Question Case Study 6GS4GS2

1. What are the ethical issues involved in the above case? 2. What are the options available to you? 3. Identify and explain your chosen course of action after evaluating the merits and demerits of each option.

Main Body

[Hindi text and Case Study 6 in English - English version:] You are an IAS officer recently appointed as the Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development. Your responsibilities include overseeing the implementation of various rural development schemes and ensuring their efficient execution. During an audit of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act MGNREGA funds, you discovered substantial irregularities. It appears that a significant portion of the funds allocated for rural employment projects has been siphoned off by senior officials within the ministry through fraudulent invoices and fake beneficiary lists. The funds meant for rural poor have been diverted to personal accounts. You are faced with an ethical dilemma. Reporting this corruption could lead to severe repercussions for you as the implicated senior officials are politically influential and have strong connections. You have also received subtle threats implying that your career progression could be jeopardised if you proceed with the disclosure. On the other hand, ignoring the corruption would mean perpetuating a cycle of exploitation and depriving rural poor of their rightful benefits. 1. What are the ethical issues involved in the above case? 2. What are the options available to you? 3. Identify and explain your chosen course of action after evaluating the merits and demerits of each option.

[This page appears to contain additional analysis of Case Study 6, including discussion of ethical issues, options available, and chosen course of action.] Benior officials Corrupt - Rural poor, Stakeholders, Me (Deputy Secretary), Ministry of RD, Auditing team, MGNREGA, Society at large Ethical issues involved: (1) Personal gains at cost of public welfare (2) Corruption and forgery (3) Misuse of public funds and taxpayer money (4) Nexus between senior officials & politicians perpetuating corruption (5) people's rights are being compromised (6) Honesty is not appreciated by subtle threat on exposure of corruption (7) Against constitutional principles of Article 39b&c (8) Selective welfare of privilegised over collective welfare of all. 3) Ethical issues involved (1) Personal gains at cost of public welfare (2) Corruption and forgery (3) Misuse of public funds and taxpayer money

The case involve classic example of corrupt officials using public fund for personal gains, jeopardising people welfare.

Senior officials Corrupt - Stakeholders: Me (Deputy Secretary), Society at large, Auditing team, MGNREGA, Ministry of RD, Rural poor Ethical issues involved: (1) Personal gains at cost of public welfare (2) Corruption and forgery (3) Misuse of public funds and taxpayer money (4) Nexus between senior officials & politicians perpetuating corruption (5) People's rights are being compromised (6) Honesty is not appreciated - subtle threat on exposure of corruption (7) Against constitutional principles of Article 39b&c (8) Selective welfare of privilegised over collective welfare of all

449 words1 paragraphs

Conclusion

The case involve classic example of corrupt officials using public fund for personal gains, jeopardising people welfare.

17 words

Open original scan

Page 52

Topper

Komal Punia

Subject & Paper

GS4GS2

Topic

Role of Civil Services in a Democracy

Corruption, Whistleblowing, and Ethical Accountability

Dilemma between Career Advancement and Moral Duty

Writing Stats

466

Total words

Paragraphs

analytical-case-based

Tone

Linked PYQ

Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu is known for its manufacturing clusters on firecrackers and matches. The local economy of the area is largely dependent on firecrackers industry. It has led to tangible economic development and improved standard of living in the area. So far as child labour norms for hazardous industries like firecrackers industry are concerned, International Labour Organization (ILO) has set the minimum age as 18 years. In India, however, this age is 14 years. The units in industrial clusters of firecrackers can be classified into registered and non-registered entities. One typical unit is household-based work. Though the law is clear on the use of child labour employment norms in registered/non-registered units, it does not include household-based works. Household-based work means children working under the supervision of their parents/relatives. To evade child labour norms, several units project themselves as household-based works but employ children from outside. Needless to say that employing children saves the costs for these units leading to higher profits to the owners. On your visit to one of the units at Sivakasi, the owner takes you around the unit which has about 10-15 children below 14 years of age. The owner tells you that in his household-based unit, the children are all his relatives. You notice that several children smirk, when the owner tells you this. On deeper enquiry, you figure out that neither the owner nor the children are able to satisfactorily establish their relationship with each other. Bring out and discuss the ethical issues involved in the above case. What would be your reaction after your above visit?

25M2013Discuss