FRAMEWORK FOR ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR
According to Second Administrative Reforms Commission (SARC), any framework of ethical behaviour for public functionaries should include the following elements:
(a) Codifying ethical norms and practices
(b) Making ministers disclose their personal interests in business to avoid conflict between publicinterest and personal gain
(c) Creating a mechanism for enforcing the relevant codes
(d) Providing norms for qualifying and disqualifying a public functionary from office
In this chapter, we restrict the meaning of public functionary to ministers or those who hold political office. As we saw earlier, a code of ethics comprises high moral values whereas a code of conduct is a set of ruleswhich thepublicfunctionary has to obey. He can be heldlegallyaccountable
for it. A code of ethics covers broad guiding principles of good behaviour and governance while a more specific code of conduct will generally enumerate unacceptable kinds of conduct.
In this chapter, we will discuss the following topics:
¤ Internationally recognised ethical norms of behaviour for those who hold high public office
¤ Code of conduct applicable to ministers
¤ Second Administrative Reforms Commission’s (SARC) recommendation on code of ethics
for ministers