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UPSC Mains 2022

Whistle blower, who reports corruption and illegal activities, wrongdoing and misconduct to the concerned authorities, runs the risk of being exposed to grave danger, physical harm and victimization by the vested interests, accused persons and his team. What policy measures would you suggest to strengthen protection mechanism to safeguard the whistle blower?

General Studies Paper - 4, Topic: Transparency and Accountability

Jan 06, 2023

2 min read

There are several policy measures that could be implemented to strengthen the protection of whistleblowers who report corruption and other illegal activities, wrongdoing, and misconduct:

 

1. Establishing a confidential reporting system: This would allow whistleblowers to report issues without fear of retaliation or being identified.

 

2. Providing legal protection: This could include laws that protect whistleblowers from being fired or discriminated against in the workplace, as well as laws that provide for criminal penalties for those who retaliate against whistleblowers.

 

3. Providing financial support: This could include financial compensation for lost wages or other damages suffered as a result of blowing the whistle.

 

4. Providing psychological support: Whistleblowers may experience significant stress and anxiety as a result of their actions, and it is important to provide them with access to mental health resources to help them cope.

 

5. Educating the public: It is important to raise awareness about the importance of whistleblowers and the risks they face, in order to encourage more people to come forward and report wrongdoing.

 

In conclusion, it is important to create a culture of transparency and accountability that encourages and supports whistleblowers, in order to ensure that illegal and unethical behavior is exposed and addressed.

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