Accountability of public institutions : emerging issues in the Indian context

The Rajaji Centenary Committee sponsored by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in December 1977 decided upon the establishment of Rajaji International Institute of Public Affairs and Administration.

In a Parliamentary democracy, the life of citizens is governed in a large measure by the quality and content of the policy measures and laws adopted by the Parliament, State Legislatures, and institutions of local self-government.

In this context, enhancement of the quality of governance and administration through the enrichment of the substance and processes of Constitutional and Parliamentary Democracy in India developing world is the mission of the Institute. and the With a view to fulfilling this mission, the Institute aims at (i) catering to the needs of legislators at all levels, non- governmental personnel, persons in public life and future parliamentarians, (ii) bridging the communication gap between elected representatives and specialists; and (iii) opening the Institute's programmes to other countries for strengthening democratic ideals.

The main objectives of the Institute are to resuscitate and foster ethical and human values in public life; to update knowledge and stimulate interaction in order to facilitate scientific analysis of key issues of public, national and international significance; to promote education and training among the youth intending to take up a career in public affairs and administration; and to undertake analytical studies and research on issues of current importance and concern in policy formulation.

The Institute, in order to facilitate interaction and learning. organises Workshops for analysis of policy issues of contemporary interest involving parliamentarians, legislators, adminsitrators and specialists; Seminars for parliamentarians, legislators and elected representatives on constitutional processes and parliamentary procedures; and Policy and applied research on public issues and evaluation studies.