Mains 2019 • GS-IV • Q.1

(a) What do you understand by probity in governance? Based on your understanding of the term, suggest measures for ensuring probity in government. (b) "Emotional Intelligence is the ability to make your emotions work for you instead of against you". Do you agree with this view? Discuss.

(a) Explain the basic principles of citizens charter movement and bring out its importance. (b) There is a view that the Official Secrets Act is an obstacle to the implementation of Right to Information Act. Do you agree with the view? Discuss.

(a) What is meant by the term 'constitutional morality'? How does one uphold constitutional morality? (b) What is meant by 'crisis of conscience'? How does it manifest itself in the public domain?

(a) Effective utilization of public funds is crucial to meet development goals. Critically examine the reasons for under-utilization and mis-utilization of public funds and their implications. (b) "Non-performance of duty by a public servant is a form of corruption". Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer.

You are a Public Information Officer (PIO) in a government department. You are aware that the RTI Act, 2005 envisages transparency and accountability in administration. The act has functioned as a check on the supposedly arbitrarily administrative behaviour and actions. However, as a PIO you have observed that there are citizens who filed RTI applications not for themselves but on behalf of such stakeholders who purportedly want to have access to information to further their own interests. At the same time there are those RTI activists who routinely file RTI applications and attempt to extort money from the decision makers. This type of RTI activism has affected the functioning of the administration adversely and also possibly jeopardizes the genuineness of the applications which are essentially aimed at getting justice. What measures would you suggest to separate genuine and non-genuine applications? Give merits and demerits of your suggestions.