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Q1. Using recent examples, explain how impartiality and nonpartisanship are valuable assets in public service. (150 Words 10 Marks).
Answer:
The Second Administrative Reform Commission upheld impartiality and non-partisanship as core values of public services. They enable public servants to carry out their duties and meet the needs of the public to the best of their abilities. As a result, both are valuable assets for government employees.
Impartiality
Impartiality is a principle of justice holding that decisions should be based on facts and evidence, being free of bias, judgements, prejudices, considerations for gain etc. Example: While recruiting future officers UPSC adopts an impartial principle to maintain bias free & a transparent recruitment mechanism.
It is a valuable asset in public services because:
- It not only acts as a deterrent to corruption but also makes the public sector predictable and dependable.
- It contributes to the preservation of constitutional values because the principle is consistent with Articles 14 and 15. Ex. Recently Ira Singhal IAS recruited 02 Transgender in her office.
- It maintains the civil servant’s morale, and with a sense of righteousness, the work is completed efficiently. Ex: E Sridharan for his timely Completion of Delhi Metro.
- It promotes a positive work culture by levelling the playing field for all employees and inspiring them to work hard in the public interest. Ex. TN Sheshan
- It holds public officials accountable to the law by preventing nepotism, political-corporate collusion, and corruption. Ex. Ashok Khemka didn’t allow the DLF land deal.
- It promotes meritocracy in administration.
- It promotes objectivity and keeps personal biases out of decision-making.
Non-partisanship
Non-partisanship in public service refers to civil servants’ ability to remain politically neutral, i.e., their lack of bias toward any political party or political ideology. This value has also been identified as a core value of public services by the OECD.
It is a valuable asset because :
- For policy formulation and implementation, the political executives rely on the permanent executives, who guide them with their expertise and knowledge.
- It ensures loyalty to the current government. In other words, it binds public servants to their roles in shaping and implementing programmes and policies.
- It ensures intellectual integrity in public services by allowing public servants to make decisions, choices, and recommendations solely on merit.
- This will increase citizens’ trust in the administration. Ex. Prashant Nair, IAS DM of Kozhikode started “Compassionate Kozhikode”.
- It ensures that administrative values are rooted in the constitution rather than political party ideology and philosophy. Ex. D Roopa IPS complained about the special treatment to AIADMK’s Sasikala.
- It ensures that decisions are made without regard for what is going on in the political sphere.
Ex. Neutral Bureaucracy as envisaged by Max Weber
- It also implies, in general, not siding with any group or faction and making decisions based on the merits of the case rather than identities, prejudices, and personal beliefs.
Non-partisanship is essential for maintaining compatibility and avoiding conflicts between the bureaucracy and political leadership. This has been demonstrated time and again by civil servants of exemplary statutes such as T.N. Seshan, Vinod Rai, and others who have brought about various changes in India’s election and auditing systems.
