Public officials misusing power for personal gain undermines the credibility of state institutions. Evaluate how regulatory coercion affects citizen trust. Suggest administrative measures to restore integrity.
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability
Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability
Q3. Public officials misusing power for personal gain undermines the credibility of state institutions. Evaluate how regulatory coercion affects citizen trust. Suggest administrative measures to restore integrity. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: IE
Why the question: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday evening arrested Indian Revenue Services (IRS) officer Dr Amit Kumar Singal IRS 2007 (Indirect taxes & customs), from his residence in Delhi for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 45 lakh through an associate to settle an Income Tax notice. Key Demand of the question: To examine how coercive conduct by public officials damages public trust in governance and to propose concrete administrative measures to restore integrity in public service. Structure of the Answer: Introduction Highlight how coercion by regulators distorts the citizen-state relationship and undermines constitutional values. Body Effect of regulatory coercion on citizen trust: Show how misuse of power erodes compliance, democratic engagement, and institutional legitimacy. Administrative measures to restore integrity: Suggest systemic reforms like transparency tools, ethics codes, rotation policies, and grievance redressal. Conclusion Reinforce that governance must be built on ethics and institutional trust, not fear or discretion.
Why the question: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday evening arrested Indian Revenue Services (IRS) officer Dr Amit Kumar Singal IRS 2007 (Indirect taxes & customs), from his residence in Delhi for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 45 lakh through an associate to settle an Income Tax notice.
Key Demand of the question: To examine how coercive conduct by public officials damages public trust in governance and to propose concrete administrative measures to restore integrity in public service.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction Highlight how coercion by regulators distorts the citizen-state relationship and undermines constitutional values.
• Effect of regulatory coercion on citizen trust: Show how misuse of power erodes compliance, democratic engagement, and institutional legitimacy.
• Administrative measures to restore integrity: Suggest systemic reforms like transparency tools, ethics codes, rotation policies, and grievance redressal.
Conclusion Reinforce that governance must be built on ethics and institutional trust, not fear or discretion.