(a) An independent and empowered social audit mechanism is an absolute must in every sphere of public service, including…

(a) An independent, empowered social audit in every public service

Social audit lets citizens verify records, spending and outcomes against what was promised, supplementing the CAG's financial audit and the RTI Act.

It must be independent because an agency that audits itself buries its findings. Andhra Pradesh's Society for Social Audit, Accountability and Transparency, working apart from the rural development department, recovered misappropriated wages under MGNREGA (now succeeded by the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025); Meghalaya's Social Audit Act, 2017 extended the practice to all departments by law. It must be empowered — recovery, disciplinary action and time-bound replies — or it becomes a ritual.

In the judiciary it must respect judicial independence: audit administration and access, not judgments. Pendency data on the National Judicial Data Grid, court-user surveys, transparent case listing and legal-aid delivery can be audited publicly, raising accountability without touching adjudication.

(b) "Integrity is a value that empowers the human being"

Integrity is the consistency of conscience, word and action, and it empowers in three ways. It frees a person from fear: one with nothing to hide cannot be blackmailed or bought, and so can refuse pressure. It confers moral authority: people follow a leader they trust, which no order can command. And it gives self-respect, the root of courage.

Illustrations: S.R. Sankaran, the IAS officer known for his work against bonded labour, drew public trust from personal integrity rather than rank. Ashok Khemka, despite frequent transfers, could keep questioning dubious land deals because his record left nothing to use against him. In daily life, a shopkeeper known for honest weights builds a loyal clientele. Corruption does the opposite: it makes a person dependent on whoever knows their secrets.