Integrity

Ramesh, a very hardworking person, is the sole bread earner in his family. He has worked with an oil company's local affiliate for several years, and has established a strong, trustworthy relationship with Suresh, manager of the local facility. Suresh has recently recommended Ramesh to be recruited as the corporate consulting engineer for the company, which would be a position of greater responsibility along with a stable income. During a casual conversation, Suresh mentions an incident in the 1960s wherein 10,000 gallons of a petrochemical was leaked into the local environment by the company due to negligence, though at the time no damage was found, and no mention of this leak was made to the press. When Ramesh mentions that the state law requires him to report all spills, Suresh reminds him that no harm had been done and reminds him that the company can't have a consulting engineer who does not value loyalty and respect confidentiality. 20 (a) Identify the ethical issues involved in the given case. (b) What are the options available to Ramesh in this situation? Evaluate each of them. (c) Had you been at Ramesh's place, what would have been your course of action? Give reasons for the same.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2017–2018

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentConflict of Interest

Fortitude enables a civil servant to make difficult yet morally right decisions. Explain with reference to real-life examples.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2017

Aptitude for Civil ServiceCivil Service Values

A rail overbridge (ROB) is being planned in the capital city of a central Indian state. The project aims to reduce traffic congestion and ease delays at railway crossings, which affect thousands of daily commuters. It had been a long-standing demand of local residents, and the government approved it to address persistent traffic bottlenecks in the area. The project is to be executed by the State Public Works Department (PWD), with a strict completion deadline of one year i.e. 31st July 2026. The PWD Minister, who is also the local MLA, is scheduled to inaugurate the project in the third week of August 2026. This is planned to take place shortly before the expected announcement of state elections. Ramesh has been selected as the project manager of this prestigious assignment on the basis of his professional competence and experience. While reviewing the approved design plans in preparation for execution, Ramesh identifies a serious flaw. The proposed alignment includes a sharp 90-degree turn, incorporated due to spatial constraints between an electrified railway line on one side and ongoing metro construction on the other. From a technical standpoint, Ramesh believes the design is unsafe. It increases the risk of vehicular accidents, especially for heavy vehicles, and may lead to long-term inconvenience for road users. Ramesh promptly raises the issue with the Chief Engineer. However, the Chief Engineer overrules the concern. He states that the General Arrangement Drawing (GAD) has already been approved by the Bridge Engineering Department, in coordination with Indian Railways. He points out that revisiting the design at this stage shall result in project delays, increased expenditure, and unwanted political attention. Subsequently, Ramesh comes to know that the contractor awarded the tender to execute the project is a close relative of the PWD Minister. He also receives unofficial communication suggesting that his promotion to Additional Chief Engineer is under active consideration, but could be jeopardised if he creates "unnecessary hurdles" in the project's timely completion. The incumbent state government is eager to complete the overbridge before the elections and present it as a major developmental achievement. This adds to the pressure on Ramesh to expedite project execution without raising further objections. Nonetheless, he remains convinced that the current design is flawed and could have grave implications for public safety if left unaddressed. Meanwhile, the bridge design has also attracted widespread public attention after being published in a leading local newspaper. Images of the sharp 90-degree turn went viral on social media, drawing criticism and ridicule. Several engineering experts have publicly flagged the alignment as a potential safety hazard, reinforcing Ramesh's concerns. a) Under the given conditions, what are the options available to Ramesh as a project manager? b) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Ramesh? c) What are the professional challenges likely to be faced by Ramesh and his response to overcome such challenges?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2017

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentIntegrity

What are the ethical issues involved in the practice of undercover journalism? (b) Do you support the practice of undercover investigation by journalists? Give reasons in support of your answer.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2017–2018

