Corruption

Should a person resort to leaking of information in case of wrongs done in the organization ? Does it cause a conflict of interest between the personal, organizational and societal spheres? Discuss with examples.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2016–2019

Conflict of InterestCorruption

Investigative reporting by media can be a significant source of information on corruption. What are ethical issues involved in investigative journalism? What safeguards can be introduced to prevent its misuse?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2016–2018

Transparency and InformationCorruption

You are the manager of a small hotel which maintains high standards of ethics in dealing with its customers. One day a person comes to your hotel and enquires about booking a room at your hotel. However, due to peak season, all rooms were already booked and hence the staff politely informed him about the unavailability. The person, however, was adamant and took this as a personal insult and started misbehaving with the staff present at the counter. Citing his political connection he also threatened the staff of severe consequences. Next day the person lodged a frivolous complaint with the police under the stringent SC/ST act. In his complaint he accused you and your staff of insulting him deliberately on the basis of his caste. He insisted further that he was denied a room at your hotel due to the caste he belongs to. 1. 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 5 toppers · CSE 2016–2019

Crisis Decision MakingEthical Dilemmas in Government

You are DM of a very poor district in the hinterland of India. It has come to your notice that manual scavenging is widely prevalent in the district even though the new law prohibits manual scavenging in any form. Upon enquiry, you have found that the number of manual scavengers has been reported to be very low, however, hundreds of dry latrines in the district depict a different picture. You have also noticed two more important trends: first, most of the manual scavengers are Dalits, and second, in many of the cases they themselves go to the houses and request the owners to clean their toilets manually, as it would provide monetary benefits. The entire district administration has been criticized by the media and there is political pressure on you to manipulate the data in a way that it shows less number of manual scavengers in the district. Based on the given information answer the following: 1. Identify the ethical issues associated with manual scavenging. 2. List the options available to you in the given case. Evaluate the merits and demerits of each. 3. Discuss some feasible steps that you can take to control this serious problem.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2016–2017

Empathy and CompassionCrisis Decision Making

You are SP of a district where the use of drugs is prevalent, especially among the youth. The neighbouring districts are also suffering from the same problem. There is a huge hue and cry in the national media about the drug issue and the government and political parties are pressurising the police and district administration to act on the issue. A big deal of drugs is busted by the police in your area and all the culprits have been arrested. However, even before you reach your office, a minister from the ruling party of the state calls and asks you to release few of the culprits. You have long suspected the role of many senior leaders in this drug menace of the state. You have also been informed by your juniors that a few officers who dared to act against people involved in drug dealings were transferred or suspended on wrong charges earlier. 1. Identify the options available to you. 2. Evaluate the pros and cons of each of your options.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2016–2017

Crisis Decision MakingEthical Dilemmas in Government

P worked as an Assistant with a state government run Corporation. She was reporting to M, who was working as an Officer. During the course of work, M used vulgar language and tried to develop proximity with P. At that time, P openly expressed to M she did not appreciate his behaviour. This resulted in M giving more work to P and making her wait in his cabin for prolonged periods. Since the hostile work atmosphere became unbearable for P, she verbally complained to her seniors. Nothing happened for months. Since M threatened to spoil confidential record of P and destroy her career by falsely entangling her in corruption charges, P complained in writing. CEO of the Corporation handed complaint to the HOD of the department. The written complaint resulted into appointment of an officer to inquire into the complaint which concluded that P's complaint was false and recommended her transfer. As a result, P was transferred to other office. P approached a union leader and an NGO for help. At that time P was not aware about the existence of the Vishakha guidelines and the Law on sexual harassment enacted in 2013. Due to their help the administration formed a complaints committee although it didn't adhere the members' criteria of Vishakha guidelines. Though P produced witnesses, committee concluded it could not be said conclusively that P was harassed by M. In addition the committee commented negatively on the nature and work performance of P. The Corporation closed the case after giving warning to M and transferred him to rural posting on promotion. a) What will be your reaction after reading the above case study? b) Analyse the ethical issues in handling of P grievances. c) Suppose you are the secretary of the department which has jurisdiction over the corporation and P sends details of her grievances then what are the options available to you? Evaluate them and choose the best option, giving reasons.

25 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCodes of Ethics and Conduct

Under the ambitious interlinking of rivers programme, one state Chief Minister on the occasion of inauguration mentioned that khus grass should be laid in and around the confluence of the two rivers to promote tourism. Mr A is a sincere, honest and dedicated senior district forest officer. On the basis of the CM wishes, he issued tender for this grass and eventually, over Rs. 15 lakh was spent to buy 5 lakh ton grass and they were planted in around the confluence. Since due to flood, the grass planted were swept away, the department again started efforts to lay down the grass then it was found that there were irregularities and corruption. It has been reported that on paper, the quantity of grass shown is different from the quantity planted. Proper labourers were not also employed rather passers' by were given the task but interestingly, bill vouchers for wages have been issued. Suppose you are the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of the state and you have been given task to take appropriate steps then how do you view the following questions a) Whether the issues in the case study are more about corruption rather than administrative efficiency? b) Although Mr A has dedication towards service but lacks work culture ethics. c) The issues are not about efficient utilisation of public fund but rather about quality of service. d) In your view, what should be the most appropriate action against Mr A? Give proper justification.

