Answer:

Introduction

Conflicts of interest in public governance refer to situations where public officials face competing personal or financial interests that may compromise their ability to act objectively and ethically in the best interests of the public.

Body

Distinction between actual and potential conflicts of interest

Effective measures to identify, prevent, and manage such conflicts in public administration includes 

• Implement strict disclosure policies: Require public officials to disclose their financial interests, assets, and relationships. For instance, India’s Central Vigilance Commission mandates annual financial disclosure by government employees.
• Code of ethics: Prescribe code of ethics for public officials with a specialized body responsible for overseeing ethical conduct, investigating potential conflicts, and advising public officials, e.g. United States Office of Government Ethics.
• Provide regular ethics training: Conduct mandatory training programs in LBSNAA for senior officials to educate public officials about conflict of interest issues, ethical decision-making, and the importance of maintaining public trust.
• Encourage a culture of transparency: Foster a culture where transparency is valued and actively promoted. Encouraging suo-moto disclosures under the RTI Act can enable citizens to access government information addressing such conflicts of interests.
• Implement cooling-off periods: It can prevent public officials from immediately transitioning into roles where conflicts of interest may arise. The European Union’s revolving door policy mandates cooling-off periods for former EU Commissioners.
• Conduct regular audits and evaluations: These practices can identify vulnerabilities, evaluate the effectiveness of existing measures, and recommend improvements. UPSC can conduct audits to assess compliance with ethics guidelines.

Conclusion

By implementing these measures, public administrations can work towards identifying, preventing, and managing conflicts of interest effectively. This will enhance transparency, uphold ethical standards, and maintain the public’s trust in the decision-making.

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