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MAINS 2023/2024

ETHICS CASE
STUDIES
PRACTICE MODULE
Guidance and 35 Solved
Case Studies

BY - SUNYA IAS
**We have tried to keep this file updated and error-free
Corrections, if any will be notified later.
Dear Students,
Case Studies form an important part of our GS IV paper. The following points should be considered
while writing answers to it.

1. Reading the case study and understanding the key issues


2. Tactfully writing an apt answer

To help you all with it, we have given the links to the video course for approaching case studies
and understanding the underlying issues in the table below.

Sr No Topic Link
1 How to Approach Case Studies https://youtu.be/r9B9S-9tTL4
2 Disaster Management https://youtu.be/xiQdfVVv5TI
3 Environmental Issues https://youtu.be/rjcXHeelMfY
4 Administrative Issues https://youtu.be/8bGTTPS3CQs
5 Economic Issues https://youtu.be/dBLKvm3H4Uc
6 Social Issues https://youtu.be/lIwPSmZ8MAg
7 Technological Issues https://youtu.be/hg4onJxwFck
8 Corporate Governance Issues https://youtu.be/h4nAlh6LZJ0
9 Moral Dilemmas https://youtu.be/FJ8d37f633c

Do watch these videos to develop an holistic understanding on the topic.

PLEASE PRATICE BELOW CASE STUDIES & Try to Know more about the approach

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SECTION C: CASE STUDIES

CASE STUDIES BASED ON SOCIAL ISSUES ........................................................................ 3


CASE STUDIES BASED ON ECONOMIC ISSUES ................................................................. 7
CASE STUDIES BASED ON INDIVIDUAL MORALITY/MORAL DILEMMAS ............ 14
CASE STUDIES BASED ON PUBLIC SECTOR/ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES ................ 25
CASE STUDIES ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT ............................................................... 51
CASE STUDIES BASED ON TECHNOLOGY ....................................................................... 73
CASE STUDIES BASED ON INTERNATIONAL ETHICS .................................................. 75

* Students: Use List of Ethical Premises and Keywords given at each section to substantiate
your course of action in case study.

THIS file is for PRACTICE, FOR CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING, Please join our
DEDICATED CASE STUDIES BATCH – Available in both ONLINE & OFFLINE MODE.

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CASE STUDIES BASED ON SOCIAL ISSUES

Ethical Premises and Keywords:


Social exclusion Humanitarian conflicts Capability approach
Peace and harmony Gender sensitivity Rawls idea of justice
Moral ambivalence Tolerance Gender justice
Sensitivity Prejudice Deontology and Teleology
Stereotyping Gandhi’s Talisman Veil of ignorance
Cultural sensitivity Principle of Sacroscency of life Eudaimonia of Aristotle
Madhyam marg (Buddha) Kant’s Categorical imperative Emotional Intelligence
Antyodaya Rousseau’s social contract Good Samaritan
Nishkam Karma Dignity of life Natural justice

Case Study 1:
Rampura, a remote district inhabited by a tribal population, is marked by extreme
backwardness and abject poverty. Agriculture is the mainstay of the local population, though it
is primarily subsistence due to the very small land holdings. There is insignificant industrial or
mining activity. Even the targeted welfare programs have inadequately benefitted the tribal
population. In this restrictive scenario, the youth has begun to migrate to supplement the family
income. Plight of minor girls is that their parents are persuaded by the labour contractors to
send them to work in Bt cotton farms of a nearby state. The soft fingers of the minor girls are
well suited for plucking the cotton. The inadequate living and working conditions in these farms
have caused serious health issues for the minor girls. NGOs in the district domicile and the cotton
farms appear to be compromised and have not effectively espoused twin issues of child labour
and development of the area.

You are appointed as the District Collector of Rampura. Identify the ethical issues involved.
Which specific steps will you initiate to ameliorate the conditions of minor girls of your district
and to improve the overall economic scenario in the district? (250 words)

Introduction:
Underdeveloped regions of the country have remained poor and economically backward because of
low rate of capital accumulation as compared with the growth of population. As a result, capital per
worker is very small and therefore his productivity is low. This gives rise to the vicious circle of
poverty which is an important cause of persistent underdevelopment.

