How do the virtues of trustworthiness and fortitude get manifested in public service? Explain with examples
How do the virtues of trustworthiness and fortitude get manifested in public service? Explain with examples
Trustworthiness embodies reliability and integrity in fulfilling commitments, while fortitude represents moral courage to uphold principles despite adversity - both fundamental to effective public service delivery.
Manifestation of Trustworthiness in Public Service
• Transparency in Decision-Making: Civil servants maintaining open communication with citizens through RTI compliance and proactive disclosure (e.g., E-governance initiatives like Digital India ensuring accessible information).
• Fiscal Responsibility: Prudent management of public resources demonstrated through zero-tolerance corruption policies and CAG audits (e.g., Aruna Roy's advocacy for transparent MGNREGA fund utilization).
• Promise Fulfillment: Delivering on policy commitments within stipulated timelines, exemplified by E. Sreedharan's punctual completion of Delhi Metro project building public confidence.
• Confidentiality Maintenance: Protecting sensitive information while balancing public interest (e.g., maintaining national security protocols during diplomatic negotiations).
• Consistent Service Delivery: Ensuring equitable treatment across all citizens regardless of socio-economic status through standardized procedures and merit-based selections.
• Accountability Mechanisms: Establishing robust grievance redressal systems and citizen feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement in service quality.
Manifestation of Fortitude in Public Service
• Whistleblowing Against Corruption: Ashok Khemka's repeated transfers for exposing land scams demonstrate moral courage in upholding public interest over personal security.
• Policy Implementation Under Pressure: Kiran Bedi's prison reforms despite resistance from vested interests showcasing determination to transform correctional systems.
• Disaster Management Leadership: Civil servants displaying courage during natural calamities like COVID-19 pandemic response and cyclone evacuations prioritizing citizen welfare.
• Standing Against Political Pressure: Maintaining constitutional values and rule of law when faced with unethical political directives (e.g., Election Commission's independence during electoral processes).
• Innovation Despite Resource Constraints: Armstrong Pame's road construction in Manipur using community participation demonstrates perseverance in overcoming infrastructural challenges.
• Social Justice Advocacy: Championing marginalized communities' rights through affirmative action implementation and inclusive governance practices.
These virtues create institutional credibility and citizen trust, essential for democratic governance and sustainable development, ultimately strengthening the social contract between state and society.
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Ethics: Theory PYQs from 2015
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Public servants are likely to confront with the issues of “Conflict of Interest”. What do you understand by the term “Conflict of Interest” and how does it manifest in the decision making by public servants? If faced with the conflict of interest situation how would you resolve it? Explain with the help of examples
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At the international level, bilateral relations between most nations are governed by the policy of promoting one’s own national interest without any regard for the interest of other nations. This lead to conflicts and tension between the nations. How can ethical consideration help resolve such tensions? Discuss with specific examples.
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Today we find that in spite of various measures of prescribing codes of conduct, setting up vigilance cells/commissions, RTI, active media, and strengthening of legal mechanisms, corrupt practices are not coming under control.
(a) Evaluate the effectiveness of these measures with justifications
(b) Suggest more effective strategies to tackle this menace - 10 MarksView Answer
Two different kinds of attitudes exhibited by public servants towards their work have been identified as the bureaucratic attitude and the democratic attitude.
(a) Distinguish between these two terms and write their merits and demerits.
(b) Is it possible to balance the two to create a better administration for the faster development of our country? - 10 MarksView Answer
Some recent developments such as the introduction of the RTI Act, media and judicial activism, etc. are proving helpful in bringing about greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of the government. However, it is also being observed that at times the mechanisms are misused. Another negative effect is that the officers are now afraid to take prompt decisions. Analyze the situation in detail and suggest how the dichotomy can be resolved. Suggest how these negative impacts can be minimized.
- 10 MarksView Answer
Social values are more important than economic values. Discuss the above statement with examples in the context of the inclusive growth of a nation.
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