[Model Answer QP2022 GS4 Ethics] The rules and regulations provided to all the civil servants are the same, yet there is a difference in the performance. Positive minded officers are able to interpret the Rules and Regulations in favour of the case and achieve success, whereas negative minded officers are unable to achieve goals by interpreting the same Rules and Regulations against the case. Discuss with illustrations.

Difference in performance between the two kinds of officers is because of the following: 

Positive Minded Officers	Negative Minded Officers
Officers who have a positive attitude will pay attention to the good rather than bad in people, situations, events, etc.	Officers with a negative attitude ignore the good and pay attention to the bad in people, situations, events, etc.
Such Officers are rewarded, and it means the individual is encouraged to do the same thing in the future.	Such officers  are punished to discourage the same action in the future
They will surely experience joy, love, gratitude, peace, and hope. Hence commitment and dedication to public service.	They will have negative feelings such as anger, disappointment, irritation, envy, etc. Hence frustrated and exhausted with their jobs.
Having a “positive attitude” means a person believes everything happens for the best in the end.	A person with a “negative attitude” tends to believe their best days are in the past, and there is nothing to “look forward to” and considers it a waste of time and energy.
It is an optimistic approach for a person to achieve good results.	It is a pessimistic mindset of a person who is not capable of handling critical issues.
It can achieve long-term goals easily and in time.	It can achieve some initial goals but not the long-term goals
It is a process of solving problems.	It is a process of looking for problems.
Such officers with a positive attitude pay attention to the virtues of others.	Such offices with negative attitude pays attention to other people’s shortcomings
Such officers always see opportunities.	Such officers always see limitations.

Illustration

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MOTA) has from time to time been objecting to poor implementation of the FRA by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). MoTA has also been critical of MoEF’s attempts to dilute the forest law, especially the revised guidelines (2015) for easing forest clearance which limits powers of the gram sabhas to decide on development projects.

Indigenous groups have been faced with the constant threat of losing their lands, livelihoods and forests to development projects, which are initiated without proper consent of the gram sabhas. The state has invoked its power of eminent domain to acquire lands for development projects without consideration of laws such as the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (LARR) Act 2013, Forest Rights Act 2006 and the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 among others.

In this case the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MOTA) is positive minded and the Ministry of Environment and Forests seem to be negative minded.