Q. How do codes of conduct, codes of ethics and citizen’s charters interrelate and contribute to promote accountability and ethical behavior in public administration?
Ans: In public administration, codes of conduct, codes of ethics, and citizen’s charters serve as complementary instruments to foster accountability, transparency, and ethical governance. Together, they form a normative framework that guides both the behavior of civil servants and the expectations of citizens.
Interrelationship and Contribution
- Code of Ethics:
- Provides a moral compass rooted in values like integrity, impartiality, and public service.
- Encourages ethical reasoning in complex situations beyond legal compliance.
- Shapes the attitudinal orientation of civil servants toward fairness and justice.
- Code of Conduct:
- Translates ethical principles into specific behavioral norms—the “do’s and don’ts” of service.
- Regulates day-to-day administrative actions, such as conflict of interest, gift acceptance, and neutrality.
- Ensures disciplinary accountability through enforceable rules.
- Citizen’s Charter:
- Acts as a social contract between the administration and the public.
- Specifies service standards, timelines, and grievance redress mechanisms.
- Empowers citizens to hold officials accountable for service delivery.
Collective Impact on Public Administration
- Promote ethical decision-making and reduce arbitrariness.
- Enhance citizen trust through transparency and responsiveness.
- Create a culture of performance and integrity in governance.
- Enable institutional checks and participatory oversight.
In conclusion, these instruments interlock to build a value-driven administrative ecosystem, where ethical behavior is institutionalized and accountability becomes a shared responsibility between the State and its citizens.
Read: OPSC Notes