‘public servant’ and role of public servant

A public servant is a person employed in the public sector on behalf of a government department or agency. In other words, public servant is person who works for the government (Centre, State, and Local), such as a teacher, IAS officer, police officers, Judge, etc. to serve the interests of citizens. A public servant is someone who values public good over his/her personal interests in his official capacity. They have to deal with the management of resources that are publicly owned in a way that enhances public interest. Further, the individuals carrying out the task are publicly accountable for their actions. 

Public interest means allocation of resources in a way that further collective well-being and is consistent with ethical and constitutional norms, thereby helping individuals develop fully into citizens. A public servant while performing his role should exercise certain values like accountability, integrity, honesty, commitment to public service, effective implementation of policy, leadership, empathy towards the vulnerable sections in their public dealings. 

This needs to be qualified that the actions of a public servant must generate common good and general welfare and should not be motivated by sectional or particular interests. There should be a sense of trusteeship in holders of public office and breach of that trust of public should be seen as a crime. 

Expected Role of Public Servant 

The expected role of a public servant depends on the sector in which one is working. As a teacher of public school, one should try to impart best possible education to students without any discrimination. As a doctor in government hospital, one must treat his patients well and in best of capacity. 

As a civil servant, one should try to see that whatever entitlements are people getting should actually reach them. As a political leader, one should understand and represent the voice of people in right forums and help make legislations that solve them. If we compare with their counterparts in private sector, the only difference will be the motivating force and guiding principles. In public sector, one should not bring into considerations one’s own interests in calculations. 

One must only try to maximize people’s interest and that too people in general and not sectional interests. In public offices, enough incentives are given so that people can work without fear and favour, if they can keep their genuine desires under control. We have had judges like J.S.Verma who worked till age of 80 to prepare report after Nirbhaya rape case. 

We had great leaders like E. Sreedharan who altered the public transport landscape of cities of India. M.S. Swaminathan created Green revolution that made India a food surplus country. When we count such big names, we must not forget the contribution of millions of public servants working in different capacities in different parts of the country that make the system run. Without the dedication and selflessness of people manning the public institutions at meagre wages compared to private sector, a country people like India cannot function.