Question 1 Wisdom lies in knowing what to reckon with and what to overlook. An officer being engrossed with the periphery, ignoring the core issues before him, is not rare in the bureaucracy. Do you agree that such preoccupation of an administrator leads to travesty of justice to the cause of effective service delivery and good governance. Critically evaluate. UPSC CSE 2022 Ethics Integrity Paper.
answer
First of all, I agree that wisdom lies in knowing what to reckon with and what to overlook. An administrator should be able to prioritize the core issues that affect the public interest and the common good, and not get distracted by trivial or irrelevant matters. However, this does not mean that an administrator should ignore the periphery altogether. Sometimes, the periphery can provide valuable insights, feedback, or opportunities for improvement that can enhance the core issues. For example, an administrator who is responsible for managing a public health system should focus on the core issues of ensuring access, quality, and affordability of health care for all citizens, but he or she should also pay attention to the periphery issues of public awareness, community participation, innovation, and collaboration with other stakeholders.
Therefore, I would argue that an administrator should not be engrossed with the periphery, but rather be aware of it and use it as a source of information and inspiration. An administrator who is engrossed with the periphery may lose sight of the main goals and objectives of his or her work, and may waste time and resources on unimportant or counterproductive activities. This may lead to a travesty of justice to the cause of effective service delivery and good governance, as the administrator may fail to deliver the expected results, meet the needs and expectations of the public, or uphold the values and principles of public administration.
However, an administrator who is aware of the periphery may be able to use it as a tool for enhancing the core issues. For example, an administrator who is aware of the periphery may be able to identify emerging trends, challenges, or opportunities that may affect the core issues in the future, and may be able to adapt or innovate accordingly. An administrator who is aware of the periphery may also be able to engage with diverse perspectives, opinions, or feedback from various sources, and may be able to incorporate them into his or her decision-making or problem-solving processes. An administrator who is aware of the periphery may also be able to foster a culture of learning, creativity, and collaboration within his or her organization or network, and may be able to leverage the collective intelligence and wisdom of others.
Therefore, I would conclude that an administrator should not be engrossed with the periphery, but rather be aware of it and use it wisely. An administrator who does so may be able to achieve effective service delivery and good governance by focusing on the core issues that matter most, while also being open to new ideas, feedback, or opportunities that may arise from the periphery. This may require a balance of skills, knowledge, and judgment from an administrator, as well as a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.