[Answered]Honesty as a policy always comes with a price. The path of honesty, like dharma, is straight yet seldom simple. It often turns out to be tortuous, consumes more energy, sometimes even damaging the vehicle because of unfavourable road conditions. The honest, however, go on regardless, perhaps driven by an inner force that borders on recklessness. Elaborate. Discuss the importance of honesty in civil services.

 Honesty means being truthful and open. It is a facet of moral character that connotes positive and virtuous attributes such as integrity, truthfulness, including straightforwardness of conduct, along with the absence of lying, cheating, theft, etc. It is said that honesty as a policy always comes with a price. It is true. Honesty demands sacrifice and courage to face hurdles created by the society and system in path of being honest. But it is also true that a truly honest person goes on, regardless of all the hurdles.

Being honest- not an easy path:

1. Need courage and self-discipline: It takes a lot of courage and self-discipline to be honest with self and with others. It’s not easy. And if one is really honest, people consider him/her not normal.
2. Not so simple: On the surface, the concept of honesty seems simple enough. But it is not so simple. There are challenges that an honest person have to face. One has to face countless fights with close and loved ones over blunt and straightforward reactions.

3.Usually not rewarded: An act of honesty usually is not rewarded. Rather one who is absolutely honest is punished by talks, derogatory remarks from surrounding corrupt people in order to make the person dishonest. Further, it is said that honesty is its own reward and it is recognised in the long run. But the long it could be unpredictably long.

4. Loneliness: Most of the time honest find themselves alone. The price for the honest is in the form of lonely suffering, even noticeable isolation. The honest are usually shunned by friends and family members for being too idealistic and not practical.

Importance of honesty in civil services:

1. Public welfare: Honesty is of paramount importance, especially for a public servant. A public servant is to serve people and his/her actions will impact millions of lives. It is many decisions, day to day administration, growth and development of people which are at stake with the honesty and integrity of public servant.
2. Impact community: If public servant is not willing to serve honestly then many poor, illiterates, marginal become victims of the causes. For example corruption in a road contract may lead to low quality road that could cause accidents, vehicle repairs, pollution due to dust etc.
3. Conflict resolution: Honesty and Integrity ensures Probity in Public Service which is in line with democratic spirit of the Constitution. Such morals are important for Public servant for conflict resolution, while taking decision on the basis of what is right and what is wrong for people.
4. Good governance: It improve work culture and motivate subordinate officers to be honest and thus ensure effective delivery of public services.

People sitting in higher levels of administrative hierarchy are entrusted with core areas of administration such as policy formulation and decision making having potential to influence people of the entire nation. But as rightly said “with greater power comes greater responsibility”, these powers are to be used for their designated purpose and people. Thus honesty with oneself and to his duty, and personal and professional integrity are of utmost importance.