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NewsDecode | Polity and Governance | Mains Paper 2: Functions and Responsibilities of the Union and the States, Issues Arising from Implementation
For Students:
From a UPSC perspective, focus on:
Mains level: Ethics in public administration; Role of civil services; Constitutional values and secularism.
Prelims level: Functions and role of IAS, All India Services conduct rules, Constitutional provisions regarding secularism.
Why in the News?
An IAS officer in Kerala has been suspended over allegations of creating WhatsApp groups with communal undertones, which reportedly led to “communal formations and alignments” among the cadres. This incident raises critical questions about public conduct and ethics in administration and highlights the importance of secularism and neutrality in civil services.
Background:
Role of Civil Services: The All India Services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), function as impartial implementers of government policies and are responsible for maintaining administrative neutrality.
Conduct Rules: The All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, prohibit officers from activities that may harm the unity and integrity of India or show discrimination based on religion, caste, or community.
Secularism in the Constitution: Articles 25-28 guarantee freedom of religion, and the civil service is expected to embody the secular values of the Constitution, acting without bias towards any religious or communal group.
Key Issues Raised:
Secularism and Public Service:
Civil servants are expected to uphold secular values and work in a non-partisan manner. Their actions should promote unity and social harmony rather than cause division.
Such incidents underscore the need for sensitivity and awareness about the diversity and secular nature of the Indian state.
Ethics in Civil Service:
Civil servants must adhere to high ethical standards and avoid any behaviour that could be perceived as biased or divisive.
Ethical training and regular reinforcement of constitutional values are critical in ensuring civil servants’ conduct aligns with the principles of equality and non-discrimination.
Conduct Rules and Accountability:
This case highlights the importance of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules in governing personal conduct and behaviour of civil servants.
The incident serves as a reminder of the disciplinary mechanisms in place to address violations, promoting accountability within the civil service.
Social Media Conduct for Civil Servants:
The widespread use of social media has posed new challenges for maintaining neutrality and confidentiality in public service.
Guidelines for social media usage by civil servants emphasise caution and restraint to avoid any conduct that could harm the public’s perception of the government’s impartiality.
Implications for Governance:
Public Trust and Institutional Integrity: Trust in public institutions is paramount. Incidents that bring partisanship or communal bias into public discourse may erode confidence in governance systems.
Training and Sensitization: Strengthening civil services’ orientation towards ethical and secular principles through regular training and sensitization programs is crucial.
Policy on Social Media Use: The government might consider enhancing guidelines on the conduct of civil servants on social media to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Way Forward:
Strengthening Ethical Training: Regular sessions focused on the Constitutional values of secularism and unity can reinforce these ideals among civil servants.
Clear Guidelines on Social Media Use: Establish more robust policies on the use of social media by government officials to maintain neutrality.
Strict Adherence to Conduct Rules: Enforcement of conduct rules must be rigorous to ensure accountability and integrity within civil services.
Mains PYQ:
Q. What are the ethical challenges that confront civil servants in contemporary times? Suggest measures to improve ethics in public administration. (UPSC GS Paper 4, 2021)
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