Ethical issues in this case


• Negligence by the state: The issues of tribal population in the district of Rampura is in
contradictionof the principles laid out in the constitution for protection of tribal groups
• Profit-minded contractors: They knowingly employ these minor girls illegally for making
moreprofits at the cost of their education and health
• Parental injustice: Parents, though they are in an economically bad situation, employing their
children, especially girls, in such jobs where there is a danger to their health is unethical
• Violates basic human rights of children: Right to education (Article 21A), right to health
(Article20) etc. are violated due to the negligence of the state, parents and contractors

Steps to ameliorate the condition of minor girls


1. In short term:
• Involve law enforcement agencies to investigate and take necessary actions against
contractorswho are engaged in child labour

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• Provide immediate health check up for the girls who have shown the symptoms of ill health
• Provide proper counselling session to the girls and their parents regarding the importance
ofhaving a healthy childhood and proper schooling
• Coordinate with NGOs and provide them with enough legal support to ensure that girl
childrenare going to the school
2. In long term:
• Create awareness among parents and children about the importance of education and how
itwill help them overcome the issue of poverty
• Build proper health and education infrastructure in the district for the children and adults
• Ensure schemes like Mid-day meal schemes in the local schools to keep the students in
theschool
• Ensure maximum punishment to the contractors engaged in child labour in order to deter
themfrom repeating the crime

Steps to improve the overall economic condition of the district


1. In short term:
• Ensure implementation of poverty alleviation programmes such as Har Ghar Bijli Yojana,
PM Sadak Yojna etc. in the district to circumvent the issues of poverty
• Ensure that Antyodaya Anna Yojana is properly implemented in the district so that no one
ishungry due to the lack of food
• Basic infrastructure projects will generate new jobs in the district that can keep the youth in
the district.
2. In long term:
• Consolidation of landholding can be done by forming small farmers consortium to dodge
thetrap of subsistence farming
• In order to reduce the migration of youth from the district, introduce schemes like
RURBANwhich can provide urban amenities in rural areas
• Provide basic amenities like electricity, road connectivity, clean and safe drinking
water,telecom and online connectivity to improve the choices of people in the district
• Short-terms loans can be given to the youth of the district to start small businesses
• Study has to be conducted about the viability of introducing secondary and tertiary
businessesin the village keeping the benefit of villagers in mind

Conclusion:
Receiving a good foundation in education is essential to succeed later on in life. Regardless of one’s
career choice, the skills learned in school are important devices in communication and personal
development. For many tribal children, attending schools regularly and learning to read and write is a
way to impact their future and help put an end poverty in tribal India.

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Case Study: 2
The tribal-populated isolated district of Balrampur is characterised by extreme backwardness and
obscene poverty. Balrampur suffered from one of the highest dropout rates at the primary level because
the few high schools that were there were located quite far from the villages of the students. The local
population relies heavily on agriculture, albeit it ismostly subsistence farming because of the extremely
modest land holdings. There is hardly any mining or industrial activity. Even the focused welfare
programmes have not sufficientlybenefited the tribal population. The young have started moving to
other states to support the family income under this constrictive circumstance. The plight of young
girls is that their parents are pressured by labour contractors to put them to work in a nearby tea
plantations. For the young girls working in these farms, the poor living and working conditions have
resulted in major health problems. NGOs in the region seem to be compromised and have not
effectively advocated for the dual challenges of child labour and local development.

You are appointed as the District Collector of Balrampur. Identify the ethical issues involved. Which
specific steps will you initiate to ameliorate the conditions of minor girls of your district and to improve
the over-all economic scenario in the district?

Introduction:
Underdeveloped regions of the country have remained poor and economically backward because of
low rate of capital accumulation as compared with the growth of population. As a result, capital per
worker is very small and therefore his productivity is low. This gives rise to the vicious circle of
poverty which is an important cause of persistent underdevelopment.

