Recommendations of ARC with regards to Ethics in Public Administration

The Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was set up in 1966 by the Government of India to examine the existing administrative system in the country and suggest ways to improve it. The ARC made several recommendations with regards to ethics in public administration. Some of these recommendations are: 

• Code of conduct: The ARC recommended that a code of conduct should be developed for public servants, which should be enforced by an independent body. The code of conduct should cover all aspects of public service, including integrity, impartiality, accountability, and transparency.
• Ethics training: The ARC recommended that ethics training should be made a part of the initial and ongoing training for public servants. The training should focus on values such as integrity, honesty, and respect for the law.
• Whistleblower protection: The ARC recommended that a mechanism should be put in place to protect whistleblowers who report corruption or malpractices in public service.
• Strengthening the vigilance machinery: The ARC recommended that the vigilance machinery should be strengthened to prevent corruption and ensure accountability in public service.
• Merit-based recruitment: The ARC recommended that recruitment to public service should be based on merit rather than on nepotism or other considerations.
• Punitive action: The ARC recommended that punitive action should be taken against public servants who violate ethical standards or engage in corrupt practices.

Apart from the recommendations of the ARC, there are several other possible ways to address ethical issues in public administration, some of which include:

• Strengthening accountability mechanisms: A strong accountability mechanism can serve as a deterrent against unethical behavior in public administration. This can include measures such as independent audits, regular reporting, and monitoring of public officials’ activities.
• Implementing a code of ethics: A code of ethics can serve as a guiding principle for public officials, outlining the expected behaviors and values that they must adhere to while serving the public.
• Encouraging transparency: Public officials must be transparent about their actions and decisions, and this can be achieved by ensuring that information about government activities is readily available to the public. This can include measures such as the publication of annual reports, disclosure of financial information, and regular press briefings.
• Promoting education and training: Education and training programs can be designed to equip public officials with the knowledge and skills required to make ethical decisions while serving the public.
• Encouraging whistleblowing: Whistleblowers can play a critical role in exposing unethical practices in public administration. Therefore, public officials must be encouraged to report any wrongdoing without fear of retaliation.
• Strengthening public participation: The involvement of the public in decision-making processes can promote transparency and accountability in public administration. This can include measures such as public consultations, citizen juries, and participatory budgeting.
• Applying sanctions and penalties: Sanctions and penalties can be imposed on public officials who engage in unethical behavior. This can include disciplinary action, fines, and in extreme cases, criminal charges.