An independent and empowered social audit mechanism is an absolute must in every sphere of public service, including the judiciary, to ensure performance, accountability and ethical conduct. Elaborate. (150 words) [2021]

An independent and empowered social audit mechanism is an essential element of a well-functioning public service, as it helps to ensure performance, accountability, and ethical conduct. A social audit is a process through which the performance and impact of a public service or program is independently assessed and evaluated by the community or other stakeholders.

An independent social audit mechanism is essential for a number of reasons:

It helps to ensure that public services and programs are meeting the needs and expectations of the community and are having the intended impact.
It promotes transparency and accountability by allowing the community and other stakeholders to assess and evaluate the performance and impact of a public service or program.
It helps to identify and address any issues or challenges related to performance, accountability, and ethical conduct, and to develop strategies for improvement.
It promotes public trust in the public service by demonstrating that the service is transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs and concerns of the community.