Stakeholders:
• Local population: Tribal population of Balrampur had been under poverty and backwardness
for so long
• Minor girls: Future of these girls are permanently being destroyed due to the lack of basic
necessities like education and health
• Government: Government is failing to complete its constitutional directives when rampant
violation of rights against minor girls are still a reality
• Contractors of cotton farms: They use these girls to make profit as they have to pay less
tothe child labourers
• District Collector of Balrampur: As the agent of the government, it is upon the shoulders
ofthe collector to break the plight of these minor girls and their families

Ethical issues involved in this case are as follows


• Negligence by the state: The issues of tribal population in the district of Balrampur is
incontradiction of the principles laid out in the constitution for protection of tribal groups
• Profit-minded contractors: They knowingly employ these minor girls illegally for making
more profits at the cost of their education and health
• Parental injustice: Parents, though they are in an economically bad situation, employing their
children, especially girls, in such jobs where there is a danger to their health is unethical
• Violates basic human rights of children: Right to education (Article 21A), right to health
(Article 20) etc. are violated due to the negligence of the state, parents and contractors

Steps to ameliorate the condition of minor girls


1. Short term measures:
• Strict enforcement of law: Involve law enforcement agencies to investigate and take
necessary actions against contractors who are engaged in child labour
• Health checkup: Provide immediate health checkup for the girls who have shown the

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symptoms of ill health
• Counselling session: Provide proper counselling session to the girls and their parents
regarding the importance of having a healthy childhood and proper schooling
• Involving NGOs: Coordinate with NGOs and provide them with enough legal support
toensure that girl children are going to the school
2. Long term measures:
• Awareness generation: Create awareness among parents and children about the
importance of education and how it will help them overcome the issue of poverty
• Social infrastructure: Build proper health and education infrastructure in the district for
the children and adults
• Reduce drop-out rate: Ensure schemes like Mid-day meal schemes in the local schools
tokeep the students in the school
• Action against child labour: Ensure maximum punishment to the contractors engaged
inchild labour in order to deter them from repeating the crime

Steps to improve the overall economic condition of the district


1. Short term measures:
• Poverty eradication programmes: Ensure implementation of poverty alleviation
programmes such as Har Ghar Bijli Yojana, PM Sadak Yojna etc. in the district to
circumvent the issues of poverty
• Eradicate hunger from the district: Ensure that Antyodaya Anna Yojana is properly
implemented in the district so that no one is hungry due to the lack of food
• Infrastructure projects: Basic infrastructure projects such as roads, dams, bridges, etc.
will generate new jobs in the district that can keep the youth in the district.
2. Long term measures:
• Land consolidation: Consolidation of landholding can be done by forming small
farmersconsortium to dodge the trap of subsistence farming
• Reduce rural-urban divide: In order to reduce the migration of youth from the district,
introduce schemes like RURBAN which can provide urban amenities in rural areas
• Provide basic amenities like electricity, road connectivity, clean and safe drinking
water,telecom and online connectivity to improve the choices of people in the district
• Financial help in the form of short-terms loans can be given to the youth of the district
tostart small businesses
• Business viability check: Study has to be conducted about the viability of introducing
secondary and tertiary businesses in the village keeping the benefit of villagers in mind

Conclusion:
Receiving a good foundation in education is essential to succeed later on in life. Regardless of one’s
career choice, the skills learned in school are important devices in communication and personal
development. For many tribal children, attending schools regularly and learning to read and write is a
way to impact their future and help put an end poverty in tribal India.

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CASE STUDIES BASED ON ECONOMIC ISSUES

Ethical Premises and Keywords


Inclusive growth Long term costs Wealth Without Work.
Equity Base erosion and profit sharing Nepotism
Tainted money Layering Financial viability
Universal basic income Money laundering Commerce Without Morality
Monetary and non-monetary Tax avoidance and Tax evasion Systemic issues
incentives
Externalities Trusteeship PPP model
Corporate greed vs corporate Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas Principle of Equity
responsibility
Cost benefit ratio Developmental ethics Prudence

Case Study: 3
You are a bank manager in a rural area and have a seniority in experience in the job. A poor
farmer, who has been a long-time customer of the bank, has approached you seeking a loan
restructuring. The farmer's crops were destroyed due to heavy rainfall and he is now unable to repay
his loans, putting his family's financial stability, including education of his 3 children, in jeopardy.

