Probity in public life refers to the quality of honesty, integrity, and moral uprightness exhibited by individuals holding positions of authority or influence in the public sphere. It encompasses principles such as transparency, accountability, and adherence to ethical standards in all actions and decisions. In contemporary times, practicing probity faces numerous challenges due to factors such as rampant corruption, political polarization, and the influence of vested interests. The interconnectedness of global economies and technological advancements have also introduced new avenues for unethical behavior and manipulation. Overcoming these difficulties requires a multi-faceted approach involving stringent legal frameworks, effective enforcement mechanisms, robust whistleblower protection, and comprehensive public education on the importance of ethical conduct. Additionally, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability within institutions and promoting ethical leadership are essential steps toward upholding probity in public life. Through collective efforts from both policymakers and citizens, these challenges can be addressed to ensure the integrity and trustworthiness of public institutions.
Tag: Probity in Governance.
Decoding the Question:
- In Introduction, try to start your answer with a brief introduction on probity.
- In Body, the problems faced by the officers while practicing probity.
- In Conclusion, try to end your answer by giving ways to overcome these difficulties.
Answer:
Probity stands for impeccable standards of morality in public life. It goes beyond financial honesty or non-corrupt behaviour. Probity means that public servants will take no undue advantage of any sort from their office. They will avoid any semblance of impropriety. They will show intellectual honesty and will give policy-advice to ministers objectively.
Officers face following problems while upholding probity:
- Lax moral environment: On many occasions other public servants lack morality and integrity while performing public services.
- Political pressures for wrong doing:Political pressure is very common in the life of public servants.
- Lack of support from seniors: While performing duties or facing any hardship the junior public servants hardly get any support from the seniors.
- Risks to career of honest officers: In the present environment the honest public servants have many risks. In some circumstances it becomes life threatening.
- Getting side-lined to insignificant posts: The public servants who are performing their duties with utmost dedication and not bending down in front of any political pressure get frequent transfers.
- Frequent transfers and inconvenience to family: Frequent transfers are always very much inconvenient with respect to the family life of the public servants.
Ways to overcome these challenges:
- A specialized unit to monitor government officials’ violations of the Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct should be established at the union and state levels.
- The general public must have access to information through websites.
- Mandatory disclosure of government personnel’s assets and liabilities, accompanied by proper auditing.
- Establishment of Citizens Advisory Boards for Independent Anti-Corruption Agencies to include ideas from the general people in strengthening governance.
- All government programmes must undergo a mandatory social audit, for example, Meghalaya has enacted legislation requiring social audits of all government activities.
- The absence of corruption is a necessary condition for safeguarding the integrity of governance. Other criteria include effective laws, rules, and regulations controlling all facets of public life and, more importantly, effective and equitable enforcement of those laws, rules, and regulations.
- Apart from legislation and policy, the government should work to improve the behaviour of government officials so that they can easily empathise with the masses’ problems.
Honest officers have to be prepared to make sacrifices for principles. Virtue is its own reward. They can gently oppose improprieties. They can appeal to the good sentiments of seniors and political leaders. As the difficulties arise from external sources beyond their control, officers cannot overcome them on their own. But because of judicial pronouncements, CAG audits and greater risks of exposure, wrong doers now face may change things.
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