Mr. X, a senior officer, was overseeing a critical vaccination programme during a pandemic. He found that a private service provider responsible for vaccine distribution was compromising on quality to make profits. Despite immense pressure to manage the issue due to vested interests, he raised his voice based on the principles of public administration which he learnt during various training programmes attended across his career. He reported the issue to the appropriate vigilance authority and halted the contract to ensure citizen welfare.

Which one among the following principles of public administration was most strongly demonstrated by Mr. X’s actions?

1. Esprit de corps
2. Equity
3. Accountability
4. Delegation

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Mr X acted to ensure that the private contractor was held responsible for compromising vaccine quality. He reported the wrongdoing to the vigilance authority and terminated the contract in the public interest. This reflects the principle of accountability, where public officials and agencies are answerable for their actions and decisions.
  • Esprit de corps: Refers to team spirit and harmony among employees.
  • Equity: Means fairness and justice in treatment.
  • Delegation: Refers to assigning authority or responsibilities to subordinates.

Answer: (c) Accountability; Difficulty Level: Easy