This question strikes at the very heart of governance in india — accountability. Citizens today are constantly monitored and penalized for even the smallest infractions: traffic violations, late payments, GST non-compliance, or even missing deadlines for official filings. technology has made it possible to track every move of the common man through Aadhaar, FASTag, or wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital challans, ensuring that no slip goes unnoticed.
Yet, when the shoe is on the other foot — when governments and their agencies fail to provide even basic civic infrastructure — the silence is deafening. Roads filled with potholes, overflowing garbage, dysfunctional streetlights, and poor drainage systems are not just inconveniences, but hazards to life and dignity. And yet, there is no fine, no penalty, no consequence for those in power. Accountability seems to run in one direction only — downward on citizens.
Imagine if the same zeal with which citizens are fined was applied to government departments. A transparent, tech-enabled platform could allow citizens to upload geo-tagged photos of potholes, broken footpaths, or waste mismanagement. These would be directly routed to the relevant municipal body or PWD office. If the issue is not resolved within a fixed timeline, a penalty could automatically be deducted from the department’s budget or even linked to officer perks.
A public dashboard could then display unresolved complaints, fines imposed, and officers held accountable — visible to every taxpayer who funds these systems. Such a mechanism would not only bring transparency but also instill a sense of urgency in officials who otherwise escape scrutiny.
At its core, democracy cannot merely be about citizens being monitored, fined, and punished while the state remains immune from consequences. True democracy demands a Right to Accountability Act that enforces timelines, service standards, and penalties for delays or negligence. The real test of governance is not in how swiftly a citizen is penalized, but in how swiftly the government corrects its own failures. After all, if accountability is expected from every individual, why should those entrusted with public resources and responsibilities be exempt? A system that balances citizen responsibility with state accountability is the only way forward for a healthier, more just democracy.
Yet, when the shoe is on the other foot — when governments and their agencies fail to provide even basic civic infrastructure — the silence is deafening. Roads filled with potholes, overflowing garbage, dysfunctional streetlights, and poor drainage systems are not just inconveniences, but hazards to life and dignity. And yet, there is no fine, no penalty, no consequence for those in power. Accountability seems to run in one direction only — downward on citizens.
Imagine if the same zeal with which citizens are fined was applied to government departments. A transparent, tech-enabled platform could allow citizens to upload geo-tagged photos of potholes, broken footpaths, or waste mismanagement. These would be directly routed to the relevant municipal body or PWD office. If the issue is not resolved within a fixed timeline, a penalty could automatically be deducted from the department’s budget or even linked to officer perks.
A public dashboard could then display unresolved complaints, fines imposed, and officers held accountable — visible to every taxpayer who funds these systems. Such a mechanism would not only bring transparency but also instill a sense of urgency in officials who otherwise escape scrutiny.
At its core, democracy cannot merely be about citizens being monitored, fined, and punished while the state remains immune from consequences. True democracy demands a Right to Accountability Act that enforces timelines, service standards, and penalties for delays or negligence. The real test of governance is not in how swiftly a citizen is penalized, but in how swiftly the government corrects its own failures. After all, if accountability is expected from every individual, why should those entrusted with public resources and responsibilities be exempt? A system that balances citizen responsibility with state accountability is the only way forward for a healthier, more just democracy.
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