You have been newly appointed as the District Magistrate of a district, which is known for its rich mineral deposits. Following the news being circulated in the media about the illegal mining in your district, you have initiated an enquiry into it. When the State's Minister of Mines and Minerals gets to know of the enquiry initiated by you, he directs you to name some junior government employees as being involved in the wrongdoing and make them scapegoats. He also points out that elections to the State Assembly are around the corner and the present government wishes to stay clear of any political corruption. This Minister is a very influential figure in the present regime and there are high chances of the present ruling party being voted back to power. In due course of the enquiry, it has come to your notice that the said Minister has also been involved in illegal mining through his cronies. The findings of the enquiry can affect the outcome of the elections as well as completely derail your career, if the incumbent party wins the elections, which looks very likely as per the polls. Answer the following with reference to this case: (a) Identify the stakeholders and the ethical issues in the given case. (b) Critically evaluate the options in the given scenario and state your course of action, giving reasons.

The given case exemplifies the political-mafia nexus in mining and criminalisation of politics which leads to elections as the 'end-goal' of democracy. I, as a DM face the dilemma of action vs inaction which may harm my career.

(a) Stakeholders in the case

The various issues surrounding this cases can be depicted as:

⊙ Criminalisation of politics which has led to political corruption

⊙ Politico-bureaucratic mafia which causes illegal mining and disrepute to the district.

⊙ Scapegoat polities on part of the mines minster which shows lack of democratic attitude and compassin for lower rank officers.

⊙ Means vs. ends: Elections as the by-all and end-all of democracy & lack of real accountability.

⊙ Right to livelihood of public getting affected because of this (Art 39)

⊙ Environmental degradation due to illegal mining e.g: Rat-hole mining in Meghalaya

⊙ Political pressure on DM for illegal things → culture of alibis

(b) As the DM of the district, my duty is to ensure Rule of law and legality of mining operations. Options available:

(i) Do as the minister says

(ii) Enquiry will be continued

⇒ Course of action

⊙ I will communicate to the minister that the enquiry is a legal instrument to bring the accused to justice.

⊙ Using Emotional intelligence, I will argue that, this will lead to: ↳ Long term sustainability of district ↳ Reduce illegality

⊙ I will ensure that the enquiry is ended at time.

⊙ Those who have been found guilty will be punished.

This will ensure me acting as integral, courageous & will lead to sarvodaya.

⇒ Course of action

⊙ I will communicate to the minister that the enquiry is a legal instrument to bring the accused to justice.

⊙ Using Emotional intelligence, I will argue that, this will lead to: ↳ Long term sustainability of district ↳ Reduce illegality

⊙ I will ensure that the enquiry is ended at time.

⊙ Those who have been found guilty will be punished. This will ensure me acting as integral, courageous & will lead to sarvodaya.