Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

The statement "Tolerance without compassion can lead to indifference" underscores a critical aspect of human interaction, particularly in the context of civil servants' responsibilities towards weaker sections of society.

• While tolerance is essential for fostering a harmonious and inclusive society, it is insufficient without the accompanying quality of compassion

Body

Role of Civil Servants Towards Weaker Sections of Society:

• Policy Implementation: Civil servants are responsible for executing welfare programs like MGNREGA, which guarantees 100 days of wage employment to rural households.
• Enforcement of Rights: They must ensure the enforcement of laws protecting marginalized groups, such as the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which seeks to protect children in difficult circumstances.
• Resource Allocation: Civil servants are tasked with fair distribution of resources, such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), which aims to provide affordable housing to the poor section.
  • In this program, civil servants work to ensure that the most vulnerable communities receive housing benefits.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: They must monitor the effectiveness of government programs. For example, in the National Health Mission and especially Ayushman Bharat Yojana, civil servants assess healthcare delivery to ensure that marginalized groups, like tribal populations, have access to essential health services.

Importance of Compassion in Governance:

• Empathy in Decision-Making: Compassionate civil servants consider socio-economic conditions. For instance, during the Covid-19 lockdown, many state officials initiated relief measures, such as food distribution to migrant workers stranded in cities, demonstrating empathy beyond mere tolerance of their struggles.
• Engaging with Communities: They actively involve communities in decision-making. For example, the participatory approach in the Swachh Bharat Mission engaged local communities to identify sanitation needs, ensuring that the programs address specific local challenges.
• Addressing Specific Needs: Compassion enables civil servants to tailor programs for marginalized groups. For instance, the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme focuses on improving the sex ratio and promoting education for girls, addressing gender-specific challenges faced by families in rural areas.
• Fostering Inclusivity: Compassionate governance promotes inclusivity, as seen in the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, where civil servants worked with disability rights activists to ensure provisions for accessibility and equal opportunities.
• Promoting Dignity: By treating weaker sections with respect, civil servants foster dignity. For example, during the implementation of the midday meal scheme, officials ensured that all children, regardless of caste or background, received meals, promoting a sense of community and belonging.

Consequences of Indifference

• Worsening Inequalities: Indifference can exacerbate existing inequalities. For example, if civil servants overlook the plight of marginalized farmers during a drought, the lack of intervention can lead to increased poverty and farmer suicides.
• Decreased Participation: When marginalized communities feel ignored, their engagement diminishes. For instance, the low turnout of marginalized communities in elections often stems from feelings of disenfranchisement and neglect by civil servants.
• Social Unrest: Indifference can lead to social unrest, as seen in the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), where marginalized groups felt targeted and ignored by the government, leading to widespread protests across the country.
• Failure of Programs: Without compassion, welfare programs may fail. The National Food Security Act faced challenges in implementation due to bureaucratic indifference, leading to instances where eligible families did not receive their entitlements, further entrenching hunger and poverty.

Promoting Compassionate Governance

• Sensitivity Training: Implement training programs focused on social issues as a part of Mission Karmayogi.
• Community Engagement Initiatives: Develop mandatory platforms for dialogue, such as the ‘Jan Sunwai’ (public hearings) where citizens can present their grievances directly to civil servants, fostering responsiveness. These initiatives have helped resolve local issues effectively.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Establish feedback systems allowing marginalized groups to voice concerns. The 'Grievance Redressal Mechanism' under the National Rural Livelihood Mission enables beneficiaries to report issues directly to officials, promoting accountability.
• Collaborative Partnerships: Encourage partnerships with NGOs. For example, the collaboration between the government and organizations like Goonj helps facilitate the distribution of resources to marginalized communities, leveraging local insights for effective implementation.

Conclusion

Tolerance without compassion is an insufficient foundation for effective governance and social justice. Civil servants must not only accept diversity but also actively seek to understand and address the needs of marginalized groups. By fostering a culture of compassion and empathy, civil servants can help to create a more equitable and inclusive society for all.