Be Mains Ready

Approach

• Briefly mention what is public service.
• Write in brief about the need of principles in public service.
• Enumerate the seven principles of public service.
• Conclude with importance of few other principles desirable in a public service.

Introduction

Public service is a service which is provided by the government to people, either directly (through the public sector) or by financing private provision of services. Citizens expect public servants to serve the public interest with fairness and to manage public resources properly.

Body

• It can be said that Public service is a public trust. To uphold this trust and avoid the misuse of public offices, most advanced countries have prescribed a Code of Ethics for public servants.
• There are seven basic principles given by Nolan, in his famous report of Committee of standards of Public life in Britain and it is universally applicable for holders of public office.

The Seven Principles

The Nolan committee promotes Seven Principles of Public Life that serve as a guide for civil servants-

• Selflessness: Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.
• Integrity: Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
• Objectivity: In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
• Accountability: Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
• Openness: Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
• Honesty: Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
• Leadership: Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

Conclusion

Apart from these essential principles given by the Nolan committee, many values like Impartiality, Transparency, Courage of conviction, Probity, Accountability, Empathy towards weaker sections etc. are expected from a public servant as well. Moreover, in the era of rapid transformation in society, more needs to be done to promote and reinforce standards of conduct in public bodies, in particular through guidance and training, including induction training.