Day 79 – Q 1.What should be the five most important directives in a code of ethics meant for politicians? Suggest.

1. What should be the five most important directives in a code of ethics meant for politicians? Suggest.  

राजनीतिज्ञों के लिए आचार संहिता में पाँच सबसे महत्वपूर्ण निर्देश क्या होने चाहिए? सुझाव दें।

Introduction:

Code of ethics represents certain values and norms that standardise one’s behaviour in different aspects of life. It leads to morality in actions and thus ensures fairness and justice to all. It is often seen that civil servants and politicians do not adhere to required moral values

Body

Need for Code of Ethics

• There is opportunism and playing of games to fulfil their personal gains.
• Political promises, action agendas remain just statement of intent after coming to power. They remain among poor people only before elections, and forget their concerns later.
• Misuse of political, official positions and power is often seen. e.g. abusive behaviour by an MLA with civic officer or Senior officers making junior officials cleaning their shoes.
• Many corruption scandals unearthed such as in giving accreditation to educational institutes, coal-scam, conflict of interest, visit to foreign countries on public funds etc show a nexus between civil servants and politicians.
• Horse trading, defections often show lack of integrity and organizational ethics. Officials taking prejudiced decisions or favouring an ideology while discharging official duties.
• Internal democracy lacking in parties, Criminalization of politics, black money being used in elections, official being caught taking bribes and amassing huge properties

Five most important directives in a code of ethics meant for politicians

• Prohibit MPs from misusing the power and immunities they get.
• An MP should avoid conflict between a private and a public interest.
• No parliamentarian should be allowed to vote on those questions in the House, in which he/she has a vested interest.
• Amend the Constitution to ensure a minimum of 110 days of sitting in a legislature having more than 100 members, and 90-50 days of sitting in Houses with less than 100 members depending on the size of the State involved.
• The filing by legislators of a statement of income, assets and liabilities, and an indication of changes in these figures over time.
• Punishment of members by admonition, reprimand, censure or withdrawal from the House in case of violations or breach of the code of conduct.
• Automatic suspension from the House of any member involved in offences of grave misconduct.

Conclusion

It would be cynical to view ethical behavior merely as strategy for getting elected. A better way to think about ethics comes from Wilford Brimley’s famous pitch for Quaker Oatmeal: “It’s the right thing to do.”