The banking sector in India is facing a growing number of non-performing assets (NPAs), and the
bank management is under significant pressure to reduce these assets. The repayment of loans is
critical for the overall financial stability of the banking sector, and the bank's failure to recover the
loans from the farmer could have far-reaching consequences.
In this scenario, you are faced with a dilemma of balancing the bank's duty to act in the best
interest of its shareholders and the farmer's right to dignity and a fair chance to repay his loans.
The farmer is a long-time customer of the bank and has a good reputation, but his inabilityto
repay the loans could harm the bank's financial stability.
Furthermore, the situation is made more difficult by the fact that farmer suicides due to financial
difficulties are a growing problem in the country, and your decision could have life or death
consequences for the farmer and his family.

In considering these ethical considerations, it is essential to make a decision that is in line with the
bank's ethical standards and values, taking into account well-being of all parties involved. The
complexity of situation requires a thoughtful and nuanced approach, making it a challenging task.
(a) Given this scenario, what are the ethical considerations, values and ethical standards that
should guide the decision-making process? Discuss.
(b) What are the choices available before you and evaluate all of them and suggest the best
course of action, giving your reasons for it.

Introduction:
Above case presents the classic dilemma of a Rural Area Bank Manager where he finds himself in
crossroads of fire as he needs to uphold the interests of the Bank and its stakeholders, and at the same
time, he needs to have an empathetic outlook towards a farmer who is a longtime customer asking
fora loan structuring. The problem has become even more complicated due to the rising spate of farmer
suicides all across the country.
Non-performing asset (NPA) is a loan or advance for which the principal or interest payment remained
overdue for a period of 90 days.

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Ethical considerations, values and standards that should guide the decision-making process:
• The Utilitarian Approach: It follows the principle of most good or that which does the least harm,
(Produces the greatest value of good over harm). It calls for Minimum harm which means that the
lifeof farmer must be protected if he may, in future takes the unfortunate step of suicide.
• The Rights Approach: The ethical action is the one that best protects and respects the moral
rights of those affected. Herein, the rights of both are important, putting extra weight on
farmers' side since one can bear financial loss, however loss of human life can never be attained
even at the cost of money of the whole world.
• The Fairness Approach: Treat all equals equally (Aristotle). If not, have a defensible
standard. Here all the stakeholders needed to be treated equitably, at the same time being
mindful of their concerns.
• The Common Good Approach: Life in a community is good in itself. Interlocking
relationships of society are the basis of ethical reasoning. The relationship between the bank
and the farmer is important since he has been a valuable customer of the Bank.
• The Virtue Approach: Ethical actions ought to be consistent with certain ideal virtues that
provide for the development of our humanity. It calls for taking steps which make us a better
human calling on us to be impartial, at the same time having compassion.
• Financial Viability vs Loss of a Good customer and keeping his life in jeopardy: The case also
has a Value Conflict where one has to balance between the financial gains vs Probable Loss of Life.

Various Choices Available before me:


1. Ignoring Farmer's Concern and Coercing him to Pay the Loan:
• Merits:
o Upholding Financial Viability: It will lead to the financial stability of the bank since
Banks may not afford to restructure the loan due to the vision to decrease such assets.
o Fulfillment of Management Concerns: It will keep me in good books of the Senior
Management as their directives are being fulfilled to the best way possible.
• Demerits:
o Loss of a Long Time Customer: It will lead to the probable loss of a Permanent
Customer having significant impact on the future profitability of banks
o Probable Loss of Life and Putting a Family in a Jeopardy: It will also lead to the
hampering of education of the children and also the case when the farmer may commit
suicide given the dire strait situation in which he find himself.
2. Neglect of Financial Viability and Giving him an opportunity of Loan Restructuring:
• Merits:
o Gaining the Trust and Keeping a Permanent Customer: It will lead to retaining a
permanent customer who may help in the profit of banks in future.
o Saving The Loss of A probable life and Keeping his children Education going:
Welfare of the family will be done and Probable saving of life which is more important
than Financial Viability given the complexity of the situation.
• Demerits
o Financial Unviability: The step will lead to hampering of the banking finances and
may be a stern rebuke from the senior management for keeping bank's interest at a
lower pedestal.
o Set a Bad Precedent: It may set a bad precedent where in future many such cases erupt
which will lead to a huge loss of the banks and may get bankrupt.
3. Giving him an Opportunity for loan Restructuring may be at a little higher interest ratewhile
at the same time giving some guidelines on how to make the best use of Finances

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• Merits:
o Giving him a Cushion to make his Financial Affairs in Order: It will give him an
opportunity to mend his affairs, and at the same time help him to save his life.
o Bank will get money, however at a later time: It will also give the bank ‘money, albeit
at a later date and also more since the interest rate is on the higher side.
• Demerits:
o Facing the Pressure of the Bank Management: It will lead me to face the weather of the
Senior Management as I had put the bank's affair on some jeopardy.
o Financial Viability will be sabotaged, for a short time: The issue of the NPA may get
overburdened and May lead to significant loss for the bank.

