Day 33 – Q. 2 How do foundational values compare and contrast with other values that may be relevant to the Civil Service, such as accountability, transparency, and public service? Explain.

How do foundational values compare and contrast with other values that may be relevant to the Civil Service, such as accountability, transparency, and public service? Explain.

बुनियादी मूल्यों की तुलना अन्य मूल्यों से कैसे की जाती है जो सिविल सेवा के लिए प्रासंगिक हो सकते हैं, जैसे जवाबदेही, पारदर्शिता और सार्वजनिक सेवा? समझाएं।

Approach –

In this question candidates need to write about what are foundational values in second part  compare and contrast with other values such as accountability and public service  which are relevant for civil services .

Introduction-

Civil services are an integral part of Indian democracy and considered as “Steel Frame” of governance. They play a great role in societal development as they have the responsibilities of both decision making and policy implementation. There are some foundational values which are must for better administration

Body –

As per the Second Administrative Reforms Commission, the foundational values of the service are,

• Integrity
• Objectivity
• Impartiality
• Dedication to public service
• Compassion towards weaker sections.
• They are Foundational because:

Impartiality and non-partisanship:

• It decides on merit and is free from any partisan consideration. Further, a non-partisan civil service is also responsible to the Constitution of the land to which they have taken an oath of loyalty.

Integrity:

• Basically integrity approach empowers an individual to make a value judgment about right or wrong. It is a value-driven instead of rule-driven. One has to learn how to deal with challenges and dilemmas.

Impartiality:

• Impartiality implies that the behavior and treatment by a bureaucrat to any individual or entity has to be exclusively based on merit. To make fair, just, equitable effective and efficient decisions, there has to be absolute impartiality.

Non Partisanship:

• Non-partisanship infers that the officer is to do his task without any fear of, or favor to any political party. The values of the administrator will flow from the constitution, not from the philosophy of any political party. Non-partisanship strengthens the democratic procedures and institutions along with maintaining the integrity of the service.

Objectivity:

• Objectivity is founding advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence. It entails that truth remains true universally, independently of human thought or approaches. An objective approach is particularly important in decision-making processes.

Comparison and contrast between foundational values and other public service values –

Foundational values –

• These are end-oriented values concerned with the goals which civil servants should aim to achieve while performing their duties. They relate to the end product, and may best be visualized as those covered by Directive Principles of State Policy, Fundamental Rights etc.
• These values are intrinsic values and they come from within .
• These foundational values ensure an effective civil service which functions honestly, impartially and efficiently.
• These values empower the administrator to fill the gaps of trust deficit between the citizens and the Government.
• These values provide lawfulness to the behavior of an administrator and make it more effective.
• Since civil servants have discretionary powers the values are important to give them certain guidance to prevent abuse of power.

Civil service values –

• These are means-oriented values concerned with the ways in which civil servants behave or act while performing their duty. They relate to the means and include such values as transparency, responsiveness, efficiency etc.
• These values are enforced by legal and institutional measures .
• Allegiance to the various ideals enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution.
• Apolitical functioning, duty to act objectively and impartially.
• Good governance for betterment of the people to be the primary goal of civil service.
• Accountability and transparency in decision-making.
• Maintenance of highest ethical standards.
• Merit to be the criteria in selection of civil servants consistent, however, with the cultural, ethnic and other diversities of the nation.
• Ensuring economy and avoidance of wastage in expenditure.
• Provision of healthy and congenial work environment.

Conclusion-

The civil servants have to abide by a common set of values which can cater to larger interests of society at large and to achieve social, political and economic justice and contribute towards good governance, rule of law and improving the citizen’s trust in the government.