IASbaba's Hot Questions, IASbaba's Think Learn and Perform 2017, UPSC Mains Answer Writing
SYNOPSIS- IASbaba’s TLP 2017 [10th Feb] – Day 20
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1. What is non- partisanship? How is it different from objectivity? Clarify by giving suitable examples.
Non – Partisanship: Non partisanship in general terms mean not taking any sides. In political science, non – partisanism is a lack of affiliation with a political party. Non-partisanship is the practice of no involvement with any political party even if the person has strong belief in any political ideology. It implies that the administrator is to do his task without any fear of, or favour to any political party. The values of the administrator will flow from the constitution not from the ideology of any political party. Non-partisanship ensures a neutral approach in politics and a solid commitment to the government.
Objectivity means lack of bias, judgement and prejudice. An objective decision is based fact and figure and lacks individual’s subjectivity. Objectivity is sticking to the facts, being guided by the evidence and considering an event will be closer to the truth the more supporting evidence it has.
Both the values are extremely important for unbiased working of a civil servant but there is a slight difference between the two. Objectivity is value positive i.e. it guides an officer to take an action based on certain rules and facts while Non – partisanship is value negative as it inhibits an officer to take certain actions under any influence. (The concept can be understood with an analogy of Fundamental Rights and DPSPs. Rights are value negative as they inhibit the government to take any action infringing the right of a citizen, while DPSPs are value positive as they guide the government to take certain actions.)
One very basic example showing the difference between the two is, while designing or framing a policy, an officer needs to be objective and takes into account the facts and data generated by an unbiased survey to reach the actual beneficiaries. While an officer needs to be non – partisan while implementing the policy, whether he is aligned with the ideology of the ruling party or not, he will have to implement the policies made by government with full energy and honesty making the best out of them.
(Note: You can site many other examples differentiating between the two.)
Conclude on a positive note saying that both are important spokes of the administration wheel to keep it moving in the right direction.
Best Answer: Abhishek Mishra
2. Why is it important for a civil servant to have compassion towards the weaker sections? Does his work get hampered in the case of lack of such virtue? Analyse.
Introduction:
Compassion definition: sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.
Body:
Importance of compassion:
- Weaker sections are not socio-economically empowered, moreover they are not aware of the entitlements available to them.
- It makes administration sensitive and responsive to the needs of every citizen, thus contributes to efficient service delivery.
- It will enhance public trust in the administration, do away with traditional public perception of bureaucracy i.e., arm chair bureaucracy. It will enhance public- state interface.
- It reflects democratic attitude of bureaucracy.
- It helps civil servants to earn the laurels of public. It enhances his confidence, gives sense of satisfaction, and energy to work harder
The lack Compassion in civil servant will hamper his efficiency to get work done in following ways:
1) He would not understand the needs of the marginalized and weaker section of society.
2) He could not take quick decision or responses.
3) He did not understand the value of affirmative action towards the weaker section.
4) If he is not compassionate, he may indulge in the corrupt practices which is again a black spot on the part of administration.
5) There will be also a lack of redressal mechanism which is a hurdle in the path of Good Governance.
Conclusion:
Write a brief conclusion.
Best answer: smily
A grievance redressal meeting scheduled exclusively for the differently abled at the first floor of the Collectorate. Which is not disabled-friendly. This example shows just one problem being faced by many weaker section.
Civil servants are expected to serve the society, to fulfill it’s aspirations and bring change to the life of millions by formulating and implementing policies.
‘COMPASSION’ is the key for relevant policies and their better implementation.
- Importance of Virtue of Compassion in civil servant :
It gives rise to active desire to alleviate the sufferings of others. - Brings transparency and accountability in administration .
- Helps in getting a better understanding of ground realities and grass root problems and hence helps in better policies.
- Mobilizing local people and resources for better and cheap solutions and ensures sustainability of projects.
- Helps in establishing mutual trust and coordination between society and administration.
a civil servant with virtues of compassion will make him help the needy and weaker sections of society even if he has to deal with external pressure.
But without virtue of compassion a civil servant will not be abled to perform his duty properly.
Eg in above case despite meeting being held only for the differently abled will defeat the very purpose .But a civil servant with compassion will reschedule it to a disabled friendly building and will actively participate in removing their grievances .
3. A civil servant must dedicate his energy towards the service of the people. Do you agree? Why a career in bureaucracy is called a service and not a job?
Introduction:
Write a brief introduction.
Body:
They have to invest all of their energies to fight against odds to bring out policies in favor of the needy. Here service is not just direct benefit to people, but also alternate benefits viz. better infrastructure, ensure standard living conditions, enhance skill development, etc. For this to happen, civil servant must invest energy – physically, mentally, and empathetically.
Physically – travel nook and corner of village/district to learn & analyze people’s problems.
Mentally – understanding the trauma or the hardships of the people on ground.
Empathetically – Stepping into other shoes and realizing how hard it is for a section of society to deal with problems. All forces put together will help a civil servant achieve his/her primary motto.
Difference between job and service.
- Job is for oneself, service is mostly for the sake of others.
- Job includes monetary returns in terms of wage, bonus etc. service may or may not have monetary entitlements.
