UPSC Mains 2014 · GS IV · Q11 · 20 marks · 250 words · Case study

You are a no-nonsense, honest officer. You have been transferred to a remote district to head a department that is notorious for its inefficiency and callousness. You find that the main cause of the poor state of affairs is the indiscipline of a section of employees. They do not work themselves and also disrupt the working of others. You first warned the troublemakers to mend their ways or else face disciplinary action. When the warning had little effect, you issued a show cause notice to the ringleaders. As a retaliatory measure, these troublemakers instigated a woman employee amongst them to file a complaint of sexual harassment against you with the Women’s Commission. The Commission promptly seeks your explanation. The matter is also publicized in the media to embarrass you further. Some of the options to handle this situation could be as follows : (i) Give your explanation to the Commission and go soft on the disciplinary action. (ii) Ignore the Commission and proceed firmly with the disciplinary action. (iii) Brief your higher-ups, seek directions from them and act accordingly.

Suggest any other possible option(s). Evaluate all of them and suggest the best course of action, giving your reasons for it.

हिन्दी में

आप अनाप-शनाप न सहने वाले, ईमानदार अधिकारी हैं। आपका तबादला एक सुदूर ज़िले में एक ऐसे विभाग के प्रमुख के रूप में कर दिया गया है, जो अपनी अदक्षता और संवेदनहीनता के लिए कुख्यात है। आप पाते हैं कि इस घटिया कार्य-स्थिति का मुख्य कारण कर्मचारियों के एक भाग में अनुशासनहीनता है। वे स्वयं तो कार्य करते नहीं हैं और दूसरों के कार्य में भी गड़बड़ी पैदा करते हैं। सबसे पहले आपने उत्पातियों को सुधर जाने की, अन्यथा अनुशासनिक कार्रवाई का सामना करने की चेतावनी दी। जब इस चेतावनी का ना के बराबर असर हुआ, तब आपने नेताओं को कारण बताओ नोटिस जारी कर दिया। इसके बदले के रूप में उन्होंने अपने बीच की एक महिला कर्मचारी को आपके विरुद्ध महिला आयोग में यौन-उत्पीड़न की एक शिकायत दायर करने के लिए भड़का दिया। आयोग ने तुरन्त आपका स्पष्टीकरण माँगा। आपको इससे आगे भी लज्जित करने के लिए मामला मीडिया में भी प्रसारित किया गया। इस स्थिति से निपटने के विकल्पों में से कुछ निम्नलिखित हो सकते हैं : (i) आयोग को अपना स्पष्टीकरण दे दीजिए और अनुशासनिक कार्रवाई पर नरमी बरतिए। (ii) आयोग को नज़रअंदाज़ कर दीजिए और अनुशासनिक कार्रवाई को मज़बूती के साथ आगे बढ़ाइए। (iii) अपने उच्च अधिकारियों को संक्षेप में अवगत करा दीजिए, उनसे निर्देश माँगिए और उनके अनुसार कार्य कीजिए।

कोई अन्य सम्भव विकल्प सुझाइए। सभी का मूल्यांकन कीजिए और अपने कारण बताते हुए सबसे अच्छा विकल्प स्पष्ट कीजिए।

Ethical Dilemmas in Government Work Culture Integrity

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Chhaya SinghAIR 65 · CSE 2023 · 8 wordsTheir whole copy

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Kamal is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer. He has been recently transferred as the Municipal commissioner of the Kartavya Nagar Municipality. Kamal is an honest and no-nonsense officer. He has been known for having a tough stance against corruption, lethargy, and indiscipline at the workplace. In his new responsibility as the Municipal commissioner, Kamal finds that the day-to-day functioning of the municipal office is in a very sorry state. The inefficiency and ineffectiveness have brought matters to such a pass that even the basic responsibilities like cleanliness of the city, upkeep of public places, redressal of grievances etc., are not fulfilled. Upon enquiring, Kamal finds that the reason for rampant indiscipline and corruption in the municipal office is primarily a group of errant employees. While they do not work themselves, they also create nuisance in the office, thereby disrupting the work of other sincere employees. Moreover, it also comes to Kamal's knowledge that these employees indulge in corrupt practices by demanding bribes from people for petty tasks. Further, Kamal has noticed that the undisciplined employees come to office late, leave early and also remain absent from work without permission. Kamal gets to know that the ringleader of these employees is a close relative of a local MLA. In order to improve the working condition of the municipal office, Kamal warns the mischievous employees to mend their troublesome ways or to face strict disciplinary actions. However, Kamal's warning has little effect on the thick-skinned employees, who continue to work in their wayward ways. Finally, Kamal issues a show cause notice to all the troublesome employees for their various acts of indiscipline. As a retaliatory measure, a woman employee amongst these troublesome workers files a complaint of sexual harassment against Kamal with the Women's commission. The commission has asked for Kamal's explanation in this matter. Also, this fabricated matter is publicised in the media to embarrass Kamal further. Moreover, the MLA begins pressuring Kamal to go soft on these employees. Some of the options before Kamal to handle this situation could be as follows: i) Give his explanation to the Commission and go soft on the disciplinary action. ii) Ignore the commission and proceed firmly with the disciplinary action. iii) Brief his higher-ups, seek directions from them and act accordingly a) Evaluate all the above courses of action and suggest the best course of action, giving your reasons for it. b) What according to you are the reasons behind poor work culture in public offices? Also, recommend measures to improve the same.1 answer

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper IV, Q11. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.