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Accountability & Ethical Governance

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Home/Ethics in Public Administration/Accountability & Ethical Governance/Page 4

Mains Answer Writing Latest Questions

Riddhi Sharma
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Riddhi SharmaBegginer
Asked: July 28, 2024In:
  • 1

question
  1. Kanhiya Lal
    Kanhiya Lal Begginer

    Organizations can promote accountability and ethical behavior among their employees by implementing several strategies, including: Establishing a strong code of conduct: Develop a clear and concise code of conduct that outlines expected behaviors and consequences for non-compliance. Leadership by exRead more

    Organizations can promote accountability and ethical behavior among their employees by implementing several strategies, including:

    1. Establishing a strong code of conduct: Develop a clear and concise code of conduct that outlines expected behaviors and consequences for non-compliance.
    2. Leadership by example: Leaders should model the behaviors they expect from others, demonstrating accountability and ethical decision-making.
    3. Open communication: Encourage open and transparent communication throughout the organization, fostering a culture where employees feel comfortable reporting concerns or asking questions.
    4. Training and education: Provide regular training and education on ethics, compliance, and accountability, ensuring employees understand the importance of ethical behavior.
    5. Accountability mechanisms: Establish processes for reporting and investigating incidents, and ensure consequences for non-compliance.
    6. Incentivizing ethical behavior: Recognize and reward employees who demonstrate ethical behavior, while also addressing and correcting unethical behavior.
    7. Conduct regular audits and assessments: Regularly review and assess the organization’s compliance with its own policies and regulations.
    8. Employee engagement: Foster a culture of employee engagement, which encourages employees to take ownership of their work and feel invested in the organization’s success.
    9. Anonymous reporting mechanisms: Provide anonymous reporting mechanisms, such as hotlines or online platforms, to allow employees to report concerns without fear of retaliation.
    10. Regular feedback and coaching: Provide regular feedback and coaching to employees, helping them understand expectations and improve their performance.

    The impact of promoting accountability and ethical behavior on overall corporate culture and performance is significant:

    1. Improved reputation: A culture of accountability and ethics builds trust with stakeholders, enhancing the organization’s reputation.
    2. Increased employee morale: When employees feel valued and respected, they are more likely to be motivated, engaged, and committed to the organization.
    3. Better decision-making: Ethical decision-making leads to better business outcomes, as employees are more likely to make decisions that align with the organization’s values.
    4. Reduced risk: A culture of accountability reduces the risk of regulatory non-compliance, litigation, and reputational damage.
    5. Improved compliance: Regular audits and assessments ensure compliance with regulations, reducing the risk of fines, penalties, or other consequences.
    6. Enhanced innovation: A culture of ethics encourages innovation, as employees feel comfortable sharing ideas and taking calculated risks.
    7. Better talent attraction and retention: Prospective employees are attracted to organizations with strong ethics and values, while existing employees are more likely to stay with organizations that prioritize accountability.
    8. Stronger relationships with stakeholders: Trust is built when organizations demonstrate accountability and ethical behavior, leading to stronger relationships with customers, investors, partners, and suppliers.
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Khushi saini
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Khushi sainiLearner
Asked: June 14, 2024In:
  • 0

The moment has come for a legally binding code of ethics for government workers, one that not only outlines the moral principles they must uphold in their public life but also lays out the consequences for transgressing these principles. Discuss. ...

upsc: accountability & ethical governance
  1. Devendra Singhal
    Devendra Singhal Begginer

    Answer: A code of ethics is a set of guidelines issued by an organization to its workers and management to help them conduct their actions in accordance with the primary values and ethical standards of the organization. The fundamental tenets of a code of ethics and values in civil services includeRead more

