In evaluating the performance of civil servant, it is imperative to consider a comprehensive set of ethical traits that underpin their conduct and effectiveness in public service. Five fundamental ethical traits crucial for assessing their performance include integrity, accountability, impartiality, transparency, and empathy. Integrity ensures adherence to moral principles and ethical standards, fostering trustworthiness and reliability in decision-making processes. Accountability holds civil servants responsible for their actions, promoting transparency and the efficient use of public resources. Impartiality ensures fair treatment and equitable outcomes for all citizens, regardless of personal biases or affiliations. Transparency cultivates openness and accessibility in governmental operations, enhancing public trust and engagement. Lastly, empathy enables civil servants to understand and address the diverse needs and concerns of the communities they serve, fostering inclusivity and responsiveness. These traits collectively form a robust ethical framework essential for assessing the performance and effectiveness of civil servants in fulfilling their public duties.
Answer:
Approach:
- Start a brief introduction of the keywords ethics with the context of civil servant.
- Explain ethical traits on which one can plot the performance of a civil servant.
- Conclusion accordingly (inclusion in the matrix(ethical traits needed for civil servants).
Introduction:
- “The function of a civil servant is to assist the government, but the function of ethics is to restrain and guide.” – John F. Kennedy.civil service, plays a crucial role in defining the moral compass and guiding the behaviour of individuals serving in public administration. Civil servants are entrusted with the responsibility of upholding the principles of good governance, ensuring transparency, accountability, and serving the best interests of the public.
Body:
The Ethical traits that one can plot the performance of a civil servant : Ethical traits provide a framework for assessing the performance of a civil servant and evaluating their adherence to moral principles in their professional conduct. Here are some ethical traits on which the performance of a civil servant can be evaluated, along with justifications for their inclusion:
- Integrity: Integrity is a cornerstone of ethical behaviour for civil servants. It encompasses honesty, transparency, and adherence to moral and professional values. Civil servants with integrity demonstrate a strong commitment to eliminating corruption, ensuring the best utilisation of public resources, and upholding the principles of public service.
Example: T.N. Seshan, former Chief Election Commissioner of India, was known for his unwavering integrity and efforts to clean up the electoral process. He introduced various reforms to ensure free and fair elections, effectively combating corruption and malpractices.
- Compassion:Compassion involves empathy, understanding, and a genuine concern for the welfare of others. Civil servants who possess compassion demonstrate a deep sense of responsibility towards the weaker sections of society and work towards achieving positive outcomes.
Example: Kiran Bedi, the first woman IPS officer in India, is known for her compassionate approach to policing. She initiated several community-oriented programs to uplift underprivileged communities, focusing on education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment.
- Accountability:Accountability is crucial for ensuring transparency and building public trust. Civil servants who embrace accountability take responsibility for their actions and decisions. They are answerable to the public for the outcomes of their work and demonstrate a commitment to serving the best interests of the people.
Example: Vinod Rai, former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, exemplified accountability during his tenure. He spearheaded audits that exposed financial irregularities and corruption in various government departments, promoting transparency and accountability.
- Objectivity: Objectivity entails making decisions based on merit, free from personal biases or external influences. Civil servants who exhibit objectivity maintain impartiality, non-partisanship, and fairness in their actions, fostering an inclusive and democratic environment.
Example: Sonal Goel, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, showcased objectivity during her tenure as the District Magistrate of Gautam Buddh Nagar. She tackled issues such as illegal encroachments and land disputes objectively, ensuring a fair and just resolution for all parties involved.
- Selflessness: Selflessness involves prioritising the common good over personal interests and preventing the misuse of authority and resources. Civil servants who embody selflessness demonstrate a commitment to countering conflicts of interest, nepotism, and favouritism.
Example: Satyendra Dubey, an Indian Engineering Service (IES) officer, displayed remarkable selflessness in his fight against corruption. He exposed corruption in infrastructure projects and paid the ultimate price for his integrity, losing his life in the process.
Conclusion:
- Hence, we can say that these ethical traits form the basis for ensuring that civil servants fulfil their professional obligations, even in challenging situations. An ideal training program for civil servants should incorporate a combination of ethical traits, procedural rules, and practical scenarios. By nurturing these traits, civil servants can uphold high ethical standards, promote good governance, and effectively serve the public.In this direction PM of India recently launched mission karmayogi for civil servants.
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