ACCOUNTABILITY AND GOVERNANCE:
LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN KERALA AND KARNATAKA
V. Vijayalakshmi
Abstract
Transparency and accountability are vital factors in the effective performance of local government—including both political representatives and the bureaucracy. Conceptually there is little disagreement on the political and administrative dimensions of accountability, and their relation to the institutions of local government. Transparency and accountability are expected to reduce rent seeking in development activities. There is, however, a wide gap between normative principles and the actual manifestation of accountability. Political and bureaucratic processes, hierarchical social environment, poor citizens’ participation and lack of deliberation have influenced accountability in governance.