Importance of Integrity in Civil Service
- Integrity is most essential to counter the evil of corruption in public administration
- It ensures sincerity towards one’s job
- The actions of public servants have a direct bearing on the character of the community
- Causes for decline of integrity in civil services:
- Colonial attitude of administration – indifferent, sense of superiority
- Low salaries compared to private sector jobs + rising inflation
- Liberalization has further empowered bureaucracy = more scope for corruption
- Lack of public opinion against corruption
- Inadequate laws + lethargic judiciary
- Misuse of legal protection to civil servants. Eg. Article 311, CAT etc
- Pressure Groups have emerged as a breeding ground for corruption by seeking favours for their respective communities
- How to improve integrity:
- Make conditions of civil service attractive. Eg. Performance based bonus etc
- Simplification of complex working procedures = to ensure transparency and better compliance by less informed citizens. Eg e-tax filing.
- Independent + Powerful Ombudsman to attend public grievances
Stringent laws + swift conviction = restore citizen’s faith in public services