Probity in Governance

Model Answer

Management: “Doing Things Right”

Management focuses on efficiency, precision, and compliance.

1. Execution of Duties:
   Managers ensure administrative tasks are carried out effectively and within legal frameworks.
   • Example: T.N. Seshan, as Chief Election Commissioner, upheld strict adherence to electoral laws, ensuring free and fair elections.
2. Resource Management:
   Proper allocation and utilization of resources are central to efficient service delivery.
   • Example: Resource management in disaster relief efforts ensures timely delivery of aid to affected regions.
3. Compliance and Accountability:
   Managers maintain organizational integrity by adhering to laws and policies.
   • Example: Former CAG Vinod Rai exemplified compliance by highlighting inefficiencies and corruption in public accounts.

Leadership: “Doing the Right Things”

Leadership is about vision, values, and inspiring change.

1. Setting a Vision:
   Leaders provide direction and purpose, aligning goals with societal needs.
   • Example: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam inspired the nation with his vision for a self-reliant India through scientific innovation.
2. Driving Change:
   Leaders challenge the status quo, addressing systemic issues with innovative solutions.
   • Example: E. Sreedharan, the “Metro Man of India,” led transformative urban transport projects with foresight and determination.
3. Empowering Others:
   Leadership fosters collaboration and builds capacity within teams.
   • Example: Ratan Tata’s leadership emphasized ethical decision-making and employee well-being, ensuring long-term organizational success.

Integration of Management and Leadership

By combining efficient management with visionary leadership, individuals can drive both operational excellence and transformative change. This balance strengthens governance, builds public trust, and fosters societal progress.

Model Answer

Introduction

Corruption continues to be a major issue in India, deeply rooted in various sectors like politics, business, and governance. I agree with the view that corruption thrives in Indian society due to its social acceptance and the perception that it is aspirational, although recent shifts in public attitudes indicate growing resistance.

Social Acceptance and Aspirational View of Corruption

Corruption often creates an image of success, with individuals who accumulate wealth and power through corrupt means being admired. In many cases, achieving success “by any means necessary” is seen as a shortcut to wealth, normalizing unethical practices. This normalization is further reflected in the widespread acceptance of “speed money,” where bribes are seen as a practical way to expedite services or get things done. For example, in sectors like bureaucracy and police, corruption is seen as the only effective way to bypass systemic inefficiencies, creating a cycle that is hard to break.

Shifting Attitudes and Anti-Corruption Movements

However, over time, there has been a growing intolerance towards corruption in India. The India Against Corruption Movement in 2011 became a significant turning point, mobilizing public opinion and pressuring the government for greater accountability. As a result, legislative measures like the Right to Information Act (2005) and the Lokpal Act (2013) were enacted to combat corruption more effectively.

Corruption in Elections and Public Sentiment

Corruption has also become a key issue in Indian elections, influencing the political landscape. Public outrage over high-profile scandals, such as the 2G spectrum case, coal allocation scam, and allegations of “40% commission” governments, has led to electoral shifts, showing that the public is increasingly intolerant of corrupt practices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while corruption thrives due to its social acceptance and perceived aspirational nature, there has been a marked shift in public sentiment toward greater accountability and the need for institutional reforms. Strengthening anti-corruption laws, promoting ethical leadership, and integrating ethics into education are essential for a long-term solution.

Model Answer

1. Responsibility and Accountability

Public funds must be used with integrity and in line with approved purposes. Government bodies should be held accountable for the proper utilization of taxpayer money.

• Fact: Misuse of funds can result in a loss of trust in public institutions.

2. Transparency

There should be clear communication regarding how public funds are spent. Transparency helps build trust between the government and the public.

• Fact: Prudence in managing public finances fosters long-term sustainability.

3. Efficiency and Effectiveness

Funds should be used in a way that maximizes societal benefit, focusing on areas like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

• Fact: Ethical management involves ensuring that resources are used in ways that maximize social advantage.

4. Equity and Fairness

Funds should be distributed equitably, ensuring that marginalized communities and the underprivileged are prioritized without discrimination.

• Fact: Discrimination based on caste, religion, or gender must be avoided.

Moral Implications of Bailouts for Corporations

The use of public funds for corporate bailouts raises several ethical concerns:

1. Unfair Burden on Taxpayers

Bailouts often benefit large corporations at the expense of individual taxpayers, leading to privatized profits and socialized losses.

• Example: In India, personal income tax contributes 60.2% of tax collections, while corporate tax contributes only 36.6%.

