Topic Relevance
GS-4 Ethics: Public / Civil service values
- Civil Service is a VOCATION. It is not just a job, it is a way of life.
- A Civil Servant should feel pleasure in serving the public.
- He/she should have the willingness to behave competently, efficiently, honestly, responsibility, objectively, fairly & with accountability.
- Aristotle said that everyone at position of power and authority should have four cardinal values:
- Prudence: Exercise with practical wisdom
- Justice
- Fortitude
- Temperance
- Here are some important attributes of Civil Servants:
- Neutrality
- Integrity
- Honesty
- Impartiality
- Non-Partisanship
- Objectivity:
- Legal responsibility comes from Objectivity
- Moral responsibility comes from Values
- It leads to transparency in decision-making
- Dedication
- Empathy
- Tolerance & Compassion
- Courage
- High self-confidence & self-esteem but with humility
ETHICAL ISSUES IN CIVIL SERVICES
Today the Indian Civil Service is facing a large number of ethical issues and most of them, directly or indirectly, are related to corruption. Corruption is an important manifestation of the failure of ethics. Some ethical issues have been listed below:
- Corruption
- Asymmetric Distribution & Abuse of Power
- Lack of Accountability
- Political Interference
- Lack of Integrity
- Lack of Action against Corrupt Officials
- Lack of Proper Protection to whistleblowers
- Lack of Proper Code of Conduct
- Lack of Transparency & Sensitivity towards the common man.
In this regard, the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) has observed that:
- Corruption is a matter of concern particularly of the cutting edge levels of the bureaucracy.
- There is a perceptible lack of commitment in public servants towards redressal of citizen’s grievances.
- Red-tapism and unnecessary complex procedures add to the hardship of citizens.
- Government servants are rarely held to account and complaints to higher authorities usually go unheeded.
- Generally, the attitude of many public functionaries is one of arrogance and indifference.
- Frequent transfer of officers reduces their effectiveness and also dilutes their accountability
- Sometimes there is “unholy” nexus between unscrupulous politicians and bureaucrats leading to poor governance