    Answer: A code of ethics is a set of guidelines issued by an organization to its workers and management to help them conduct their actions in accordance with the primary values and ethical standards of the organization. The fundamental tenets of a code of ethics and values in civil services include integrity, empathy, objectivity, transparency, and professional competency, among others. There is no single code of ethics for civil servants in India. However, there are several conduct rules such as the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, All India Services (Conduct) Rules, etc., which prescribe allegiance to the Constitution, apolitical functioning, and objective decision-making. Several committees like the Santhanam Committee, Hota Committee, etc. have recommended a code of ethics for Civil Services in India. The Government of India also brought a Bill in the Parliament, which prescribed values that a civil servant should exhibit. A legally enforceable code of ethics is expected to bring the following changes in civil services:

    • Improve service delivery:
      • By helping in discharging official duties with competence and accountability; care and diligence; responsibility, honesty, objectivity, and impartiality; without discrimination, and in accordance with the law.
      • By ensuring effective management, professional growth, and leadership development.
      • By avoiding misuse of official positions or information and using public money with utmost care and economy.
      • By ensuring that the civil servants serve as instruments of good governance provide services for the betterment of the public at large and protect the interest of the poor, underprivileged, and weaker sections.
    • Avoid corruption
      • By complementing penal provisions for instances of misuse of funds and official positions.
      • By avoiding nepotism, and favoritism and instilling a sense of righteousness in civil servants.
      • It will help in strengthening the ethical framework in the civil servant and more specifically principle of transparency which is considered a disinfectant against corruption.
    • Apart from these, a legally enforceable code of ethics will bind a civil servant to display ethical values associated with civil services such as probity, compassion, empathy, neutrality, etc.

    However, to further strengthen the ethical framework, it is equally necessary that the non-observance of these rules by civil servants is met with penal provisions. Given India’s past experience with the Citizens’ Charter, it can be safely presumed that a Code of Ethics that does not punish for its violation will not be successful. In this regard, the 2nd ARC fervently pitched for a Code of Ethics and related reporting systems to keep track of the ethical conduct of a civil servant. Accordingly, the ethical conduct of civil servants should be directly linked with their annual performance review report. Along with this, strengthening the ethical framework will go a long way in ushering in ‘good governance’.

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Khushi saini
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Khushi sainiLearner
Asked: June 14, 2024In:
  • 0

Even if open and transparent governance is becoming more popular, do you believe that there are some good reasons to keep some information from the public? Provide examples to support your claims. (150 words)

upsc: accountability & ethical governance
  1. Devendra Singhal
    Devendra Singhal Begginer

    Answer: Transparency in administration is a sine qua non of participatory democracy and has gained prominence as a commitment of the state towards its citizens. It has the following significance for governance: Good governance: Disseminating information is crucial to good governance as it reflects aRead more

    Answer: Transparency in administration is a sine qua non of participatory democracy and has gained prominence as a commitment of the state towards its citizens. It has the following significance for governance:

    • Good governance: Disseminating information is crucial to good governance as it reflects and captures the government’s activities and processes. It also leads to accountability.
    • Participative democracy: Every citizen of the state has the right to access information under the control of public authorities and evaluate whether it is in consonance with public interest.
    • Economic and social progress: Transparency is the key not only to the architecture of good governance but also to a country’s ability to usher in rapid economic and social progress.
    • Balancing power: Transparency can empower marginalized communities to battle the circumstances in which they find themselves and help balance the unequal power dynamics that exist between them and the government.

    In this regard, the Indian government has come up with several initiatives towards open and transparent governance over the years like the Right To Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act), the National e-Governance Plan, 2006, National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy, 2012, the Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014, etc. Despite the importance of transparency, withholding of information from the public becomes important due to the following reasons:

