Values are the standards on which, we evaluate things. For every situation we don’t have time to ‘test’ the case on ethics theories such as utilitarianism. Values provide time saving short-cut in such situation.
Under New public management (NPM), the concept of public services is fast changing. Bureaucrat has become directly accountable to citizen-customer. He has to respond to moral universe of the citizens. He has discretionary powers, therefore he must be provided with guiding principles to prevent abuse of power. The foundational values provide these guiding principles.
Some important foundational values for civil services are as follows:
Neutrality is the tendency of not to side in a conflict (physical or ideological), which may not suggest neutral parties do not have a side or are not a side themselves. In colloquial use neutral can be synonymous with unbiased. However, bias is a favoritism for some side,distinct of the tendency to act on that favoritism. Neutrality is distinct (though not exclusive) from apathy, ignorance, indifference, doublethink, Equality, agreement, and Objectivity. Objectivity suggests siding with the more reasonable position (except journalistic objectivity), where reasonableness is judged by some common basis between the sides, such as logic (thereby avoiding the problem of incommensurability). Neutrality implies Tolerance regardless of how disagreeable, deplorable, or unusual a perspective might be.Advocating neutrality is non-neutral.
Sardar Patel had made the following observations in the Constituent Assembly to support the continuance of the pre-independence civil service structure:
“It needs hardly to be emphasized that an effi cient, discipline and contended civil service assured of its prospects as a result of diligent and honest work, is a sine-quanon of Sound administration under democratic regime even more than under an authoritarian rule. Th e service must be above party and we should ensure that political considerations, either in its recruitment or in its discipline and control, are reduced to the minimum if not eliminated altogether.”
Unfortunately, this vision of civil service neutrality no longer holds good. Changes in governments particularly at the state level often lead to wholesale transfer of civil servants. Political neutrality is no longer the accepted norm with many civil servants getting identifi ed, rightly or wrongly, with a particular political dispensation. Th ere is a perception that offi cers have to cultivate and seek patronage from politicians for obtaining suitable positions even in the Union Government. As a result, the civil services in public perception are often seen as increasingly politicized.
As observed by Paul Appleby civil servants should not confuse ‘political neutrality’ with ‘programme neutrality’. At the stage of policy formulation, the role of civil servants is to render free and frank advice which should not be coloured by any political considerations. Once a policy or programme has been approved by the elected government, it is the duty of the civil servant to faithfully and enthusiastically see to its implementation. Not carrying out this task in the right spirit would amount to misconduct inviting appropriate sanctions.
Anonymity
The anonymity of the civil service is linked to two concepts: permanence and neutrality. Civil servants, many of whom remain in their jobs whilst serving numerous governments, are thus likely to have to give advice to governments of different Political Parties, who may have different attitudes to policy. The advice they give needs to be given to ministers both freely and also without fear of adverse public or political reactions and without fear of future career damage. This is tied into the concept of ministerial responsibility, whereby the convention is for the minister to accept responsibility for their actions and decisions and those of their departments.
Commitment and dedication to public service
Dedication means quality of involving oneself completely or applying one’s attention, time to a particular activity, cause or a person. Dedication in public service is required as civil servants in India, a developing country need to perform the regular administrative and also play an important role in socio-Economic Development of the nation. In carrying out these activities he may be faced with several obstructions like social opposition against any programme which is against their deep rooted belief, lack of support from political executive. Schemes for promoting family planning are generally opposed in rural as they consider contraceptives as taboos here dedication is required to fulfil the goal of healthy Society. One’s employees and superiors may be involved in Corruption. These obstacles can only be overcome when one has perseverance and dedication.
Integrity
Integrity is the fundamental moral concept in civil services. It is an important basis of ethical behaviour and ethical competency. It is associated with the value of being honest and maintain strong moral principles. Integrity includes financial integrity, professional integrity and intellectual integrity. Ethics and integrity are closely related. An ethical person having strong moral values is bound to be a man of integrity. Those people who have experience of working in the government know that integrity is evaluated every year through their Annual Performance Report. The assessment takes place on the basis of decisions/performance of the individual Civil Servants throughout the year. In conducting interview for testing Personality of the candidates, the board carefully observes the approach of the answer of individual candidate while assessing their integrity. In written examination, the examiner will obviously look into moral stand of the candidates especially on issues and conflicts faced by them while dealing with various glitches.