Dimensions of EthicsEthical Dilemmas in Government

A reputed Indian beauty & personal care company developed a herbal skin cream for the international market, claiming anti-ageing and skin-repair properties based on traditional Ayurvedic formulations. After obtaining the necessary approvals and export certifications, the company began exporting the product. The product received widespread positive feedback for its quality and natural formulation, and soon became a huge hit in international markets. Riding on this success, the company announced that the product would soon be made available to domestic consumers, with almost the same quality and health benefits. Subsequently, it secured approval from the domestic regulatory authority and launched the product in the Indian market. Over time, the brand gained a significant share of the domestic market and earned substantial revenues both nationally and internationally. However, during a random sample check, officials discovered that the cream sold in India differed from the version approved by the competent authority. The product failed to meet the claimed herbal composition and purity standards. Further investigation revealed that the company had often been distributing batches that had failed export quality checks. The incident triggered widespread public criticism and regulatory scrutiny, leading to a sharp decline in the company's reputation and financial performance. a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. b) What actions should the competent regulatory authority take against the personal care company for violating domestic quality standards and distributing rejected export batches in the Indian market? c) What course of action is available to the company to manage the crisis and restore public trust and brand credibility?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2017

Corporate GovernanceCorruption

What are the options available to you? 2. Evaluate each of these options and choose the option which you would adopt, giving reasons.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentPressure and Loyalty

You are a government official supervising the maintenance and upkeep of juvenile rehabilitation centres all over country. You are a strong advocate for preventive services such as counselling and parenting skill education as an alternative to the placement of neglected children in rehabilitation homes. You have convinced your minister about the stand and he has taken a public position on the same and declared that he will scrap the scheme of rehabilitation homes alltogether. Believing that a reputable study of the cost-effectiveness of preventive services would bolster your position, your department enters into a contract with a top university to conduct a series of evaluation studies. The first study involves a controlled experimental evaluation of government sponsored preventive services. To your dismay, the findings show no evidence that preventive service is a cost effective alternative to placing children in rehabilitation homes. You are worried that the results, if published, would not only compromise the position of the minister but also yours. What will you do in such a situation? Some of the options are given below. Evaluate the merits and demerits of each of these options and suggest what course of action you would take, giving reasons. 20 (a) Keep silent on the report and continue advocating your stand with the minister. (b) Cancel the contract with the university and conduct a fresh study with a new agency. (c) Report the results to the minister and follow his orders. (d) Conduct further research and be prepared to accept the results and declare them publicly.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017

Crisis Decision MakingIntegrity

Ramesh, a very hardworking person, is the sole bread earner in his family. He has worked with an oil company's local affiliate for several years, and has established a strong, trustworthy relationship with Suresh, manager of the local facility. Suresh has recently recommended Ramesh to be recruited as the corporate consulting engineer for the company, which would be a position of greater responsibility along with a stable income. During a casual conversation, Suresh mentions an incident in the 1960s wherein 10,000 gallons of a petrochemical was leaked into the local environment by the company due to negligence, though at the time no damage was found, and no mention of the leak was made to the press. When Ramesh mentions that the state law requires him to report all spills, Suresh reminds him that no harm had been done and reminds him that the company can't have a consulting engineer who does not value loyalty and respect confidentiality. 20 (a) Identify the ethical issues involved in the given case. (b) What are the options available to Ramesh in this situation? Evaluate each of them. (c) Had you been at Ramesh's place, what would have been your course of action? Give reasons for the same.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCorporate Governance

Identify the ethical issues involved in the given case. (b) What are the options available to Ramesh in this situation? Evaluate each of them. (c) Had you been at Ramesh's place, what would have been your course of action? Give reasons for the same. (a) Highlight the options available to you in this scenario and evaluate each of them. What course of action will you take and why? (b) Is there a need for having reasonable restrictions on social media for it to remain a platform of healthy and fruitful engagement. Analyse from the viewpoint of different stakeholders.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017

CorruptionEthical Dilemmas in Government

You are a Public Information Officer (PIO) in Public Works Department. An RTI is filed to know about the allotment of tender to a company for construction of a bridge. While collecting information about the allotment process you came to know that the tender was under-priced. However, you also came to know that it was unintentional and was due to a calculation error which could not be detected during the scrutiny. The under-secretary of the department who is an honest official with an impeccable record and is the final authority for passing the tender has requested you to iron out the deficiencies in your response. His argument is that elections are to be held soon and the company which has got the tender belongs to a relative of senior minister. He fears that his reputation and job as well as of others involved in the process of allotment is at risk. You sympathise with your colleagues and understand that such consequences are possible. 20 (a) What are the options available to you? (b) Evaluate each of these options and choose the option you would adopt, giving reasons.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentTransparency and Information