The term ‘public servant’ embodies a fundamental concept within the framework of governance and societal welfare. At its core, a public servant is an individual entrusted with the responsibility of serving the public interest, representing the government, and ensuring the well-being of the community. This role extends across various sectors, including government agencies, public offices, and civic organizations. The expected role of a public servant revolves around the principles of integrity, accountability, and commitment to the common good. Public servants are tasked with implementing and enforcing laws, delivering essential services, and promoting the overall welfare of citizens. Their actions are guided by a sense of duty to uphold the values of justice, equality, and transparency. In essence, a public servant plays a pivotal role in fostering a harmonious and functional society, acting as a bridge between the government and the people, and striving to create a positive impact on the lives of those they serve.
Tag: Concept of public service.
Decoding the Question:
- In the Introduction, define public servant.
- In Body,
- Mention the characteristics of a public servant.
- Discuss the expected role of a public servant.
- Mention a few notable works by public servants.
- Discuss the importance of public servants.
Answer:
A public servant is generally a person who is employed directly or indirectly by the government, either through appointment or election. A public servant values the public good over his/her interests. Taxpayers and public funds partially or fully fund their wages, which is why they are known as servants of the public. The duties of public servants are as diverse as the duties and responsibilities of the government.
Characteristics of Public Servant:
- Selflessness: The public servant has to keep the welfare of the public and society above his/her advantage.
- Empathetic: The public servant should be able to understand the feelings and emotions of the public to create a positive impact through his decisions and actions.
- Moral integrity: The civil servant should hold high morals and ethical beliefs while performing his role.
The expected role of a public servant:
A public servant is expected to play certain roles which are as follows:
- Public Servants must protect and promote our constitutional ideals enshrined in the preamble, to uphold the rule of law, dispense administrative justice, and ensure administrative facilitation.
- As an elite segment of society, public servants have an important role in informing and even formulating public opinion and perception on various issues.
- The public servant should be emphatic as also advised by Mahatma Gandhi that if anyone was in doubt if an action was good or not put herself in the situation of the poorest of the poor in the country and see how a particular policy and program would impact him or her.
- S/He should also be ‘efficient’ as administrators occupying positions of power and authority, it is their responsibility to translate policies into programs, to implement schemes on the ground.
- They need to be agile in their thoughts and actions. For eg. they should be able to access the latest information and knowledge and use them for improving service delivery.
- They should be impartial and incorruptible as also observed by Sardar Patel and should work for an inclusive national development as mandated by the Constitution.
- They should behave in a dignified manner and can patiently listen and take a balanced view. They must eschew arrogance and authoritarianism and be able to approach even the most intractable issues and irritants with a calm demeanor.
A Few Notable Works by Public Servants:
- Armstrong Pame, an IAS officer from the Zeliangrong community (Naga tribes), is an empath by nature. He took on the mission of improving the lives of the people in Manipur. His crowded source was successful in building a 100 km long road on a remote hill in Manipur without government funds.
- Judges like J.S. Verma worked till the age of 80 to prepare a report after the Nirbhaya rape case.
- P Narahari is known for the change that he brought to the lives of people with disabilities. He constructed and advocated for a barrier-free environment that ensures that people with disabilities can move about safely and independently.
Kautilya in his Arthashastra emphasized the importance of the common citizens: “It is the people who constitute a kingdom; like a barren cow, a kingdom without people yields nothing”. Thus the success of the administration depends upon the involvement, commitment, dedication, and sacrifice with which the public servants put their efforts for the welfare of the teeming millions in the country. Public servants are the backbone of any governance system. Hence, they should meet the highest level of service delivery.
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