AIR 10 · CSE 2019 · GS4 · 58 pages

Sanjita Mahapatra: GS4 answer copy

19 answers by Sanjita Mahapatra, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1(a)What does 'publicness' of public sector indicate? Comment on the blurring of lines between public and private sector in the wake of increasing role of private sector to deliver services to the public.10 marks
  2. Q1(b)Giving examples of some social ills plaguing the society, discuss how social persuasion can be an effective technique to overcome them.10 marks
  3. Q2(a)The grievance redressal mechanism is the gauge to measure efficiency and effectiveness as it provides important feedback on the working of the administration. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the issues which have created barriers for a responsive redressal mechanism.10 marks
  4. Q2(b)What steps should be taken by the government for establishing an effective grievance redressal mechanism?10 marks
  5. Q3(a)Given below are two statements. Bring out what you understand by them and discuss their relevance in the present context. (a) "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear"- Nelson Mandela10 marks
  6. Q3(b)"Not everybody can be famous, but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service"- Martin Luther King.10 marks
  7. Q4(a)Explain why superstitious beliefs and practices abound in India. In this context, discuss the importance of inculcating scientific temper to remove superstitions.10 marks
  8. Q4(b)Simply labelling people as liberal or conservative is to miss the point that an individual can have divergent views on different issues. Explain with examples.10 marks
  9. Q5(a)Anti-corruption measures need focus on both demand as well as supply side of corruption. Discuss in the light of prevalence of 'collusive corruption' in India.10 marks
  10. Q5(b)Identify the various traits of work culture associated with government organisations in India. Also, suggest ways in which a healthy work culture can be created to meet the objectives of good-governance.10 marks
  11. Q6Citizen's charters can be both a stimulus and a means for government to raise the standards of public service delivery. Discuss.10 marks
  12. Q7Attitude and behaviour are so closely interwoven that a change in one inevitably influences the other. Explain the statement with examples.10 marks
  13. Q8Emotional intelligence is an important parameter as one aspires to move up the ladder in a competitive environment. Discuss.10 marks
  14. Q9In the following questions, carefully study the cases presented and then answer the questions that follow (in around 250 words): 9. Rapid growth of information and communication technology, with all its benefits, has associated risks and far-reaching consequences. The government has constituted a committee to frame guidelines for an inclusive and safe cyberspace in India. The committee has solicited public opinion in this regard. As a concerned citizen, you have to give your suggestions on the following themes: (a) Why do you think some people or a set of people are more vulnerable to cyber threats with special emphasis on cyber-bullying. (b) Do you think the experiences and exposure in cyberspace are an important influence in a person's attitude and behaviour? (c) What reasonable restrictions can be applied to make cyberspace more safe and friendly to all citizens?20 marks
  15. Q10You are serving as the Public Health Officer in a district that is lagging behind in achieving the Open Defecation Free (ODF) status. Even after ensuring adequate access to water and sanitation services, their usage has not spread and the practice of open defecation continues in the district. Despite serious extension efforts by the government, safe hygienic practices have not been adopted by the people. As a result, various instances of bacteriological contamination and water-borne diseases have surfaced up recently. In such a scenario: (a) Examine the reasons behind low usage and adoption rates of built toilets in India? (b) Highlighting the principles to be kept in mind while preparing an effective Information, Education and Communication (IEC) strategy, design an action plan to address the problem.20 marks
  16. Q11You are the District Magistrate of a district that is known for making combustible substances such as match boxes and fire crackers. As per the The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016, employment of children in such hazardous activities is prohibited. In this regard, government has also released a notification that owners of these manufacturing units need to report on the profiles of their employees annually as child labour has been prevalent in these industries. These manufacturing units, abiding by the directives of the government, publish such reports annually and claim to have successfully put an end to employment of child labour. However, it has been brought to your notice that these companies are taking advantage of a loopholes in the law. They have been outsourcing their hiring to independent contractors who engage families in the business. The families have been continuing to use child labour to supplement their income and also keep the cost of labour competitive so as to bag more such contracts and since they are not officially on the payroll of the companies, they are absolved of the legal liabilities. (a) Identify the ethical issues in this case. (b) How would you approach the problem and what would be the main elements of your action?20 marks
  17. Q12You 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
  18. Q1320 marks
  19. Q14Many Indian cities are facing a major problem of management of household waste. Huge volume of wastes have meant that landfill sites are facing the problem of overcapacity. On the other hand, the waste-to-energy plants constructed to solve the problem are also facing flak due to their inefficiency and release of poisonous pollutants. The manner of waste disposal by people is identified as one of the main reasons behind this problem. The government has notified rules regarding disposal, collection and treatment of waste and has initiated numerous awareness campaigns in the past. Still, the problem does not seem to be getting under control. Given such a situation, answer the following questions: (a) What do you think is the reason behind the apathy of people towards issues like waste disposal that affect the larger interests of society in general? (b) Identify the stakeholders and the significance of their involvement in addressing the issue.20 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 246 words written

What does 'publicness' of public sector indicate? Comment on the blurring of lines between public and private sector in the wake of increasing role of private sector to deliver services to the public.

Opening · a definition

'Publicness' of public sector indicates the dealings of the public sector with common man. The funds being utilised by the public sector is public money. The stakes held by government in it are public since it involves public money. The money collected from public in lieu of taxes is public money. Government stands custodian of the money.

Because of huge burden on the public sector, due to diversified roles adopted by them, there has been an increasing tendency to outsource certain public services to private sector.

This has led to blurring of lines as seen:

Body · points and prose

→ private sector implements all back end technological solutions of government schemes system. → they are at times first point of contact in the provision of service.

Positive fallouts: → rising efficiency → faster decision making → streamlining of jobs → better record keeping e.g. - SAP system implemented by HCL and others has helped streamline procurement activities in many Public Sector Units (e.g - SAIL)

Negative fallouts: → private sector is driven by profit motives rather than public interest → lack of display of empathy to vulnerable sections. → not lending a helping hand to the poor

Close · a way forward

Though privatization of certain services can bring about efficiencies, but it should be rationalized. It should not divulge core activities which deals with most vulnerable people. Else the indifferent attitude of private sector, may lead to loss of trust of public on governance. This would defeat the very purpose of privatizing certain services.