    • National security: The RTI Act provides that certain sensitive information may be withheld from the public if the public authority in possession of the information thinks that the same is likely to jeopardize national interest or violate trade secrets. Also, the Official Secrets Act, of 1923 states that spying, sharing ‘secret’ information, interference with the armed forces in prohibited/restricted areas, etc. are punishable offenses.
    • Privacy: Information that unnecessarily violates the privacy and confidentiality rights of individuals should be curtailed. For instance, sensitive information like the identity of victims of sexual abuse.
    • Maintaining public order: Sometimes released information might lead to undue stigmatization of individuals or groups within the society and create issues with regard to public order. For instance, during violent upsurges, certain sensitive information is withheld to ensure peace and stability in society.
    • Preventing misinformation: Some information, if released, might lead to the spread of rumors and consequently lead to panic and chaos. For instance, the spread of misinformation was rampant during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Thus, there is some merit in withholding information from the public. However, before withholding critical information, other issues must also be addressed such as reducing the misuse of RTI exceptions, broadly defining ‘national security’ and ambiguous terms used in the Official Secrets Act, 1923, etc.

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Kavita Singh
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Kavita SinghLearner
Asked: June 17, 2024In:
  • 0

The general public, in addition to public employees, is crucial in institutionalizing high norms of moral behavior and sound government. Give specifics. (150 words)

upsc: accountability & ethical governance
  1. Abhishek Singh
    Abhishek Singh Learner

    Answer: There are increasing expectations in countries across the world that the government and its various organs maintain high ethical standards and integrity in governance. In response, countries have made significant progress in terms of developing effective Civil Service Ethics, Codes of ConducRead more

    Answer: There are increasing expectations in countries across the world that the government and its various organs maintain high ethical standards and integrity in governance. In response, countries have made significant progress in terms of developing effective Civil Service Ethics, Codes of Conduct, transparency measures, Ethics and Integrity systems, and anti-corruption agencies. It is public servants’ responsibility to maintain and strengthen the public’s trust and confidence in government, by demonstrating the highest standards of professional competence, efficiency and effectiveness, upholding the Constitution and the laws, and seeking to advance the public good at all times. However, as a necessary prerequisite for internalising integrity and ethics in democratic governments and the Civil Service, it is not only public servants but also common citizens that play a key role:

    • Dealing with officials: All citizens in their official dealings with public bodies, civil servants, and public officials should observe a number of responsibilities of good citizenship. For example, honest reporting of crimes or stating facts in the courts of law etc.
    • Serving as role models: Citizens such as celebrities, sportspersons etc. also play a role in institutionalizing and guiding ethical conduct in the society. For example, Amitabh Bachchan’s contribution in eradication of Polio from the country and moving out of Pan Masala advertisements keeping the public interest in mind.
    • Grassroot empowerment: In the rising culture of Sarpanch Pati, it is the local people of the Gram Sabha itself who have to come out in protest so that women empowerment and decentralization become effective.
    • Saving precious resources: Considering the fact that India is fighting for acute resources, it is the responsibility of every citizen to come up with efficient habits. For example, replacing flood irrigation by micro-irrigation techniques, conserving electricity, using renewable sources of energy, etc.
    • Behavioural change: In the light of rising preventable deaths in India, citizenship participation becomes imperative. For instance, behavioural change is an important aspect of Swachha Bharat Abhiyan.
    • Constitutional Duties: Fundamental duties have also been created considering the argument that with rights come responsibilities. So, it is the fundamental duty of every citizen to preserve India’s integrity and uphold constitutional tenets of an inclusive and cohesive society.

    High standards of ethical conduct and good governance therefore aren’t just a prerogative of public servants alone but also require a careful balancing of citizens’ rights and duties. In the event of a citizen’s failure to comply with these requirements, a government organisation may impose an administrative penalty, usually in the form of a withdrawal of a service provided by the organisation, for a limited period of time.

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Vishal Singh
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Vishal SinghBegginer
Asked: June 25, 2024In:
  • 0

Corruption is a threat to democracy, and public perceptions of it are a major factor in determining how widespread and detrimental it is. Talk about it. (Answer in 150 words)

upsc: accountability & ethical governance
  1. Anshika Singh
    Anshika Singh Learner

    Corruption is a multifaceted phenomenon, linking multiple issues together such as abuse of entrusted power for private gains, lack of integrity, taking bribes, maladministration, fraud, and nepotism. It is a challenge to democracy in following ways: It tends to threaten the basic social and economicRead more

    Corruption is a multifaceted phenomenon, linking multiple issues together such as abuse of entrusted power for private gains, lack of integrity, taking bribes, maladministration, fraud, and nepotism.