I will be choosing Option 3 due to following reasons:


• Bank's Probability to get the Money is Delayed but Not Denied: It will lead to earning of money
by the banks at a delayed time which will help the financial Viability Restructured after some time.
• Higher Interest Rate may fetch some Extra Money which may do good for the bank in future:
It will require some amount of strong will by the banks, as it can lead to the loss turnedinto gain
at an opportune time.
• Saving of Permanent and Long Time Customer: It will go a long way in maintaining an image
that is customer friendly and customer centric leading to larger profits in the long run.
• The Life of the Farmer will be Safe and Education of the Children will be Safe: It will be
Moral Boost to the banks that this step can bring an imperative change in the life of a family which
may emerge string than ever and pay every penny to the bank and be a long time Assetto the
bank.

Conclusion:
It is true that NPAs have placed a huge burden on the state exchequer, however it's also true that farmer
suicides is something that will rupture the social and moral fabric of the society. Loanrestructuring along
with a time bound framework to pay the remaining amount is the need of the hour so as to make sure that
money at least gets paid and the situation of farmer improves from jeopardy to jovialness.

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Case Study 4:
You are the Chairman of a Committee, constituted by the government, to suggest measures to
address the issues regarding the shortage of coal in the country. According to the geological survey,
you came to know that north eastern states like Meghalaya and Assam have huge reserves. You
know that India is still dependent on coal for its electricity generation and even coal exporting
countries have increased prices of coal to maximise their profit to coverup losses incurred due to
covid 19 pandemic. Coal shortage will not only impact economy but also society.

In your research, you found out that to explore mines in northeast India, the government needs to
create huge Infrastructure. It not only incur high cost, but also it will face opposition from the hilly
people as they fear that MNCs will exploit their resources. There is high prevalence of illegal coal
mining especially in north- eastern states like Meghalaya, which is also contributing to the coal crisis
in the country. And also, workers are subjected to inhumane working conditions with very little
safety measures in place. Accidents, where workers are trapped and died, are often in news. Even
NGT has ordered to shut down all the mines operating in north-eastern states considering the harm
done to humans and environment. You also came to know about the evil nexus between politicians
and miners which is affecting the availability of coal.
Further, local people in the region have no alternative options for employment except working in
such mines and the Government also needs coal for development and that is why they are not taking
strict measures to shut down these mines.

As the chairman of the committee:


• Find out the ethical issues involved in the above case.
• Recommend steps required for pursuing hilly peoples for development coal mines.
• Considering ethical issues, suggest measures to develop coal mining sectors in the region.
• As a chairman of the committee what will be your final recommendations considering all the
above information?

Introduction: Recently, India faced power crisis as thermal power plants were left with very limited
stocks on coal. Increase in global coal prices, limited domestic coal supply was the reasons behind it.

Stakeholders:
• Mine Workers: Mine workers are working in inhume conditions due to lack of employment
opportunity in the region.
• Myself: As the Chairman of the committee, it is my responsibility to achieve the given task in
most sustainable manner.
• Local population: They are against of MNC due to its exploitative nature.
• Outside society: They are seeking quick resolution of coal crisis to prevent economic loss.

Ethical issues:
• Threat to environment: Increasing production from existing coal mines will contribute to the air
pollution.
• Inhumane working condition: coal mines have very poor working condition which is hazardous
to the human health.
• Inequitable development: coal mines lead to profiteering of the big businessmen at the cost of
local population. Local population are not part of development.
• Illegal action: asking production from the illegal coal mines would be illegal as it has been shut
down by national green tribunal.
• Poor efficiency: opening up of new mines would be very expensive and doesn't provide return to
investors.

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• Corruption: Existing corruption in current mines have affected the production in coal mines.
• Dignity of individual: Not supplying coal from the coal mines would lead to power cut affecting
right to live with dignity.

