National Civil Service Day
Why in the news?
- Every year, 21st April is celebrated as the Civil Services Day by the Government of India.
- It is celebrated as an occasion for the civil servants to rededicate themselves to the causes of citizens and renew their commitments to public service and excellence in work.
- The date is chosen to commemorate the day when the first Home Minister of Independent India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the probationers of Administrative Services Officers in 1947 at Metcalf House, Delhi.
- He referred to civil servants as the ‘Steel Frame of India’.
SIGNIFICANCE/IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION:
- Public resource utilization: Ethical use of resources ensures the efficient and effective development of society without It makes the one holding public office accountable for his/her actions.
- The ethical standards of Impartiality and objectivity bring merit into organization thereby, increasing predictability, which improves economic efficiency.
- Outcomes for society are better when the decisions of public office holders are made fairly and on merit and not influenced by personal and private interests. Commitment and dedication to work improves the administration.
- Public trust and assurance: Every section of public irrespective of race, religion, caste must be treated equitably and ethics ensures just and fair administration.
- Social capital: A just and ethical administration will have credibility and ensures citizen participation in The trust thus generated makes the administration easier and synergetic.
- Curb corruption: Improving efficiency and break the unholy nexus between the administration and the anti-social elements.
- Adding the component of compassion to day to day works makes a lot of difference to the lives of vulnerable sections.
- The administration becomes responsive to the needs and aspirations of the For instance, creation of a separate public market for road side vendors before their evacuation in West Bengal.
- Ethical administration also helps in building rapport in international relations and economy.
- To provide guidelines and rules which can harmonize the relationship between civil servants and political Thus, promoting the non-partisanship and impartiality in civil servants.
- To inculcate high moral standards in public servants and their ensure translation into actions.
- Absence of ethics results in authoritarianism, suppression of minority rights, high corruption and impoverishment of the poor and the vulnerable. Historically it has only been disastrous whether it is the colonial administration or the authoritarian governments like that of Hitler/Stalin.
VALUES IN ADMINISTRATIVE ETHICS:
- The salient ‘values’ envisaged in the draft ‘Public Service Bill’ are:
- Allegiance to the various ideals enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution.
- Apolitical functioning.
- Good governance for betterment of the people to be the primary goal of civil service.
- Duty to act objectively and impartially.
- Accountability and transparency in decision-making.
- Maintenance of highest ethical standards.
- Merit to be the criteria in selection of civil servants consistent, however, with the cultural, ethnic and other diversities of the nation.
- Ensuring economy and avoidance of wastage in expenditure.
- Provision of healthy and congenial work environment.
NOLAN COMMITTEE (1994) on Standards in Public Life:
- Selflessness – Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
- Objectivity – Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
- Accountability – Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
- Openness – Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
- Honesty – Holders of public office should be truthful.
- Leadership – Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it counts.
- Dedication – The quality of remaining committed to public cause and citizen welfare even in face of hardships, threat and temptation.
- Empathy and compassion– Empathy is about being able to accurately hear out and understand the thoughts, feelings and concerns of others, even when these are not made explicit. Compassion goes beyond empath and arouse an active desire to alleviate the suffering of others.
- Tolerance– It is a permissible attitude towards others especially when they have an opinion or view point opposite to one’s own opinion.
- Integrity– Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work.
Ethics guide human conduct and it help people to lead good life by applying moral principles. The same when applied to public administration will not only bring efficiency but also helps in developing an egalitarian, just and fair society.
