Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction

• Brief Introduction to Ethical Challenges in Public Service
  • Mention the role of public servants in ensuring effective governance and the challenges they face due to ethical considerations.
  • Define ethical dilemmas in the context of public administration.

2. Identification of Key Ethical Challenges

• Economic Development vs. Environmental and Human Costs
  • Explain the dilemma between pursuing economic development and the costs associated with environmental degradation or displacement of people.
  • Example: Large infrastructure projects like dams or industries that may boost economic growth but harm the environment or displace communities.
  • Fact: Environmental concerns, like pollution and destruction of ecosystems, are often at odds with large development projects in India.

• Oath of Secrecy vs. Transparency

  • Public servants often need to maintain secrecy for national security or confidentiality reasons while also upholding the need for transparency to maintain accountability to the public.
  • Fact: The Right to Information Act (RTI) has increased transparency demands, but public servants still face difficulties in balancing secrecy with accountability.

• Conflicts Between Personal Beliefs and Official Duties

  • Public servants sometimes have to carry out policies or orders that conflict with their personal values.
  • Example: Implementing policies related to controversial issues like land acquisition or demolishing places of worship.
  • Fact: Examples such as the demolition of temples or religious sites for urban development have created dilemmas in the past.

• Politicization of Bureaucracy

  • Influence from political parties or pressure to favor certain groups or individuals over others compromises impartiality.
  • Fact: Bureaucratic decisions are sometimes influenced by political pressures, leading to bias and corruption.

• Allocation of Limited Resources

  • Public servants face the challenge of distributing limited resources fairly among sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
  • Fact: Limited funding for key public sectors often leads to ethical dilemmas in deciding which areas should receive priority.

3. Addressing Ethical Challenges

• ALIR Model (Accountability, Legality, Integrity, Responsiveness)
  • Public servants should use the ALIR model as a framework to guide their decisions.
  • Fact: This model ensures decisions are made based on accountability, legal frameworks, integrity, and responsiveness to the public.
• Engagement in Open Dialogue and Seeking Guidance
  • Encourage public servants to consult with superiors and colleagues to ensure their decisions align with ethical standards and public interests.
  • Fact: Engaging with the public and stakeholders helps to build consensus and ensure that decisions are transparent and fair.
• Adherence to Established Codes of Conduct
  • Following the code of ethics and conduct for civil servants, such as the Civil Services Conduct Rules, ensures ethical decision-making.
  • Fact: The Indian Civil Services Code of Ethics lays down guidelines to uphold public service values and conduct.
• Personal Moral Compass and Leadership
  • Public servants must develop a strong moral compass, perseverance, and leadership qualities to make ethical decisions in difficult situations.
  • Fact: Figures like Satyendra Dubey and Kiran Bedi, who stood firm on ethical issues, serve as examples of moral fortitude in civil services.

4. Conclusion

• Summarize the Ethical Challenges and Solutions
  • Reinforce the importance of adhering to ethical frameworks like the ALIR model, and the need for personal integrity, dialogue, and leadership in addressing ethical dilemmas.
  • Conclude with a statement on the significance of ethics in public service to ensure trust and accountability in governance.

Key Facts to Include in the Answer:

Economic Development vs. Environmental and Human Costs

• Fact: Development projects often have negative consequences on the environment and displace vulnerable populations. For example, large dam constructions in India have displaced many tribal communities and disrupted ecosystems.

Oath of Secrecy vs. Transparency

• Fact: The Right to Information (RTI) Act allows citizens to demand transparency in government actions, yet public servants often face ethical dilemmas when they are required to balance confidentiality with public accountability.

Conflicts Between Personal Beliefs and Official Duties

• Fact: Civil servants may have to implement controversial policies, such as land acquisition or demolitions, which conflict with their personal values.

Politicization of Bureaucracy

• Fact: Bureaucrats are sometimes pressurized by politicians to make decisions that favor certain groups or individuals, which compromises their impartiality and professional ethics.

Allocation of Limited Resources

• Fact: Public servants must make difficult choices regarding the allocation of funds across sectors, sometimes favoring one area over another based on political or societal pressures, which can lead to ethical dilemmas.

ALIR Model

• Fact: The ALIR model (Accountability, Legality, Integrity, and Responsiveness) helps public servants make decisions based on democratic accountability, legal frameworks, and ethical standards.

Examples of Ethical Leadership

• Fact: Public figures like Satyendra Dubey, who exposed corruption in infrastructure projects, or Kiran Bedi, known for her integrity and leadership in the police force, highlight the importance of moral courage in public service.

This roadmap will help structure a comprehensive answer that effectively discusses the ethical challenges and solutions for public servants in India.