The Minister of Public Service in Mauritius, Raj Pentiah, has emphasized the importance of ethics in public service, particularly for public servants engaging in private professional activities. This comes after the issuance of a circular reminding public servants of their obligations regarding private activities. The circular aims to ensure that public servants adhere to the required standards of conduct. Minister Pentiah made these remarks at a conference on leadership organized at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation in Côte-d’Or.
The circular instructs ministries, departments, and public organizations to enforce strict compliance with regulations governing private activities outside of public service. Public servants wishing to engage in private activities must submit a request to their Responsible Officer and obtain the necessary authorization before commencing the activity. This move is part of the government's efforts to promote transparency and accountability in public service. Minister Pentiah expressed his desire to discourage public servants from holding full-time government positions while also engaging in other professional activities.
According to Minister Pentiah, holding a full-time government position and another job simultaneously is not acceptable. He stressed that public servants must prioritize their duties to the government and avoid conflicts of interest. The minister's stance is aimed at fostering a culture of integrity and dedication among public servants. He also highlighted the importance of demonstrating "benign administration" towards the public.
The conference on leadership, organized at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation, featured Ong Boon Hwee, an international consultant and former brigadier-general of the Singapore Armed Forces. Minister Pentiah participated in the conference, where he discussed his vision for the public service sector. The institute aims to become a center of excellence, and Minister Pentiah expressed his commitment to achieving this goal.
Minister Pentiah also emphasized the need to reduce bureaucracy in the public service sector. He believes that a change in mindset is necessary to achieve this goal. The minister encouraged public servants to adopt a more innovative and responsive approach to their work. By doing so, he hopes to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the public service sector.
In his efforts to promote a new mindset among public servants, Minister Pentiah used a local phrase, "Bizin aret pans kouma enn fonktyoner," which translates to "We must stop thinking like a public servant." This phrase underscores the need for public servants to think innovatively and be responsive to the needs of the public. The minister's approach aims to foster a culture of excellence and accountability in the public service sector.
The government's efforts to promote ethics and accountability in public service are ongoing. Minister Pentiah's emphasis on the importance of ethics and integrity in public service is a significant step towards achieving this goal. The circular on private activities and the push to reduce bureaucracy are part of a broader strategy to improve the public service sector in Mauritius.
Key points
- Minister Raj Pentiah emphasizes the importance of ethics in public service, particularly for public servants engaging in private activities.
- The government has issued a circular reminding public servants of their obligations regarding private activities and aims to promote transparency and accountability.
- Minister Pentiah also aims to reduce bureaucracy in the public service sector by promoting a change in mindset and encouraging innovative approaches.
