Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Administrative values, encompassing integrity, accountability, transparency, and responsiveness, form the ethical bedrock of any effective public administration system. These values are not merely abstract ideals but are crucial for building public trust and ensuring good governance. However, their mere articulation is insufficient. The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2008) emphasized the need for a ‘value-driven’ administration. The statement “Administrative values have no value unless they are valued by all stakeholders of the governance system” highlights a critical truth: the success of these values hinges on their acceptance and internalization by all those involved – citizens, civil servants, political executives, and other relevant organizations.
Understanding Administrative Values
Administrative values are the guiding principles that shape the conduct of public servants and the functioning of government. They are the moral compass for decision-making and action. Key administrative values include:
- Integrity: Honesty, trustworthiness, and adherence to ethical principles.
- Accountability: Being answerable for one’s actions and decisions.
- Transparency: Openness and accessibility of information.
- Responsiveness: Being attentive and reactive to the needs and concerns of citizens.
- Efficiency & Effectiveness: Utilizing resources optimally to achieve desired outcomes.
- Rule of Law: Adherence to established laws and regulations.
The Significance of Stakeholder Valuation
Stakeholders in the governance system are all those who are affected by, or can affect, the achievement of its objectives. These include citizens, civil servants at all levels, political executives, NGOs, media, and even private sector entities. For administrative values to be truly effective, they must be internalized by all these stakeholders. Without this shared valuation, several negative consequences can arise:
- Lack of Public Trust: If citizens perceive that administrative values are not being upheld, trust in government erodes.
- Resistance to Reforms: Civil servants who do not believe in the values may resist reforms aimed at promoting them.
- Corruption and Inefficiency: A lack of integrity and accountability can lead to corruption and inefficient service delivery.
- Policy Implementation Failures: Policies based on sound values may fail if stakeholders do not support their implementation.
Illustrative Examples
Several examples demonstrate the importance of stakeholder valuation:
- Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005: The success of the RTI Act depends not only on the legal framework but also on the willingness of public information officers (PIOs) to proactively disclose information and citizens to utilize the Act effectively. Resistance from PIOs, often stemming from a lack of valuing transparency, can hinder its implementation.
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (2014): While a national campaign, the success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan relies heavily on citizen participation and a change in societal norms regarding sanitation. Without valuing cleanliness and hygiene, the campaign’s impact is limited.
- Aadhaar Enabled Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): The effectiveness of DBT in reducing leakages and ensuring benefits reach intended recipients depends on the acceptance and cooperation of banks, post offices, and citizens. Concerns regarding privacy and data security can undermine stakeholder valuation.
Fostering Stakeholder Valuation
Several strategies can be employed to foster stakeholder valuation of administrative values:
- Ethics Training: Comprehensive ethics training for civil servants at all levels, focusing on practical application of values.
- Citizen Engagement: Actively involving citizens in policy-making and implementation processes through participatory governance mechanisms.
- Transparency and Access to Information: Promoting transparency through proactive disclosure of information and strengthening the RTI mechanism.
- Accountability Mechanisms: Establishing robust accountability mechanisms, including independent oversight bodies and grievance redressal systems.
- Leadership by Example: Political executives and senior civil servants must demonstrate a strong commitment to administrative values.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Raising public awareness about the importance of administrative values and their role in good governance.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite efforts to promote administrative values, several challenges remain. These include:
- Political Interference: Political interference can undermine the independence and integrity of civil servants.
- Bureaucratic Inertia: Resistance to change and a lack of innovation can hinder the adoption of new values.
- Corruption: Deep-rooted corruption can erode public trust and undermine administrative values.
- Capacity Constraints: Lack of adequate resources and training can limit the ability of civil servants to uphold administrative values.
Conclusion
In conclusion, administrative values are not self-executing; their efficacy is intrinsically linked to their acceptance and internalization by all stakeholders within the governance system. A value-driven administration requires a concerted effort to foster a culture of integrity, accountability, transparency, and responsiveness. Investing in ethics training, promoting citizen engagement, and strengthening accountability mechanisms are crucial steps towards achieving this goal. Ultimately, good governance is not merely about enacting laws and policies, but about ensuring that these are implemented with a strong ethical foundation and a shared commitment to public service.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.