    It is a challenge to democracy in following ways:

    • It tends to threaten the basic social and economic fabric of the country. It will lead to increased poverty and inequality and make the public and private sector dysfunctional.
    • It also leads to rigged economic and political systems and diminishes states capacity and damages institutional efficiency to tackle corruption and other bad governance in the public administration.
    • It leads to political instability and can lead towards civil unrest and political chaos.

    The citizens estimate corruption in several ways, for example, citizens estimate the trustworthiness of the public organizations, social institutions as well the government of the country and in turn their acceptability and hostile attitude as well participation towards corruption shapes up. Further, the citizens watch how frequently the different forms of integrity-violating actions take place in public administrations and how deep rooted they are.

    This estimation and perception of corruption by citizens can have following impact, which is harmful and help in widespread prevalence of corruption due to following reasons:

    • People’s trust and confidence in the control of corruption is decreased if trust in the government in general is weak.
    • People lose trust in leaders, in social systems and public institutions and sometimes even in society and ethics itself when they sense that corruption is widespread and corrupt actors are not being held accountable.
    • When political non-accountability increases, such perceptions persist for protracted periods and political participation diminishes. Moreover, public frustration and the sense that corruption is widespread can in turn pave the way for citizens themselves to take part in corrupt transactions.

    Thus the proper diagnosis of the causes and logic behind corruption play an important role in combating it. Maintenance of diverse forms of citizen participation, independent and self-regulated media, a high level of education, ensuring transparency and accountability will contribute towards a lower level of corruption.

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Irfan Ahamad
  • 0
Irfan AhamadBegginer
Asked: June 25, 2024In:
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What does the phrase “social accountability” mean to you? Describe its importance and go over the important elements that make any social accountability program successful. (Answer in 150 words)

upsc: accountability & ethical governance
  1. Gita Sharma
    Gita Sharma Begginer

    Social accountability is defined as an approach toward building accountability that relies on civic engagement, i.e., mechanisms in which the ordinary citizens and/or civil society organizations participate directly or indirectly in exacting accountability. It covers a broad range of actions to holdRead more

    Social accountability is defined as an approach toward building accountability that relies on civic engagement, i.e., mechanisms in which the ordinary citizens and/or civil society organizations participate directly or indirectly in exacting accountability.
    It covers a broad range of actions to hold public servants accountable, for example – participatory budgeting, public expenditure tracking, social audit, citizen advisory boards etc. These citizen- driven accountability measures complement and reinforce conventional mechanisms of accountability.
    Significance of social accountability:

    • Improved governance: Social accountability mechanisms allow ordinary citizens to access information, voice their needs, and demand accountability, thus allowing them to engage with government and increase the chances of effecting positive change.
    • Increased development effectiveness: Social accountability mechanisms promote dialogue and consultation between the policy makers, service providers and citizens, and create incentives for improved performance. Hence it can help in effective service delivery and more transparent public decision-making.
    • Empowerment: Social accountability mechanisms help provide voice to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. This empowers the poor and increases the chance of greater responsiveness on the part of the State to their needs.

    The success of any social accountability mechanism is heavily dependent on following factors:

    • Political context and culture: The feasibility and likelihood of success of social accountability initiatives are highly dependent upon whether the political regime is democratic, basic political and civil rights are guaranteed and whether there is a culture of political transparency and probity.
    • Access to information: Access to public documents is essential to hold the government accountable and thus its availability and reliability is a key determinant of the success of social accountability mechanisms.
    • The role of the media: Independent media is a leading force in informing/educating citizens, monitoring government performance and exposing misdeeds.
    • Civil society capacity: The working of Civil Society Organizations, the breadth of their membership, their capacity to effectively use media, their legitimacy etc. are all central to the success of social accountability activities.
    • State-civil society synergy: Effective interaction between civil society and the State is another critical factor as meaningful results are achieved only when citizens, politicians and civil servants all have an incentive to act in cohesion.
    • Institutionalization: While ad hoc or one-off social accountability initiatives can make a difference, experience shows that impact is greatest and most sustainable when social accountability mechanisms are “institutionalized”.

