Pressure and Loyalty

You are posted as the Superintendent of Police (SP) in a district of a state where alcohol prohibition has been imposed recently. The District Excise department has conducted many raids and seized liquor in large quantities, for which it has received state-wide public appreciation. A few months later reports surface in the media that in this district, hundreds of seized bottles of illicit liquor are missing from the government malkhanas or stores. As a result, the government is left red-faced. You are asked by the DM, who is the overall in-charge of the district excise setup, to investigate the matter. Upon investigation, you unearth a nexus of politicians and government officials who smuggled seized liquor and sold it through spurious means both inside and outside the state. In this context, evaluate these options: 1. Report your findings to the DM and seek instructions for further actions, stating clearly the criminal offences committed prima facie. 2. Charge all accused under legal provisions and let the law take its own course. 3. Being aware of the seriousness of the matter, discretely put the detailed investigation report in the public domain and expose the nexus. Also, suggest, without restricting yourself to the given options, the final course of action that you would prefer.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 12 toppers · CSE 2019–2022

CorruptionEthical Dilemmas in Government

You have recently been posted as a District Labour Officer in a state, which derives a substantial revenue from tourism. You come to know that a big hotel in the area has not been paying wages as per the Minimum Wages Act. The hotel owner is a powerful local leader having contacts with many influential officials of the state. You have the power to take sou-moto cognizance of such violations and accordingly you initiate a preliminary enquiry into the matter. However, no worker is willing to come forward to lodge a formal complaint because they fear loss of employment. Meanwhile, your action has attracted notice of the higher authorities, and you are advised to drop the matter altogether. You are deeply concerned about the situation as it involves not only violation of the Minimum Wages Act but also denial of basic human rights of the worker. (a) Identify the issues involved in the given case. (b) Consider the options given below: 1. Follow the informal advise of the higher authorities. 2. Convince the owner of the hotel to take note of these violations and take appropriate remedial measures. 3. Submit a detailed report on the matter highlighting violations of workers’ rights and seek formal directions from the competent authority. 4. Serve a notice to the hotel owner and initiate action as per your powers under the Minimum Wages Act. Evaluate the merits and demerits of each of these options and suggest your preferred course of action, giving reasons.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2019–2022

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCrisis Decision Making

Mr. Pradeep is a senior civil servant in the central government and is involved in the budgeting department. In the course of performing his duties, he comes to know about diversion of funds earmarked for SC/ST sub-plan for other purposes. While he is not directly responsible for this aspect of the budget, he raised his concerns to the department concerned. He also learns that the minister responsible as well as senior most civil servants are aware of the practice and have given tacit approval for it. Soon thereafter, Pradeep was summoned to talk on the issue and was told that since the matter is not within his jurisdiction, he should 'keep his nose out of it'. After much soul searching, Pradeep decided to obey his supervisors by leaving the matter alone. Based on the information given, answer the following questions: 20 (a) Elaborate on the internal dissonance that Pradeep faces in the given situation. (b) On what basis can the decision of Pradeep be justified? (c) Had you been in Pradeep's place, what would have been the course of action chosen by you? Recognise the merits and demerits, if any.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2017–2019

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentUtilisation of Public Funds

You are the SP of a district where a large number of followers of a particular sect reside. The district also hosts a large Ashram where regular gathering of the followers take place. The leader of the sect has been under the scanner of the judiciary for his involvement in illegal activities. Now the court has ordered his immediate arrest and an order pronouncing the same has been sent to you. You have been asked to comply with the orders within two days. A large number of followers, which include women and children, have already thronged the Ashram in anticipation of arrest of the leader. Intelligence units have informed about the presence of not only large stock of food and water but also ammunition, inside the Ashram. Your request urging the followers to vacate the site has failed. 20 (a) What could be the reason for people's defiance? (b) List the issues involved in the case. (c) What will be your plan of action?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019

Crisis Decision MakingEthical Dilemmas in Government

"A blanket prohibition of criticism of the policies of the Government is invalid and void, and it makes no difference if the person criticizing happens to be a government servant." Critically discuss in the context of Civil Service Conduct Rules, 1964.

10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2018–2019

Civil Service ValuesCodes of Ethics and Conduct

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.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2017–2019

Pressure and LoyaltyCivil Service Values

You are an honest and responsible civil servant. You often observe the following: (a) If one wants to remain effective and powerful to create impact on the lives of people, one should remain loyal to those in power. (b) Following ethical means may not be practical and effective at all times. (c) Petty corruption expedites the service delivery. Examine the above statements with their merits and demerits.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2019–2023

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCivil Service Values

You are a young athlete representing India at an international-level competition. During the competition, you witness a few senior athletes injecting something using a syringe, in private. When you approach them, they explain that it is a performance enhancing drug, which is very common in such competitions and you should take the same as well. You are in fear and decide to approach the coach to discuss the event you witnessed. However, you get to know that the athletes are taking the drug at the advice of the coach himself. (a) What would you do in this scenario? Discuss the options available to you and chart your course of action. (b) Why do you think use of unfair means to enhance performance is common in competitive sporting event? How can this practice be minimized?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2019

