Improving public services in the age of transition: Prevailing practices and ethical dilemmas

In a sovereign, socialist democracy like India, government is an important institution of which citizens are inseparable sovereigns. Government comprises of various components among which Public Services or Civil Services are one of the most significant Sub-Systems without which no civilization can last. In this transforming era of globalization the role and responsibility of Public Services has increased rapidly to accomplish the complexities of the modern lifestyle. The prevailing dissatisfaction towards the system and services & vulnerability of life in the transitional societies indicates the malfunctioning or loopholes within the Civil Services. This failure is nothing but the ethical dilemmas of people within this system. The paper focuses on the present unethical and irresponsive practices by citing examples and cases & how to make Public Services more responsible, accountable and effective for the sake of ‘Good Governance’. The paper also talks about the rising connotation of ethics, values and civic sense for both government and citizens in this age of transition especially in the developing societies because without such sense no ‘Welfare Development’ can take place.