Indicate two more attributes which you consider important for public service. Justify your answer.

Introduction

Public service demands a unique blend of attributes to ensure effective governance, ethical decision-making, and public welfare. While qualities like integrity and impartiality are often emphasized, two additional attributes—empathy and accountability—are equally critical for a public servant to excel in their role.

Value Addition Block — Key Attributes of Public Service

Empathy: A Pillar of Citizen-Centric Governance

• Definition: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, enabling a public servant to connect with the challenges faced by citizens.
• Justification:
  • ★ Improves Policy Design: Empathy ensures that policies are inclusive and address the needs of marginalized sections. For instance, the Aspirational Districts Programme focuses on underdeveloped regions by understanding their unique challenges.
  • Enhances Public Trust: Citizens are more likely to trust officials who demonstrate genuine concern for their well-being, fostering better state-society relations.
  • Crisis Management: Empathy aids in handling sensitive situations like disaster relief or communal tensions. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, empathetic leadership by healthcare administrators ensured humane treatment of patients.
• Substantiation: Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of Sarvodaya (welfare of all) underscores the importance of empathy in public service.

Accountability: Ensuring Ethical and Transparent Governance

• Definition: Accountability refers to the obligation of public servants to answer for their actions and decisions, ensuring transparency and responsibility.
• Justification:
  • ★ Prevents Corruption: Accountability mechanisms like social audits and RTI Act, 2005 deter misuse of power and promote ethical conduct.
  • Improves Efficiency: When public servants are held accountable, they are more likely to deliver timely and effective services, as seen in the success of Mission Karmayogi.
  • Strengthens Democracy: Accountability fosters trust in democratic institutions by ensuring that public officials act in the best interest of the people.
• Substantiation: The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) highlights accountability as a cornerstone of good governance.

Way Forward

To institutionalize these attributes, public service training programs like LBSNAA modules should emphasize empathy-building exercises and accountability frameworks. Additionally, leveraging technology (e.g., e-governance) can enhance transparency and responsiveness.

Conclusion

Empathy and accountability are indispensable for public service as they ensure citizen-centric governance and uphold the ethical foundations of democracy. By fostering these attributes, public servants can truly embody the spirit of “Antyodaya”—uplifting the last person in the queue.