IntegrityEthical Dilemmas in Government

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 posted as a District Magistrate of a primarily rural district. Excess agricultural production has led to a continuous fall in market prices of crops in the last three years. With elections approaching soon, the opposition has decided to make this a political issue and has mobilised farmers to protest against falling prices. The protests turned violent at some point and police had to fire in self-defence, killing two people. Violence has increased since then and you yourself were attacked when you tried to pacify the protestors. The protestors have also blocked the main roads as well as railways to prevent movement of goods and people. Given the situation, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the key concerns that need to be addressed on a priority basis. (b) What steps will you take to address them?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2019

Crisis Decision MakingEthical Dilemmas in Government

You are the CEO of a film production company, which has not been doing well financially for some time. Your company is now relying on its forthcoming movie, which is about to be released shortly. The movie has a cast of reliable actors and even before its release, trade pundits have predicted that the movie will be a hit. However, you face a conundrum as one of the actors in the movie is a citizen of a neighbouring country with which relations have been disturbed and a war like situation exists. While the political atmosphere was different when the movie was being filmed, now there is a widespread public demand, with a local political party at the forefront, for replacing the actor from the movie or a ban on the release of the movie itself, if the actor is not replaced. While you are aware of the mood of the nation and the public repercussions of releasing the movie in its present form, you also know that it is not feasible to replace him at this stage as he has a substantial role in the movie. There is also a section in the film fraternity that does not want you to compromise in the wake of threat by the local party as it compromises freedom of speech and expression as well as artistic creativity. (a) What are the options available to you? (b) Evaluate each of the options and state their merits and demerits. (c) What course of action would you take and why?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2017–2019

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentPressure and Loyalty

There have been widespread agitations both in favour of and against extending reservation in educational institutions and government jobs to a certain section of the society. You have been appointed as the chairman of a high level committee, constituted by the government to examine the matter and make recommendations. So far, the committee has found no compelling reasons to extend reservation to this section. While the report of the committee is pending finalization, you get an impression through the media that the government is inclined to accept the demand for extending the reservation, regardless of the findings of your committee. Some members of the committee are also inclined to support the government stand. (a) Discuss the dilemma, if any, that you face in this situation. (b) What course of action would you take? Give reasons for the same. (c) Also discuss the ethical issues involved with the policy of affirmative action in India.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2019–2023

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentImpartiality and Objectivity

Mr. Pradeep is a senior civil servant in the central government and is involved in the budgeting department. In the course of performing his duties, he comes to know about diversion of funds earmarked for SC/ST sub-plan for other purposes. While he is not directly responsible for this aspect of the budget, he raised his concerns to the department concerned. He also learns that the minister responsible as well as senior most civil servants are aware of the practice and have given tacit approval for it. Soon thereafter, Pradeep was summoned to talk on the issue and was told that since the matter is not within his jurisdiction, he should 'keep his nose out of it'. After much soul searching, Pradeep decided to obey his supervisors by leaving the matter alone. Based on the information given, answer the following questions: (a) Elaborate on the internal dissonance that Pradeep faces in the given situation. (b) On what basis can the decision of Pradeep be justified? (c) Had you been in Pradeep's place, what would have been the course of action chosen by you? Recognise the merits and demerits, if any

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2017–2019

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCrisis Decision Making

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. (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 2017–2019

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentEnvironmental Ethics

Identify the options available to you. 2. Evaluate the pros and cons of each of your options.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2016–2019

Crisis Decision MakingEthical Dilemmas in Government

There have been widespread protests both in favour of and against advancing reservation in educational institutions and government jobs to a certain section of the society. You are the chairman of a high level commission that was constituted to look into the matter. The commission has found no compelling reasons to provide reservation to this section and is about to submit its final report to the government. Meanwhile, the government takes the decision to extend reservation to the section, turning the commission's findings inconsequential. You have also been requested to ensure that the final report supports the government's decision. (a) Discuss the dilemma that you face in this situation? (b) What course of action would you adopt and why? (c) Also discuss the ethical issues involved with the policy of affirmative action in India.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2019

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentIntegrity

As the District Labour Officer (DLO) in the state, it is my duty to strike the proper balance between economic development and social and human rights development, permeating social justice to all private parties and labourers equally.

Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019

Crisis Decision MakingEthical Dilemmas in Government

You are working as a Block Development Officer (BDO) in a state and the Lok Sabha elections are around the corner. Two months prior to the elections, a mega rally of a leader from the political party ruling the state is being organized in the neighboring district. All BDOs have received an oral order from the Chief Development Officer directing them to make sure that five buses full of people from their block be sent to the rally. The only direction is to ensure maximum participation and make suitable arrangements in pursuit of the same. Given the situation, answer the following: (a) As a civil servant, what values should guide your response in such a situation? (b) Identify the various options that are available to you? (c) What course of action would you choose and why?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019

Impartiality and ObjectivityCivil Service Values

Government of India decided to come up with a plan to de-radicalise youths, influenced by extremist groups to join their terror outfits. Under this plan, a separate department was established under Home ministry. You are assigned a senior position in a newly created department. The department, thus created, was responsible for monitoring, counselling and rehabilitation of youths who were apprehended on their way to join terror outfit. Afterwards they were returned to their family members and were given an opportunity to start afresh. One such incident comes to your notice where Mr. X who is a doctor by profession and was returned to his family members. He was intercepted and apprehended by security agency in Turkey while on his way to join ISIS in Iraq. However, after his rehabilitation, Mr. X found it difficult to adjust. No one was ready to hire him. He and his family witnessed nearly a social boycott. You are the officer designated to monitor the progress of Mr. X. You received a credible intelligence report that owing to lack of social support and promising future prospects, once again he is in touch with terror outfit. You reported the whole matter to your immediate senior who shrugged it off and replied that Mr. X deserves this treatment owing to his misplaced allegiance and mistake. He ordered you to stay quiet and let Mr. X go about his business and, makes a promise that if he makes moves to join terrorist organisation, he will be arrested and put in jail. a) Would you adhere to your senior's order? Give reason(s) for your choice. b) What are the ethical dilemmas before you? How will you resolve these?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019

Crisis Decision MakingPressure and Loyalty

You have recently been promoted as a Branch Manager in a Public Sector Bank. The bank is battling high NPAs and mounting losses. You have been assigned a very high target of loans by the higher management for the current quarter. Your career prospects also depend on your performance in critical times. Few days back you rejected a loan application for a huge sum based on detailed analysis. Today you got a call from the Regional Manager to approve the loan quickly. On your reluctance to approve, he hints that the loan is sought by a person well connected in the finance ministry and that a refusal will have consequences for everyone in the approval chain. You are now a tough spot. Based on the given information, answer the following questions: (a) Bring out the ethical issues in the case above. (b) What are the consequences of agreeing to the demands of the senior in the given case. Assess which of them are meritorious and which are not. (c) Suggest institutional reforms that can result in non-punishment of honest feedback.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentPressure and Loyalty

A social audit was conducted by a reputed national institution for all state funded shelter home for girls in your district. The audit has pointed towards possible sexual abuse of girls living in a particular shelter house located in posh locality near district headquarters. The shelter home is run [by] an influential person who has political connections with big politicians and has a good influence on government officials including district child protection officer. It is in the news that district child protection officer is involved in the case as an accomplice with shelter home owner. Also news is coming of involvement of politicians and government officials in the case. An FIR has also been registered by the auditing institution with the nearest police station. a. As the district magistrate, what actions will be taken by you in the case? Also provide the objective behind the actions taken by you. b. The investigating officer of the case have cited the political pressure on him due to the ongoing investigation of the case. Also as the District magistrate, you are also getting frequent calls from influential persons pertaining to investigation for removing their names from investigation. What measures will be taken by you to ensure free and fair investigation without any influence? c. Discuss the safeguards that should be put in place to make sure that such cases do not occur in the future.

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019

Crisis Decision MakingPressure and Loyalty

You are working as a Block Development Officer (BDO) in a state and the Lok Sabha elections are around the corner. Two months prior to the elections, a grand rally of a leader from the political party ruling the state is being organized in the neighboring district. All BDOs have received an oral order from the Chief Development Officer directing them to arrange five buses each full of people, who are also beneficiaries of a government's flagship scheme, from their development block to be sent to the rally. The BDOs have to bear the cost of the buses out of the government fund earmarked for development purposes and motivate the people to participate in the rally, so that maximum possible participation level can be ensured. In this context, answer the following: (a) As a civil servant, what values should guide your response in such a situation? (b) Identify the various options that are available to you? (c) What course of action would you choose and why?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019

Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentUtilisation of Public Funds

Government has issued a tender for a mega road project. As a senior official in the Ministry, you are responsible for issuing the notice, examining the prospective tender offers and selecting the final vendor for providing the services. You are an upright officer. One of your relatives owns an infrastructure company and his company have applied for the above mentioned contract. After preliminary examination, you have reached the conclusion that your relative's offer best suits the government requirement. Initially, you had taken enough care that you are not at all instrumental in helping your relative. The Minister in charge of the Ministry wants you to allot the contract to the company of his choice-Company B. The said company has no previous experience in the field of Infrastructure. For contract to be allotted to company B, even the pre-established criteria may have to be changed. Therefore, you suspect the promoters of the company have made generous donations to ruling political party. The Minister is promising your career advancement in lieu of complying with him. a. Critically examine various conflicts of interest and explain what your responsibilities as a public servant are. b. Faced with this situation, what will you do?

20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019

Conflict of InterestPressure and Loyalty