Answer:

Introduction:

The basic principles of public life, also known as the Seven Principles of Public Life, were first established by the UK Committee on Standards in Public Life in 1995. These principles apply to individuals who hold public office or are involved in public service, and include:

Body:

Principles of Public life:- 

• Selflessness: Public officials should act solely in the public interest, and not for personal gain or to benefit others.
  • Example: A public official who refrains from accepting gifts or favors from individuals or organizations that have business before the government demonstrates selflessness.
  • In India, the former Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, took a similar stance when he announced that he and other members of his cabinet would not accept official cars or bungalows, which had been a tradition among the political elite.
• Integrity: Public officials should act with integrity, being honest and truthful, and avoiding any conflicts of interest.
  • Example: A public official who discloses any potential conflicts of interest and recuses themselves from any decision-making related to those interests demonstrates integrity.
  • In India, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, a judge of the Supreme Court of India, recused himself from a case involving the Punjab and Haryana High Court, as he had served as the Chief Justice of that court previously.
• Accountability: Public officials should be accountable for their actions and decisions, and should be subject to scrutiny by the public and other appropriate bodies.
  • Example: A public official who is transparent about their actions and decisions, and responds to questions and concerns raised by the public, demonstrates accountability.
  • In India, the Right to Information Act (RTI) provides citizens with the right to request information from any public authority, and has been used to hold public officials accountable for their actions and decisions.

Conclusion:

Overall, adherence to these principles helps to promote trust in government and public institutions, and ensures that public officials are serving the best interests of the public.

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