,
Foundational Values for Civil Services
Civil servants are the backbone of any government. They are the ones who carry out the policies and programs that are designed to improve the lives of citizens. In order to be effective, civil servants must uphold certain values. These values are essential for ensuring that the government is accountable to the people, that it is fair and impartial, and that it is efficient and effective.
The following are some of the most important foundational values for civil services:
Accountability
Civil servants must be accountable to the people they serve. This means that they must be transparent in their decision-making and be willing to answer for their actions. They must also be willing to take responsibility for their mistakes.
Authenticity
Civil servants must be authentic in their interactions with the public. This means that they must be honest and transparent, and that they must act in accordance with their values. They must also be willing to admit when they are wrong.
Commitment
Civil servants must be committed to their work. This means that they must be dedicated to serving the public and to making a difference in the world. They must also be willing to put in the long hours and hard work that is necessary to be successful.
Civil servants must be effective communicators. This means that they must be able to communicate clearly and concisely, both in writing and in person. They must also be able to listen to and understand the needs of the public.
Creativity
Civil servants must be creative in their problem-solving. This means that they must be able to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems. They must also be willing to take risks and try new things.
Decision-making
Civil servants must be able to make sound decisions. This means that they must be able to gather and analyze information, weigh the pros and cons of different Options, and make the best decision possible. They must also be able to take responsibility for their decisions.
Diversity
Civil services must be diverse in order to reflect the diversity of the Population they serve. This means that they must employ people from different backgrounds and with different perspectives. This diversity can help to ensure that the government is responsive to the needs of all citizens.
Ethics
Civil servants must act ethically in all of their dealings. This means that they must be honest, fair, and impartial. They must also avoid conflicts of interest and must always put the public interest first.
Integrity
Civil servants must have integrity. This means that they must be honest and trustworthy. They must also be willing to stand up for what they believe in, even when it is unpopular.
Civil servants must be leaders. This means that they must be able to motivate and inspire others. They must also be able to build consensus and get things done.
Problem-solving
Civil servants must be able to solve problems. This means that they must be able to identify problems, gather information, develop solutions, and implement those solutions. They must also be able to learn from their mistakes.
Professionalism
Civil servants must be professional in their conduct. This means that they must dress and act appropriately, and that they must always be respectful of others. They must also be able to maintain confidentiality.
Respect
Civil servants must respect the public they serve. This means that they must treat everyone with courtesy and dignity, regardless of their background or beliefs. They must also be willing to listen to the public and to take their concerns seriously.
Teamwork
Civil servants must be able to work effectively as part of a team. This means that they must be able to communicate and collaborate with others. They must also be willing to put the team’s needs above their own.
Transparency
Civil servants must be transparent in their dealings. This means that they must be open and honest with the public. They must also be willing to share information and to explain their decisions.
Work ethic
Civil servants must have a strong work ethic. This means that they must be dedicated to their work and that they are willing to put in the effort necessary to be successful. They must also be reliable and dependable.
These are just some of the most important foundational values for civil services. By upholding these values, civil servants can help to ensure that the government is accountable to the people, that it is fair and impartial, and that it is efficient and effective.
What are the foundational values for civil services?
The foundational values for civil services are:
Integrity: Civil servants must be honest and ethical in their dealings with the public.
Professionalism: Civil servants must be competent and dedicated to their work.
Accountability: Civil servants must be responsible for their actions and be willing to be held accountable to the public.
Responsiveness: Civil servants must be responsive to the needs of the public and be willing to work to improve the lives of citizens.
Transparency: Civil servants must be open and transparent in their dealings with the public.
Fairness: Civil servants must treat all people fairly and without prejudice.
Respect: Civil servants must respect the rights and dignity of all people.
Diversity and inclusion: Civil servants must value and respect diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Collaboration and teamwork: Civil servants must be able to work collaboratively and effectively with others.
Innovation and creativity: Civil servants must be innovative and creative in their approach to problem-solving.
Continuous Learning and improvement: Civil servants must be committed to continuous learning and improvement.