Steps required for pursuing hilly people:


• Skill development: Skill development of hilly people would be taken up to make them part of coal
mines.
• Social impact assessment: social impact assessment would be taken up to asses the impact on
land holders as well on landless farmers and provide proper compensation.
• Awareness: Making hilly area aware that these coal mines would provide job opportunity and
educational opportunity for the children.
• Engaging leaders: Local leaders would be roped in to convince the hilly people about the need of
coal mines and its benefit for their future.
• Control of gram sabha: Ensuring that in all the decisions related to coal mines,gram sabha of
local region is actively involved.

Measures to develop coal mines in the region :


• Underground mines: All the mines would be deep underground mines and no open cast mines
would be allowed to protect the environment.
• Human Resource practices: global best practices of the human resources would be applied to
check the inhumane conditions.
• Introducing safety measures: Safety measures as per the statutory requirement would be made
mandatory to sell any coal to power plants.
• Action against corrupt officials: strict action against corruption officials would be taken up to
ensure effective implementation of guidelines.
• Skill development: skill development of local population would be taken up to ensure higher
productivity and safety.
• Regularisation of illegal mines: illegal mines should be regularised through proper Channel as it
can address the ongoing crisis and has local acceptance.

Final recommendations:
• Regularisation of illegal mines: illegal mines should be looked to be regularised if they agree to
the safe practices.
• Developing new mines: new mines must be auctioned to private player for quick generation of
coals.
• Skill development: skill development of local population must be taken to make them employable.
• Developing infrastructure: infrastructure in North east must be developed at high priority to
tackle such problems in future.
• Using Technology: Best technology must be used in the mines to ensure safety of workers.
• Continuous exploration: future coal mines need to be continuously explored and developed
keeping the interest of local community in mind.
• District mineral fund: royalty from coal mines must be spent on development of local area.

Conclusion
If properly developed and regulated, coal mines have the potential to provide long term sustainable
employment for the remote location population. Government must seek local participation with the latest
technology to ensure smooth operations of coal mines.

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Case Study: 5
You were appointed the director of tourism department for a state in India that is home to numerous
significant historical sites. It has been brought to your notice that the number of tourists visiting the
state has decreased during the last few years. When you inquire, you learn that the impact of touts
and the harassment of tourists—including unwanted advances and wildly exorbitant prices for
various services—are mostly to blame for this decline. You also conducted a brief check on popular
travel advisory websites about your state and discovered that it has a questionable reputation for
being particularly risky for femaletourists.
Last month, one local resident was arrested for stalking and then assaulting a female tourist.
Repeated instances of violence against women, especially tourists, and inability of police to crack
down on such crime, have been listed as one of reasons for dip in tourism arrival numbers according
to Travel and Tourism Association of state, in its representation to the government.
(a) Do you believe that this situation can be attributable to the general insensitivity of society?
How can thelocals become more accommodating to visitors?
(b) Suggest some recommendations for quick reputational turnarounds, job creation, and
restoration ofthe state's standing as a haven for tourists.

Introduction:
Tourism is a vital industry, as it generates significant revenues and creates jobs. As the director of the tourism
department for a state in India, it is important to ensure that the state is able to attract and retain visitors. However,
it has been brought to my attention that the number of tourists visiting the state has decreased in recent years
dueto a variety of reasons, including the impact of touts and harassment of tourists, as well as safety concerns
for female tourists.

Yes, I believe that the situation can be attributable to the general insensitivity of society. Here are six
reasons why:
• Touts and harassment: Touts and other individuals who harass tourists, including making unwanted
advances and charging exorbitant prices for services, contribute to a negative perception of the state
and can make visitors feel unwelcome.
• Violence against women: Instances of violence against women, particularly tourists, can create a sense
offear and insecurity among potential visitors and make the state appear unsafe.
• Inability of police to crack down on crime: If the local police are seen as unable or unwilling to
effectively address crimes such as stalking and assault, it can further contribute to the perception that
the state is unsafe.
• Negative reputation on travel advisory websites: If the state has a questionable reputation on popular
travel advisory websites, it can further discourage potential visitors.
• Stereotypes and biases: Societal stereotypes and biases towards certain groups of people, like women,
can contribute to culture of insensitivity and hostility towards visitors of these groups.
• Lack of education or awareness: A lack of education or awareness about the importance of tourism
andthe impact of negative behavior on the industry can contribute to insensitivity towards tourists and
their needs.

