What do you understand by 'probity' in public life? What are the difficulties in practicing it in the present times? How can these difficulties be overcome?

Understanding Probity in Public Life

Probity in public life isn’t simply the absence of corruption; it’s a positive affirmation of ethical conduct. It demands transparency, accountability, and a commitment to fairness in all dealings. It requires public servants to prioritize public interest over personal gain, and to act with impartiality and objectivity. The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2008) emphasized the need for a ‘probity-in-governance’ regime to restore public faith in institutions.

Difficulties in Practicing Probity in Present Times

Several factors impede the practice of probity in contemporary India:

• Political Interference: Excessive political interference in bureaucratic decision-making often compromises objectivity and encourages unethical practices.
• Weak Enforcement Mechanisms: Despite the existence of institutions like the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Lokpal, enforcement remains weak due to delays in investigations and prosecutions.
• Lack of Transparency: Limited access to information and opaque processes create opportunities for corruption and unethical behavior. The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, has improved transparency, but its implementation faces challenges.
• Social Acceptance of Corruption: A degree of social tolerance towards corruption normalizes unethical behavior and reduces the pressure on public servants to act with integrity.
• Economic Pressures: Rising consumerism and economic inequalities can create incentives for corruption, particularly among those in positions of power.
• Criminalization of Politics: The presence of individuals with criminal backgrounds in politics undermines ethical standards and fosters a culture of impunity. According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, 23% of elected MPs had criminal cases pending against them.

Overcoming the Difficulties

Addressing these challenges requires a multi-pronged approach:

• Strengthening Institutional Mechanisms: Empowering the CVC and Lokpal with greater autonomy and resources is crucial. Fast-tracking investigations and ensuring swift prosecution of corrupt officials are essential.
• Promoting Transparency and Accountability: Expanding the scope of the RTI Act and ensuring its effective implementation can enhance transparency. Digital governance initiatives like ‘Digital India’ can also promote transparency by reducing human interface.
• Enhancing Ethical Education and Training: Incorporating ethics and integrity into the curriculum of civil service training programs is vital. Continuous professional development programs can reinforce ethical values.
• Promoting a Culture of Integrity: Raising public awareness about the importance of probity and encouraging citizens to report corruption can create a social environment that discourages unethical behavior.
• Reforms in Electoral System: Addressing the criminalization of politics through electoral reforms, such as disqualifying individuals with serious criminal charges from contesting elections, is necessary.
• Whistleblower Protection: Strengthening the Whistleblower Protection Act, 2014, to provide adequate protection to individuals who report corruption is crucial.

Example: The ‘e-governance’ initiatives undertaken by Andhra Pradesh, such as ‘Meebhoomi’ (land records online) and ‘Sakshi’ (social audit), have significantly reduced corruption and improved transparency in land administration and public service delivery.