What are the benefits of having a strong civil service?
A strong civil service can provide a number of benefits, including:
Efficiency and effectiveness: A well-functioning civil service can help to ensure that government services are delivered efficiently and effectively.
Responsiveness to the needs of the public: A strong civil service can be responsive to the needs of the public and help to improve the lives of citizens.
Accountability to the public: A well-functioning civil service can be accountable to the public and help to ensure that government is transparent and open.
Fairness and equality: A strong civil service can help to ensure that government services are delivered fairly and equally to all citizens.
Rule of Law: A well-functioning civil service can help to uphold the rule of law and ensure that government is accountable to the law.
Stability and security: A strong civil service can help to promote stability and security in society.
What are the challenges facing civil services today?
Civil services around the world are facing a number of challenges, including:
Budget cuts: Many governments are facing budget cuts, which are putting pressure on civil services.
Technological change: Technological change is transforming the way that government services are delivered, which is creating challenges for civil services.
Globalization/”>Globalization-3/”>Globalization: Globalization is creating new challenges for civil services, such as the need to manage international trade and Investment.
Public expectations: Public expectations of government services are rising, which is putting pressure on civil services to deliver more and better services.
Corruption: Corruption is a major challenge facing civil services around the world.
Political instability: Political instability can make it difficult for civil services to function effectively.
What are some of the best practices for improving civil services?
Some of the best practices for improving civil services include:
Investing in human Resources: Investing in the human resources of a civil service is essential for ensuring that it is effective and efficient. This includes recruiting and retaining qualified staff, providing Training and Development opportunities, and creating a positive work Environment.
Modernizing operations: Civil services need to modernize their operations in order to keep up with the latest technologies and practices. This includes using new technologies to deliver services more efficiently, and adopting new management practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Strengthening accountability: Civil services need to be accountable to the public in order to ensure that they are responsive to the needs of citizens. This includes establishing clear lines of accountability, making information about government services more transparent, and providing opportunities for citizens to participate in decision-making.
Promoting innovation: Civil services need to be innovative in order to meet the challenges of the 21st century. This includes encouraging staff to come up with new ideas, providing funding for pilot projects, and creating a culture of innovation.
Building partnerships: Civil services need to build partnerships with other government agencies, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations in order to deliver services more effectively. This includes working together to identify and address common problems, and sharing resources and expertise.
The foundational values for civil services are:
(A) Honesty, integrity, and objectivity (B) Devotion to duty, commitment to public service, and accountability (C) Respect for the rule of law, responsiveness to public needs, and Transparency and Accountability (D) All of the above
The foundational values for civil services are important because they:
(A) Promote Good Governance and public trust (B) Ensure that civil servants are impartial and objective in their decision-making (C) Help to create a more just and equitable society (D) All of the above
A civil servant who is honest and has integrity will:
(A) Always tell the truth, even when it is difficult (B) Do what is right, even when it is unpopular (C) Be fair and impartial in their decision-making (D) All of the above
A civil servant who is devoted to duty will:
(A) Put the needs of the public first (B) Be willing to work long hours and make sacrifices (C) Be committed to public service (D) All of the above
A civil servant who is accountable will:
(A) Be responsible for their actions (B) Be willing to be held to account for their decisions (C) Be transparent in their decision-making (D) All of the above
A civil servant who respects the rule of law will:
(A) Uphold the law, even when it is inconvenient (B) Obey the orders of their superiors, even when they disagree with them (C) Be fair and impartial in their decision-making (D) All of the above
A civil servant who is responsive to public needs will:
(A) Be aware of the needs of the public (B) Be willing to listen to the public (C) Take action to address the needs of the public (D) All of the above
A civil servant who is transparent and accountable will:
(A) Be open and honest in their dealings with the public (B) Be willing to explain their decisions (C) Be willing to be held to account for their actions (D) All of the above
The foundational values for civil services are essential for a well-functioning Democracy. Without these values, civil servants would be free to act in their own self-interest, rather than in the best interests of the public.
The foundational values for civil services are also important for the protection of Human Rights. Civil servants who are honest, impartial, and accountable are less likely to abuse their power or violate the rights of citizens.