samad: A life devoted to fearless journalism

By Nava Thakuria* Heartbreaking news arrived from Dhaka as the vibrant city lost one of its most active and committed citizens with the passing of journalist, author and progressive Bangladeshi national Saleem Samad. A gentleman who always had issues to discuss with anyone, anywhere and at any time, he passed away on 22 February 2026 while undergoing cancer treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He was 74.

From ancient wisdom to modern nationhood: The Indian story

By Syed Osman Sher South of the Himalayas lies a triangular stretch of land, spreading about 2,000 miles in each direction—a world of rare magic. It has fired the imagination of wanderers, settlers, raiders, traders, conquerors, and colonizers. They entered this country bringing with them new ethnicities, cultures, customs, religions, and languages.

Sergei Vasilyevich Gerasimov, the artist who survived Stalin's cultural purges

By Harsh Thakor* Sergei Vasilyevich Gerasimov (September 14, 1885 – April 20, 1964) was a Soviet artist, professor, academician, and teacher. His work was posthumously awarded the Lenin Prize, the highest artistic honour of the USSR. His paintings traced the development of socialist realism in the visual arts while retaining qualities drawn from impressionism. Gerasimov reconciled a lyrical approach to nature with the demands of Soviet socialist ideology.

The 'glass cliff' at Galgotias: How a university’s AI crisis became a gendered blame game

By Mohd. Ziyaullah Khan* “She was not aware of the technical origins of the product and in her enthusiasm of being on camera, gave factually incorrect information.” These were the words used in the official press release by Galgotias University following the controversy at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi. The statement came across as defensive, petty, and deeply insensitive.

Public money, private profits: Crop insurance scheme as goldmine for corporates

By Vikas Meshram The farmer in India is not merely a food provider; he is the soul of the nation. For centuries, enduring natural calamities and bearing debt generation after generation while remaining loyal to the soil, this community now finds itself trapped in a different kind of crisis. In February 2016, the Modi government launched the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) with the stated objective of freeing farmers from the shackles of debt. It was an ambitious attempt to provide a strong safety net to cultivators repeatedly devastated by excessive rainfall, drought, and hailstorms.

Development at what cost? The budget's blind spot for the environment

By Raj Kumar Sinha* The historical ills in the relationship between capital and the environment have now manifested in areas commonly referred to as the "environmental crisis." This includes global warming, the destruction of the ozone layer, the devastation of tropical forests, mass mortality of fish, species extinction, loss of biodiversity, poison seeping into the atmosphere and food, desertification, shrinking water supplies, lack of clean water, and radioactive pollution.

Conversion laws and national identity: A Jesuit response response to the Hindutva narrative

By Rajiv Shah A recent book, " Luminous Footprints: The Christian Impact on India ", authored by two Jesuit scholars, Dr. Lancy Lobo and Dr. Denzil Fernandes , seeks to counter the current dominant narrative on Indian Christians , which equates evangelisation with conversion, and education, health and the social services provided by Christians as meant to lure -- even force -- vulnerable sections into Christianity.

Thali, COVID and academic credibility: All about the 2020 'pseudoscientific' Galgotias paper

By Jag Jivan* The first page image of the paper "Corona Virus Killed by Sound Vibrations Produced by Thali or Ghanti: A Potential Hypothesis" published in the Journal of Molecular Pharmaceuticals and Regulatory Affairs , Vol. 2, Issue 2 (2020), has gone viral on social media in the wake of the controversy surrounding a Chinese robot presented by the Galgotias University as its original product at the just-concluded AI summit in Delhi . The resurfacing of the 2020 publication, authored by Dharmendra Kumar , Galgotias University, has reignited debate over academic standards and scientific credibility.

Search This Blog