Komal PuniaAIR 6 · CSE 2024 · 400 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening
The case involves a classic example of corrupt officials using public funds for personal gain, jeopardising people's welfare.
Body · points and prose
1) Ethical issues involved
- Personal gain at cost of public welfare.
- Corruption and forgery.
- Misuse of public funds and taxpayers money.
- Nexus between senior officials & politicians perpetuating corruption.
- People's rights are being compromised.
- Honesty is not appreciated ↳ subtle threat on exposure of corruption.
- Against constitutional principles of Article 39(b) & (c).
- Selective welfare of few prioritized over collective welfare of all.
2) Options available with merits & demerits
- Feign ignorance and doesn't report corruption.
| Merits | Demerits |
|---|---|
| 1) Personal welfare ensured. | 1) Public welfare duty is neglected. |
| 2) Career progression is not compromised. | 2) Ignoring corruption is also being part of it. |
- Report corruption to relevant authorities
| Merits | Demerits |
|---|---|
| 1) Funds will go to rightful rural public. | 1) Career progression jeopardised. |
| 2) Will set a good precedent and reduce corruption. | 2) Complaint may be ignored due to nexus. |
| 3) Utilitarianism approach [largest people welfare]. | 3) Displeasing seniors above in hierarchy. |
- Make audit report public by way of filing RTI by any NGO.
| Merits | Demerits |
|---|---|
| 1) Public will question seniors for their corruption. | 1) Disclosure of critical information - against secrecy. |
| 2) Could minimise severe repercussions on me. | 2) Seniors still displeased → Personal cost. |
3) My chosen course of action
Close · a way forward
My chosen course of action will first include effort of solving issue internally.
I will ask seniors not to indulge in corruption and prevent misuse of funds.
If they don't heed my requests, I will utilise internal mechanisms for exposing their corrupt practices.
If still no action is taken, I will try to involve relevant NGOs to question the auditing report.
In the long term, I will try to institutionalise transparency reforms like digitalisation, social auditing, disclosure of information freely etc., so that in future, corruption can be minimised.
Though my efforts may not be sufficient to eradicate the menace of corruption, but as SUKA JATAKA (where a parrot tries to extinguish fire by carrying water in his beak), signifies that no efforts are wasted.