Transparency-concept, meaning, nature and related dimensions - GovtVacancy.Net

Transparency-concept, meaning, nature and related dimensions

Transparency International defines transparency as 'Transparency is the state of laying light on rules, plans, procedures, actions. It is a state of knowing why, how, what and how much  . Transparency ensures that public officials, civil servants, managers, board of directors and professionals act with a better understanding and openness.

 

In the opinion of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, transparency is the  core value of public administration. The United Nations defines transparency as, “Transparency is  the free access of reliable information on decisions and performance in the public domain to the public in a timely  manner.”

 

Many important efforts have been made to bring transparency in the governance system in India. The Right to Information Act, 2005 provides  for a transparent system to ensure uninterrupted supply of various services to the citizens. Apart from this  , measures have been taken to make the Citizen's Charter effective. Instructions have been given to prepare and implement Citizen's Charters related to public service in various Ministries and Departments  . Efforts have been made to bring transparency in the system through various reports, cards, provisions for social auditing  and electronic governance initiatives.

 

The fourth report published by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission titled 'Ethics in Governance'  states, “The term transparency in public administration is used in the sense of openness and accountability  . An organization is considered transparent when its decision-making and functioning  are open to the public, to media scrutiny and to public discussion. A transparent system of administration  helps the public to participate in the decision of the government and  thus contributes to the lower level and becomes a democratic function.

 

India took a major step towards transparency in administration with the enactment of the Right to Information Act, 2005  . The Commission has examined all aspects of freedom of information in its first report titled 'Right to Information Master Key to Good Governance'.

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