What should a government employee do if they are offered a bribe?

The correct answer is Refuse the bribe and report the incident immediately.

Key Points

• Government employees are bound by ethical and legal responsibilities to uphold the integrity of public service and refuse any form of bribery.
• Reporting a bribery attempt immediately ensures transparency and enables authorities to investigate the incident effectively.
• Accepting or ignoring a bribe violates laws such as the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and can lead to severe legal consequences including imprisonment and fines.
• By refusing and reporting the incident, the employee contributes to combating corruption and maintaining trust in government institutions.
• Most organizations have established channels for whistleblowing or reporting unethical behavior, which ensures anonymity and safety for the reporting individual.

Additional Information

• Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988:
  • This act criminalizes the act of taking or offering bribes in public offices and establishes legal measures to prevent corruption.
  • It empowers authorities to investigate and prosecute offenders effectively.
• Whistleblower Protection Act, 2014:
  • Ensures the safety of individuals who report corruption or unethical practices in government organizations.
  • Provides legal protection against retaliation for whistleblowers.
• Central Vigilance Commission (CVC):
  • An autonomous body established by the Government of India to address corruption in public offices.
  • CVC investigates complaints and ensures adherence to rules to promote transparency and accountability.
• Ethics in Public Administration:
  • Public administrators are expected to act in the best interest of citizens and maintain integrity in their roles.
  • Ethical behavior ensures efficient and fair governance, fostering public trust in government institutions.
• Anti-Corruption Helplines:
  • Many government organizations have established helplines for reporting bribery and corruption-related incidents.
  • These helplines are accessible to both employees and citizens, ensuring swift action and confidentiality.