1. Conflict of interest in the public sector arises when
(a) official duties,
(b) public interest, and
(c) personal interest
are taking priority one above the other.
How can this conflict in administration be resolved? Describe with an example.
(150 Words)
Ans. Conflict of interest is a situation in which the public official's private interest can improperly influence the performance of his official duties. Many public servants or private individuals when put in public capacity face this situation regularly.
For example, a public official is the head of a board which is awarding a contract for road construction and in this process any close relative of the public official is also filling the tender. In this process, the private interests of the official that are lying with the relative can come in a rational and objective way of decision-making.
To resolve this type of conflict, the public official can follow the following rules
(i) He has to oblige with the code of ethics of the civil services which says that the official has to disclose his personal interest if present in any decision-making. And try to opt out of the process.
(ii) After revealing the personal interest if still asked to make the decision, then he has to follow objectivity in a non-partisan manner. In this process, he should reveal the facts of the manner in a transparent manner so that no one can question his integrity.
In addition to this, various oversight bodies and commissions can also be set up for the identification of any conflict of interest situation. Code of conduct and code of ethics should also be enforced in a strong
manner.
(a) official duties,
(b) public interest, and
(c) personal interest
are taking priority one above the other.
How can this conflict in administration be resolved? Describe with an example.
(150 Words)
Ans. Conflict of interest is a situation in which the public official's private interest can improperly influence the performance of his official duties. Many public servants or private individuals when put in public capacity face this situation regularly.
For example, a public official is the head of a board which is awarding a contract for road construction and in this process any close relative of the public official is also filling the tender. In this process, the private interests of the official that are lying with the relative can come in a rational and objective way of decision-making.
To resolve this type of conflict, the public official can follow the following rules
(i) He has to oblige with the code of ethics of the civil services which says that the official has to disclose his personal interest if present in any decision-making. And try to opt out of the process.
(ii) After revealing the personal interest if still asked to make the decision, then he has to follow objectivity in a non-partisan manner. In this process, he should reveal the facts of the manner in a transparent manner so that no one can question his integrity.
In addition to this, various oversight bodies and commissions can also be set up for the identification of any conflict of interest situation. Code of conduct and code of ethics should also be enforced in a strong
manner.