In what ways can an Indian Administrative Officer apply Gandhi’s notion of ‘trusteeship’ to ensure fairness in governance?
10 marks · answer in 150 words · directive: Explain
The core of a good answer
Trusteeship asks the officer to treat public power, public money and natural resources as held in trust for the people, especially the poorest, so decisions are made for the common good, transparently and without personal gain.
An outline written by upsc.help, not an official UPSC answer; every fact checked by a separate review. How we work
What the question asks
Explain the idea briefly and then show concrete ways an officer applies it in daily administration. The focus is 'fairness', so link trusteeship to equity, impartiality and use of public resources.
Answer outline
Introduction
Gandhi held that those with wealth or power should see themselves as trustees, using it for society's welfare rather than personal gain; his co-workers Narhari Parikh and Kishorelal Mashruwala drafted a 'Practical Trusteeship Formula'.
Trustee of public resources
- Treat land, minerals, forests and budgets as held for the public; allocate them through fair, transparent processes.
- Efficient spending: avoid waste and leakages; public money is not the officer's to spend loosely.
Trustee of power
- Use discretion for the weakest first (Gandhi's talisman: will this step help the poorest person you have seen?).
- Impartiality and no personal benefit from office; disclose conflicts of interest.
Trusteeship applied to others
- Encourage industry and the wealthy to share responsibility (CSR, local philanthropy) for district priorities.
- Community stewardship of commons through gram sabhas and user groups.
Trustee of the future
- Inter-generational equity in environmental decisions.
- Grievance redress and accountability to people as beneficiaries of the trust.
Conclusion
Trusteeship turns authority into service; an officer who sees himself as a trustee will naturally govern fairly.
Examples and data to cite
- M.C. Mehta v Kamal Nath (Supreme Court, 13 December 1996): public trust doctrine held to be part of the law of the land; the State holds natural resources for public use.
- Companies Act, 2013, section 135: qualifying companies must spend at least 2% of average net profits on CSR, an institutional echo of trusteeship.
- All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, rule 3(2B)(iv): take decisions solely in public interest and use public resources efficiently, effectively and economically.
Facts to remember
- The Practical Trusteeship Formula was drafted by Narhari Parikh and Kishorelal Mashruwala and refined by M.L. Dantwala.
- Rule 3(2B)(vii) of the AIS Conduct Rules bars misuse of position for benefit to self, family or friends.
- Gandhi held that wealth beyond one's livelihood belongs to the community, and that the wealthy could be persuaded to part with it to help the poor.
Where it sits in the syllabus
- GS4: Moral thinkers and philosophers
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
- GS4: Probity in governance
Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen's Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
- GS4: Ethics in public administration
Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.