You are an IAS officer with 10 years of service. This is your 1st posting as a District Magistrate (DM) in a big city. Prior to this you have always held not so important junior designations in the remote parts of the state. You are happy that you got a lucrative posting and now your children can have good schooling in the city. As a DM, you are appointed as the Returning Officer (RO) for the 18th Lok Sabha elections in your district's parliamentary constituency. In the above capacity, you are responsible for overseeing the electoral process, ensuring conducting a free, fair and transparent election in the constituency as well as upholding the democratic ethos of the constitution and public at large. A powerful politician serving as a minister from the ruling party is contesting election from the constituency. You are well versed with the fact that the minister adopts malpractices during the election. The minister approached and promised you with key positions, career advancements and further promotions in future on the condition that you overlook his corrupt practices during this election. He also warns you of the consequences if his demands are not met. Since, for the past many years, you have been assigned to less significant posts in the state, you cannot simply let go of such postings in near future. 1. As a civil servant what are the ethical dilemmas involved in the above situation? 2. List the options available to you and justify which one you would choose.

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024

Syllabus: Case Studies on above issues.