Licchavi Lyceum

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Licchavi Lyceum

How do codes of conduct, codes of ethics and citizen’s charters interrelate and contribute to promote accountability and ethical behavior in public administration?

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