You are posted as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in a district. As the SDM it is your responsibility to conduct interviews and select a candidate for the post of an ASHA worker in the district. On the day you are conducting the interviews, you are approached by the MLA of the local constituency who asks you to choose a particular lady for this position by overlooking the other candidates. On checking her documents you find that she is eligible in all respects. The MLA implores that she should be given the post on compassionate grounds as her husband was a soldier who was martyred in a war. Some of the options to handle the situation could be as follows: (a) Ignore the MLA and proceed with the process of selection. (b) Speak to your superior and seek his guidance on the matter. (c) Appoint the lady to the post as it is a compassionate appointment. Also suggest other possible options. Evaluate each of these options and suggest the best course of action, giving reasons for it.

(a) Ignore the MLA and proceed with selection

Merits → Full display of honesty & integrity → Fair to other applicants for the position

Demerits → Conflict with MLA may harm the cooperation of political executive and bureaucracy in my district. → The lady not getting job will be hardship for her as she is a widow of martyr.

(b) Guidance from Seniors

Merits → Possibility of sound advice

Demerits → Delegation of your own duty (responsibility) → Might be another influence, apart from MLA.

→ shows my inefficacy to handle a small ethical concern.

(c) Appointing the lady

Merits → Good rapport with MLA

Benefit for that lady

Demerits → Unfair administration

Due process not followed

Rights of other applicants not upheld.

Other possible options

(d) Talk to the MLA regarding appointment process and need for making it fair

(e) Search for government programmes for welfare of martyrs' widows and ask the lady to get help from those.

(f)

Best course of action -

Speak to the MLA clarifying to him that you'll treat the lady as any other eligible applicant for the process. Even if she fairly secures the job, it becomes your duty to show that not only what you did was impartial but without any political influence. For this, marks and weightage given to certain parameters can also be released in public domain.

If she is not selected, then best course of action will be to make her aware of other schemes of which she can take benefit of.

By following above course of action, I can be ethical in administration since the appointment will be fair and just. Also, I can ensure the welfare of the lady even if she is not selected.