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 and 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?
Esprit de corps
Equity
Accountability
Delegation
View Answer
Correct Answer: C — Accountability
Explanation:
The officer identified wrongdoing affecting public welfare and reported it to the proper vigilance authority. He also acted to stop the compromised contract instead of ignoring pressure from vested interests. That most strongly reflects accountability in public administration.