Discuss the concept of “Administrative ethics”. Is Performance appraisal a valid tool for achieving “ETHICS IN ADMINISTRATION”?

Answer: Approach:

• Elaborate upon the concept of Administrative Ethics
• Discuss the role of performance appraisal for bringing ethics in administration. Administrative ethics are considered as ‘a set of moral norms and requirements for those in public administration to aim their professional activity at attainment of common wealth and
  effective use of moral values’.
  Swami Ranganathananda says that many people holding power and authority, are spiritually weak and therefore indulge in violence, selfishness and corruption. A good administrator should imbibe the values of Rajarishi as enunciated in Bhagavad Gita. When a person
  combines power with spiritual inwardness, authority with sensitiveness to ethical & human values that person becomes Rajarishi.
  It is the primary responsibility of the State to promote an environment which supports high standard of conduct and moral values in society.
  This needs an all-encompassing approach, by imparting right kind of education to the children and youth in schools and colleges, by ensuring ethical conduct of persons working in public services including politicians and by creating an environment of honesty and trust for business and industry to thrive.
  Former Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari, while delivering a lecture on ‘Private Ethics and Public Morality’, said that the ethical behaviour emanates from generally accepted norms of personal and social ethics and finds reflection in ideals to which the State subscribes.
  The public services must set the example of high standard of conduct and ethical behaviour if the country is to make progress and develop. For this it is necessary that the State creates a suitable ethics infrastructure for public services to flourish and thrive.
  In order to enhance the ethical conduct in the administration, various tools including performance appraisal can be of good use:
  Appraisal based on following mechanisms can help achieving ethics in administration:
• Accountability and Responsibility – Fixed responsibility should be followed to ensure accountability of public services. This will avoid confusion as well as duplication of work.
• Maxim of co-ordination – All levels of hierarchical set-up of governmental organizations should work following the principle of coordination.
• Preventive vigilance – There should be surprise checks by the higher authorities to put a check on the civil servants so that they do not misuse their power or positions to meet their selfish ends. In addition, vigilance awareness programmes need to be mandatorily
  conducted.
• Rule of law – The rules and regulations should be equally followed by all citizens of our country including political executives, administrators, people and other higher officials. They should not be given too much VIP treatment/benefits out of way but should be regarded as a common man so they can understand the problems of a common man.
• Citizen charter – To ensure accountability, transparency and responsiveness in administration, proper implementation of Citizens’ Charter document should be mandatory.
• Public service delivery – The government should set minimum standards of delivery of public services to ensure quality and make them hassle-free. Periodic evaluation should be done on the performance and achievement of organizational goals.
  2nd ARC has also put immense importance to the personnel management tools like performance appraisals, trainings, etc. for bringing ethics in administration.

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