2. Issue of Equity

Bailouts create disparities, as certain corporations receive support while others, including struggling businesses or individuals, do not.

• Example: Air India received several bailouts, while private airlines did not.

3. Moral Hazard

Bailouts can incentivize risky corporate behavior, as companies may rely on government assistance rather than managing risks prudently.

• Example: Yes Bank’s crisis was exacerbated by its underreporting of non-performing assets (NPAs).

4. Erosion of Public Trust

Frequent bailouts may lead to a loss of trust in both government institutions and corporations, fostering a sense of inequality and unfairness.

• Fact: Trust in institutions is essential for a stable economy.

Conclusion

While the ethical use of public funds requires responsibility, transparency, and fairness, corporate bailouts present significant moral challenges. These issues necessitate careful consideration to balance corporate welfare with public interests, ensuring long-term equity and accountability in the use of taxpayer money.

Model Answer

Introduction

Access to information is a fundamental human right, recognized under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). Governments are expected to ensure transparency and accountability in their dealings by providing citizens with access to public information. This principle is foundational for democracy and the protection of freedoms.

Key Principles for Information Sharing by the Government:

1. Maximum Disclosure:
   • Governments should operate on the presumption that all public-held information is available for public access, except for a limited number of specific cases (e.g., national security). Information should be disclosed unless there is a compelling reason not to.
   • Example: India’s Right to Information Act, 2005, emphasizes transparency in governance by mandating the release of public records unless it pertains to sensitive national security matters.
2. Obligation to Publish:
   • Public bodies should not only respond to requests for information but also proactively publish key documents and reports of public interest to promote transparency.
   • Example: Government websites frequently publish annual reports, budgets, and statistics that are publicly accessible.
3. Promotion of Open Government:
   • Governments should encourage a culture of openness, informing citizens about their rights to access information and ensuring that information is presented in an accessible manner.
   • Example: Public awareness campaigns and government portals inform citizens of how to request information.
4. Limited Scope of Exceptions:
   • Exceptions to transparency should be narrowly defined, such as for national security or personal privacy, and should never be used to shield governmental wrongdoing.
   • Example: Information about government corruption or illegal activities should not be kept confidential.
5. Processes to Facilitate Access:
   • Information requests should be processed promptly, fairly, and without unnecessary barriers. Special provisions should be made for vulnerable groups.
   • Example: Assistance for illiterate or disabled citizens in obtaining information.
6. Cost Considerations:
   • The cost to access public information should be reasonable and not deter citizens from seeking important details.
   • Example: The Right to Information Act in India mandates nominal fees for filing requests.
7. Protection for Whistleblowers:
   • Whistleblowers who expose wrongdoing should be protected from retaliation, ensuring that those who reveal public interest information are safeguarded.
   • Example: Whistleblower protection laws in many countries safeguard individuals who expose corruption or misconduct.

Conclusion

The above principles provide a framework for ensuring transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in government functioning. By adhering to these principles, governments can build greater public trust, improve governance, and empower citizens to participate actively in democratic processes.

Model Answer

Probity, defined as adherence to strong moral principles, honesty, and integrity, is fundamental to fostering public trust in government institutions. Public trust refers to the confidence that citizens place in their government and its officials. The relationship between probity and public trust is critical, as high standards of ethical behavior in governance promote transparency, accountability, and the prevention of misconduct, fraud, and corruption.

How Lack of Probity Diminishes Public Trust

1. Undermines Public Confidence: When government officials engage in corrupt practices, it breaks the trust citizens have in them. For instance, financial scams involving public servants can significantly damage public perception of those in power.
2. Undermines the Rule of Law: Corruption that goes unpunished erodes trust in the legal system, suggesting that laws do not apply equally to all. As of December 31, 2022, over 6,800 corruption cases were pending trials in various courts, creating a perception of a slow and ineffective justice system that fails to hold powerful individuals accountable.
3. Weakens Social Fabric: Trust in government institutions is essential for social cohesion. A lack of probity increases suspicion and division within society. For example, politicians exploiting religious and caste-based sentiments for electoral gains, despite legal prohibitions, can polarize communities and weaken societal bonds.
4. Perception of Ineffective Governance: When public servants lack integrity, it leads to secretive practices that undermine transparency and fuel suspicions of wrongdoing. An example is the diversion of Public Distribution System (PDS) rations meant for beneficiaries to the open market, which erodes public faith in government effectiveness.

In conclusion, maintaining probity in governance is crucial for restoring and sustaining public trust in government institutions. Upholding ethical standards ensures effective public service delivery and fosters a healthy relationship between the government and its citizens.