Mudit Foujdar173 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
A 'conflict of interest' refers to a situation of two sets of competing interests at loggerheads with each other, where a decision in favour (or against) one has repercussions on the other.
Body · points
Effect on working of public servant:
Prevents objectivity in decision-making. Eg. An IAS in the interview panel which is interviewing a candidate which is a relative.
Leads to inducements & corruption. Eg. Awarding a contract to a company where the spouse of the public servant works.
Prevents standardisation & consistency in decision-making.
Decreases social capital and public trust in the public office. Eg. USA legislators investing heavily in stock markets - allegations of insider trading.
Ways to minimise conflict of interest:
- Full transparency & disclosures (voluntary) regarding assets & liabilities, of oneself as well as family.
- Recusing oneself from projects, Tenders involving conflict of interest.
- Developing objective criterion and SOPs for decision-making. Eg. Open online tender for coal mines.
- Developing ethical values, probity and following the Code of Conduct in letter and spirit.
Close · no separate close
None written.
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