    The Government has already introduced the concept of social audits in multiple welfare schemes. It can further consider introducing the social accountability law to institutionalize the social accountability mechanism in India.

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Shristi Chopra
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Shristi ChopraBegginer
Asked: July 9, 2024In: ,
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  1. VISHAL KUMAR
    VISHAL KUMAR Begginer

    The relationship between the central (federal) government and state governments varies depending on the country's political structure. In general terms: Unitary System: Here, the central government has all the power and delegates authority to local governments as necessary. States or provinces do noRead more

    The relationship between the central (federal) government and state governments varies depending on the country’s political structure. In general terms:

    Unitary System: Here, the central government has all the power and delegates authority to local governments as necessary. States or provinces do not have much autonomy.

    Federal System: Powers are divided between the central government and state or provincial governments. Each level of government has its own sphere of authority, and they coexist independently within their respective areas.

    In federal systems like that of the United States or India:

    Division of Powers: The constitution typically outlines the powers of each level of government. The central government usually deals with national defense, foreign affairs, currency, and other overarching issues. State governments handle matters like education, healthcare, transportation, and local governance.

    Constitutional Framework: The constitution serves as the supreme law of the land and defines the powers and responsibilities of each level of government. It also often includes mechanisms for resolving disputes between the central and state governments.

    Interdependence: Both levels of government rely on each other to some extent. States may depend on the central government for funding or policy direction, while the central government may rely on states for implementation of policies and local governance.

    Coordination and Cooperation: While they operate independently within their spheres, effective governance often requires coordination and cooperation between the central and state governments. This can be achieved through mechanisms like intergovernmental meetings, councils, and joint decision-making bodies.

    Overall, the relationship between the central and state governments is crucial for the functioning of federal systems, aiming to balance national unity with regional autonomy and responsiveness.

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Shubhangee Shukla
  • 0
Shubhangee ShuklaBegginer
Asked: July 10, 2024In: ,
  • 0

What do you think is the essence of Ultimate Femine Energy ?

  1. simin naaz
    simin naaz Begginer

    "Beauty of women is being a women". A women is a complete human with unmatched potential that can change lives. The energy that she radiates is phenomenal, it's a never ending site of energy. The energy she holds is not temporary it's always being created within her. Firstly, speaking about the qualRead more

    “Beauty of women is being a women”. A women is a complete human with unmatched potential that can change lives. The energy that she radiates is phenomenal, it’s a never ending site of energy. The energy she holds is not temporary it’s always being created within her.
    Firstly, speaking about the qualities of grace, empathy, intuition, sensitivity which are so charismatic and attractive that it can bring life to a dead soul. No energy is as strong yet so tender as that of the feminine energy. This can be explained by giving an example of mother and son, a mother takes all her strength to nurture a child to be able to deal with the world around and yet can be so soft with her child. No man can ever match the tenderness a woman has.
    Additionally, feminine energy makes a woman derive a sense of purpose and satisfaction by doing things for others. She gains contentment by working for relations around her. It’s little visible but a feminine touch is like adding sparkle life. It’s so soft and genuine I wonder if anything can be as real as such feminine energy.
    Feminine energy is and must be a quality of women would be a wrong statement to make. Because like ying yang energies work in balance and hence men also need to have such feminine touch to thrive better in life. This energy is a rhythm a human must possess to be in symphony with life.
    Lastly, it is a free flowing energy without resistance; it’s still yet moving, it’s the foundation and it can be a reason for demolition for yet another foundation.

     

     

     

     

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