25 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016

CorruptionUtilisation of Public Funds

It appears that there is "alarming drop in integrity levels" among civil service officers, especially in the higher echelon as reported in recent times. It shows that law as deterrence, Supreme Court's judgements and naming and shaming are not very effective. Discuss its causes and consequences on citizen and administration. What innovative measures will be taken to tackle such officers?

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016

IntegrityCorruption

You are in a subordinate position as a Revenue Officer next to the district head of your department. Your department is entrusted with revenue collection in the district. Annual and the corresponding monthly targets are duly achieved in the district where you are posted and the performance of that district is considered to be satisfactory and even good as compared to other districts in the state. Eventually, you come to know that there is more potential for revenue collection and hence you start applying more efforts. Your enthusiasm to collect more revenue has not gone well in the administration. You are advised from above and below your rank to maintain status quo or face consequences. All the staff seems to be in collusion and you have good evidence to believe that the nexus goes to the departmental headquarter. (a) Identify the various actions that you could take; (b) Evaluate the pros and cons of each of your actions. (c) What should be the most appropriate action in your view? Give adequate justification.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016

CorruptionEthical Dilemmas in Government

Nanded is one of the most backward districts in the state of Maharashtra. It had received award for its exemplary performance in the implementation of MNREGA from the union government for 'Planning for Water Conservation' 2010-11. Since 2012-13, its implementation has almost come to a virtual standstill due to exposure of corruption. It has happened due to two conflicting claims. The first is due to detention of many officials including Junior Engineer and Sarpanch and an enquiry is underway. The local officials think that arrest was made under political influence without conducting a proper inquiry as there have been serious attempts by various political parties to show the scheme in a bad light and thwart the implementation of MNREGA. This has made them wary of dealing with MNREGA as the indiscriminate arrests have instilled a sense of fear in them. This is despite the fact that subsequently there have been many systemic improvements. For example, most of the wage payments now go through banks rather than the post office. There is a helpline and ombudsman for grievance redressal, and so on. The second is contrary to the allegations posed by implementing agencies; facts through Right to Information (RTI) application show that the most rampant form of corruption happened through the deliberate creation of bogus workers by some corrupt officials and a large proportion of funds have been siphoned off by them. Meanwhile, the benefits of Water Conservation which the district has experienced for three years are at risks if the standstill of the programme is not removed soon. The poor and farmers will be the most affected people as drought, scarcity of water and declining water table put their livelihood in danger. Suppose the state government has posted you as DM effective handling of the issues then (a) Identify the major flaws in handling of the above case by the district administration. (b) Discuss your strategies to instil confidence among local officials so that the programme can be resumed with the same enthusiasm. (c) Suppose you were in place of the outgoing DM then what could have been your correct responses when the scam was exposed which might have averted the pitfalls?

25 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016

CorruptionRules versus Compassion

Discuss the following views on the relationship between corruption and salary of civil servants: (a) How does low or high salary affects the conduct of civil servants? (b) Low salary in public agencies are among important reasons for high level of corruption.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016

CorruptionProbity in Governance

Explain whether you will agree or not with the popular impression that in our country now there is no fear of the anti-corruption laws on the part of government officials? Discuss the factors which are responsible for such perception.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016

CorruptionProbity in Governance

Right to Service acts are part of a broader rights-based approach to social policy that has rippled through India over the past decade and a half. Many states have passed public service guarantee acts, also known as Right to Service acts. A state government has set up the Public Service Management Department to oversee the implementation of the Right to Service acts and you have been made its head. After some time you come to observe the following facts: First, officials often wait until towards the end of the maximum allotted time period to complete a service. It could be that officials are creating a new opportunity for bribes, taking money to speed the service up (especially for time sensitive services like caste certificates that may be required for a job or university application). Second, lower officials did express concern about Right to Service Acts being implemented unfairly or being distracting. For example, some said that if there was to be a time limit for processing applications and completing the work within stipulated time then there should also be a limit on how many applications can be accepted. They also felt that the fear of a penalty did make them prioritize processing these applications, but at the expense of their other works. (a) As the head of the Department how you will explain the behaviour of the officials? (b) Except the two options which are given below, what other options are available for you to address the issues of case study. Evaluate their merits and demerits and choose the best option, giving reasons. (i) Set up a citizen grievance redressal cell in the office. (ii) Install CCTV in the office and fix a limit on how many applications can be accepted.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016

Quality of Service DeliveryCorruption

Discuss the following terms which are based on popular presumptions and perceptions in civil services (a) One can be either 'corrupt and efficient' or 'honest and inefficient'. (b) Democratic ethos and bureaucratic ethos are at loggerhead. (c) The doctrine of committed bureaucracy undermines the concept of neutrality.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016

Civil Service ValuesImpartiality and Objectivity