- Job includes elements of career progression, but service does not, e.g. a person may serve food to homeless people, he will be doing it for his lifetime without any change is position and designation.
- In job a person’s role is prescribed by the organizational goals and objectives, service goes beyond the organizational goals
- In job one is answerable to the employer and the organization directly, in service one is answerable to self and the society at large.
Conclusion:
Write a brief conclusion.
Best answer: Mahi
In democracy civil servant have to work in government of the people, by the people and for the people. A civil servant have to play the role of both the administror and civil servant. .They must treat the citizen as their extended family.The decisions taken by the civil servant must be for the benefit of the public at large.His action or decision should not infringe the rights of the people. People satisfaction ultimately depends on the better implementation of programmes and government schemes. So the civil servant should understand the basic needs of the people by interacting with them .Therefore civil servant must not attracted towards the lavish life or influenced by the politics and dedicate his energy towards the service of people.
As a civil servant there is no duty hour rather he will be responsible and answerable for the any misshaping or default as part of his administration.
For example in police service there is twenty four hours service. If something happen at mid night the concerned officer have to take cognizance of the matter and solve the problem. He can’t say that he is off the duty. In job one has to work for a definite period of time and he will be resonsible for the things happened only during his course of Employment.
Secondly in job, ethical concept is less used but bureaucrats should be acquainted with the ethical concepts.
Thirdly in job you get instant reward for the work in form for promotion, bonus or words but in services especially in bureaucracy one can’t get frequent promotion or rewards or bonus .They (civil servants) might be ignored for the good works which is not there in job.
4. What is the significance of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC)? Why is it needed in India?
Bankruptcy is a legal status of a person or other entity that cannot repay the debts it owes to creditors.
Need of Bankruptcy code:
- Indian banking industry is in crisis as bad debts and NPAs are piling up.
- According to the RBI, stressed loans are amounting to almost Rs 10 trillion. Freeing up this money is crucial for Banking sector to thrive.
- There have been several laws for the insolvency of companies like the Sick Industrial Companies Act, the Recovery of Debt Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, and Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI) etc. But this multiplicity of laws has made it harder for the banks to recover their loans.
- It is difficult for the companies to wind up their business in case they are facing problems, which is very important in a competitive market.
- No fixed parameter till now for the companies to declare their bankruptcy.
Significance of Insolvency and Bankruptcy code:
- The new Bill seeks to consolidate all existing laws.
- It specifies a timeframe — 180 days after the process is initiated, plus a 90-day extension — for resolving insolvency.
- The new law will help the companies in step wise winding up of business.
- It will help banks to recover bad loans in timely manner and to predict NPAs.
- It will improve the ease of doing business in India and make it a better business destination.
- The credit capacity of banks will improve.
(Note: these are the very basic points. Other points can be added in both sections. The key is you can mention some points in necessity part and later, in significance part you can just suggest the solutions of the problems mentioned in the first part.)
Best Answer: Panther
5. What is paperless governance? Do you observe any progress in this direction in India? Examine.
Most of you have written a good answer for this question.
Paperless governance is basically taking the work of government to Digital mode rather than through paper and files. There are several benefits of going paperless –
- The work becomes easy, smooth and accountable.
- A process can be tracked and it becomes easier to ensure that the work is done on time.
- It becomes easier for the beneficiaries to cut through the red tapism and avail the benefits of the schemes and policies.
- All the ministries and departments are easily connected and cooperation can be ensured.
- The saved documents can be easily kept for ages without taking any physical space. It will be easier to search them as well.
- Lesser the paper is used, the better it is for the environment. It will also generate much lesser junk.
This list can be very long. You can include points according to the need of the question.
Second part of the question has also been nicely answered but most of you have started the answer with ‘Digital India’. You need to remember that process of digitization started with e – governance program. Its contribution cannot be neglected.
Some of the main initiatives and landmarks that can be mentioned are –
- digital locker, electoral reforms, online filling of income tax returns, IT forms, bills etc.
- online tenders
- Direct benefits transfer and PDS reforms.
- Online ticketing
- The latest one – Demonetisation.
- Andhra Government and Bihar government has taken strong steps towards paperless governance.
Conclude it on a positive note.
Best Answer: Sbt57
Governance can be broadly defined as a system by which a people in a defined territory are lawfully ruled.Paperless governance implies the high use of digital mode in governance.It includes all segments like G2G (Government to Government), G2C(Government to Citizen),G2B(Government to Business) and so on.Digital India initiative seeks to digitise government working.
There has been progress in this direction since 1980s like
1.Digitisation of railway reservation system
2.e-form filling for various examinations
3.e-tender system
4.e-Samiksha and PRAGATI initiative for direct interaction of PMO with state bureaucracy.
5.Digitising social security schemes like PDS,LPG subsidy,scholarship scheme,old age pension etc.This has been further augmented by Aadhar card.
6.To promote government-citizen communication MyGov initiatives and online grievance redressal system has been developed.
7.To promote Ease of doing business,e-filing of returns,e-biz portal and other initiatives have been taken.
All these efforts are intended to bridge the gap between state and the subject. However due to digital divide and digital illiteracy, paperless governance may take time to pick up. Besides, there should be focus on secured cyber space. Hence, while promoting paperless governance, Government should also empower citizens to harness its benefits.
