Critically analyze the ethical dilemmas arising from the

1. Community Ties and Loyalties:

Arunachal Pradesh is characterized by strong community ties and cultural traditions. Civil servants often face pressure to favor their own community members in government dealings. This can manifest as:

• Favoritism in Employment and Contracts: Offering preferential treatment to individuals from their own community for government jobs or contracts.
• Informal Pressure: Being pressured by community elders or leaders to influence decisions in favor of their community.
• Difficulty in Objectivity: Struggling to make impartial decisions when faced with requests or demands from within their community.

2. Financial Influence and Corruption:

Financial influence is a significant ethical challenge. Civil servants can be vulnerable to:

• Bribery and Extortion: Accepting bribes or demanding money in exchange for favorable decisions or services.
• Misuse of Funds: Diverting public funds for personal use or the benefit of their community or family.
• Gifts and Favors: Accepting gifts, favors, or hospitality that could compromise their impartiality.
• Lack of Transparency in Financial Dealings: Opaque procurement processes and lack of public access to financial records.

3. Social Expectations and Peer Pressure:

Social expectations can exert subtle but powerful influence on civil servants:

• Obligation to Share Wealth: The pressure to share wealth or resources with family and community members, potentially leading to corruption.
• Acceptance of Corrupt Practices: The tacit acceptance or tolerance of corrupt practices within certain social circles.
• Fear of Social Isolation: The fear of being ostracized by their community for refusing to participate in unethical practices.
• Erosion of Moral Standards: Gradual erosion of ethical standards due to prolonged exposure to corruption and social pressure.

4. Suggestions for robust measures to ensure integrity and accountability:

• Strengthened Legal Frameworks:
  • Enforce existing anti-corruption laws (e.g., Prevention of Corruption Act) rigorously.
  • Amend the Lokayukta Act and make it more effective, independent, and empowered to investigate and prosecute corruption cases.
  • Establish specialized anti-corruption courts to expedite the resolution of corruption cases.
• Promote Transparency and Open Governance:
  • Implement the Right to Information (RTI) Act effectively, ensuring easy access to government information.
  • Mandate proactive disclosure of information, including asset declarations by civil servants, procurement details, and policy decisions.
  • Conduct regular social audits of government programs and projects.
  • Use technology to create a public portal for grievance redressal and feedback mechanisms.
• Foster Ethical Training and Education:
  • Provide regular ethical training for civil servants, focusing on conflict of interest, financial integrity, and the importance of public service.
  • Integrate ethics and governance into the curriculum for civil service training academies.
  • Promote a culture of ethical conduct through awareness campaigns and public education.
  • Establish an independent ethics review board to provide guidance and resolve ethical dilemmas.
• Strengthen Internal Controls and Oversight:
  • Implement strict rules and procedures for procurement and financial transactions.
  • Conduct regular internal audits of government departments and agencies.
  • Establish independent vigilance departments within government organizations to monitor and investigate misconduct.
  • Create a confidential whistleblowing mechanism to encourage reporting of corruption and unethical behavior.
• Promote Community Engagement and Awareness:
  • Empower local communities to monitor government activities and hold civil servants accountable.
  • Conduct awareness programs on the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
  • Encourage community participation in decision-making processes.
  • Involve local NGOs and community leaders in promoting ethical governance.