a. Ethical Responsibilities of Public Servant

1. Integrity and Honesty: Public servants must exhibit integrity and honesty in their duties, avoiding any form of corruption or malpractice. For example, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) ensures that public servants adhere to ethical standards.

2. Accountability: They are accountable to the public and should be transparent in their actions. Public disclosures and regular audits, such as those by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), uphold this accountability.

3. Impartiality: Public servants should act impartially, ensuring that their decisions are not influenced by personal interests or biases. The Code of Conduct for Central Government Servants outlines these expectations.

b. Public Interest and the Right to Information

1. Public Interest: Public interest involves actions and policies that benefit the community and promote the common good. For example, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan aims to improve sanitation and public health.

2. Right to Information (RTI): The RTI Act empowers citizens to seek information from public authorities, enhancing transparency and accountability. The RTI Act, 2005 has led to greater governmental openness, such as the recent RTI queries about COVID-19 vaccine distribution revealing detailed vaccine rollout plans.

Conclusion: Ethical responsibilities ensure public servants act with integrity and accountability, while public interest and RTI promote transparency and public participation in governance.