Mr. A is an honest senior bureaucrat who retired some time back. He has worked across many positions and wields immense influence in the corridors of power. His wife was working in a consulting firm. She has now quit her job and started her own consulting firm that will bid for government contracts also. Mr. A himself intends to contribute his experience and insider knowledge about the government operations to prepare for the bid. When prodded about any conflict of interest, Mrs. A argued that she always wanted to own her own consulting firm and bid for government projects so that she could improve the quality of government operations through her services. But earlier she could not since her husband was a bureaucrat in the same city and various government rules prevented her from doing so. As he has now retired she can take up this job. (a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case? (b) What are steps that can be taken by Mr. A to resolve these ethical issues? (c) What is the best option for Mr. A? Support your answer with appropriate reasons.

(a) Ethical issues involved

(i) Unfair advantage Mrs. A consulting firm has overs due to access to insider knowledge through Mr. A

(ii) Is it ethical on the part of Mr. A to share insider knowledge?

• Does it breach trust and confidentiality of the Government organisation

(iii) Mrs. A consulting firm winning the contract, might attract allegations of favouritism, nepotism, abuse of power and influence

• Will question government's probity.

(iv) Should Mrs. A consulting firm be allowed to bid for government services? Given there is issue of conflict of interest.

(b) Steps that can be taken by Mr. A

(i) Request Mrs. A to re-consider applying for government contracts, as there is chances of public see this as abuse of power, influence for personal benefits by a retired bureaucrat

(ii) If Mrs. A wishes to apply,

• Communicate clearly that no inside inforation will be revealed that fetches unfair advantage over other competitors.

(iii) In the interests of maintaining integrity and probity, it is better for Mr. A to not be associated with the consulting firm.

(iv) Also he can also consult with department head regarding disclosing what information might be regarded breach of trust and confidentiality.

(c) Best option for Mr A

• is to detach himself from the consulting firm, as it is interested in Government projects
• detaching himself will protect his integrity in the eyes of people, appreciate the high moral standards of retired bureaucrats.