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Question

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?

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CSE 2022 (Prelims) CSAT Previous Year Paper (05-June-2022)

Whistleblowers are vital for good governance, but they indeed face grave risks, from physical harm to professional victimization. To strengthen their protection, robust policy measures are crucial. Firstly, a comprehensive and clear Whistleblower Protection Act is essential, ensuring legal safeguards are explicit and enforceable, not ambiguous. This act must provide complete anonymity and confidentiality mechanisms for reporting, allowing disclosures without revealing identity unless absolutely necessary.
Secondly, strong penalties for retaliation against whistleblowers must be rigorously enforced, deterring employers or vested interests from victimizing them through transfers, dismissals, or social ostracism. An independent oversight body with investigative powers should be established to promptly address complaints of victimization and ensure swift justice. Lastly, public awareness campaigns about whistleblower rights, alongside training for authorities on handling disclosures ethically, would foster a culture of support. Offering witness protection-like measures for severe threats should also be considered, ensuring their safety and encouraging more individuals to expose wrongdoing for public good.

Answered By:

Harsh Raj

Harsh Raj is a successful government exam expert, having cleared multiple stages of SSC CGL, IBPS PO, CDS, RRB NTPC, and Delhi Police SI exams himself and mentored more than 5000 students through direct mentorship. His expertise is in creating well researched content, especially MCQs, which have been directly asked by relevant commissions in multiple exams.

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