Ways for locals to become appealing to visitors


• Increase in Security Measures: By increasing the number of police patrols and surveillance cameras
in tourist areas, the state can ensure the safety and security of tourists, which will make them feel more
welcome and comfortable.
• Sensitization Programs for Locals: The state can conduct sensitization programs for locals to educate
them about the importance of tourism and how to treat tourists with respect and hospitality. This can
be done through workshops, seminars, and other training programs.

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Ways for locals to become more appealing to visitors:
• Increase in Security Measures: By increasing the number of police patrols and surveillance cameras
in tourist areas, the state can ensure the safety and security of tourists, which will make them feel more
welcome and comfortable.
• Sensitization Programs for Locals: The state can conduct sensitization programs for locals to educate
them about the importance of tourism and how to treat tourists with respect and hospitality. This can
be done through workshops, seminars, and other training programs.
• Tackling Touts and Harassment: The state can take strict measures to tackle the problem of touts
and harassment of tourists by imposing heavy fines and penalties on those found guilty. This will send
a strongmessage to others that such behavior will not be tolerated.
• Encourage Responsible Tourism: The state can encourage locals to participate in responsible tourism
practices by promoting sustainable tourism and preserving the local culture and heritage.
• Creating a Positive Image: State can work on creating a positive image of state by highlighting its
attractions and cultural heritage through effective marketing and advertising campaigns.
• Provide Accurate Information: The state can provide accurate information to tourists about the state,
including the best places to visit, local customs, and how to avoid any potential risks.
• Ensure Quality Services: The state can ensure that tourists receive quality services by monitoring the
facilities and services provided by hotels, restaurants, and other service providers. This will help to
maintain the reputation of the state as a tourist destination.
• Encourage Tourist Feedback: The state can encourage tourists to give feedback about their
experience in the state. This will help the state to identify any problems and take necessary steps to
improve the overallexperience for tourists.

Recommendations for quick reputational turnarounds, job creation, and restoration of the state's
standingas a haven for tourists:
• Increase Visitor Safety: Develop and implement strategies to ensure the safety of tourists, particularly
women, through better law enforcement and community engagement. This could include increasing patrols
in tourist areas, setting up emergency hotlines, and creating a system for reporting and addressing incidents
of harassment or violence.
• Address Touts and Price Gouging: Develop and enforce regulations to address the issue of touts and
exorbitant prices for services. This could include setting up a system for reporting and investigating
complaints, as well as providing education and training for local businesses on fair pricing practices.
• Improve Infrastructure: Invest in improving infrastructure, such as roads, public transportation, and
accommodations, to make it easier for tourists to navigate and enjoy state's historical sites.
• Promote Cultural Sensitivity: Develop and promote cultural sensitivity training for local businesses, tour
guides, and other service providers to ensure they are providing a welcoming and respectful environment
for all tourists.
• Create Job Opportunities: Develop and support local businesses and initiatives that will create job
opportunities for locals, particularly in the tourism industry, to help boost the local economy and reduce
poverty.
• Promote Positive Images: Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing campaign to promote the
state's historical sites and cultural heritage, and counter negative images of the state as unsafe or
unwelcoming.
• Encourage Responsible Tourism: Encourage and promote responsible tourism practices among visitors,
such as respecting local customs and avoiding negative impacts on the environment and local communities.
• Collaborate with Stakeholders: Collaborate with key stakeholders, such as local government officials,
tourism industry representatives, and community leaders, to develop and implement strategies for
improving the state's reputation as a tourist destination.

In order to address these issues and restore the state's reputation as a haven for tourists, it is crucial to take
swift and effective action. By addressing the issues and highlighting the state's many historical and cultural
attractions,tourist department can work to attract more tourists, create jobs, and boost the local economy.

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CASE STUDIES BASED ON INDIVIDUAL MORALITY/MORAL DILEMMAS

Ethical Premises and Keywords:


Doctrine of double effect Social and cultural equality Initiative taking
Empathy, compassion Crisis of conscience Rationality and scientific temper
Dignity of life Right intention Fraternity
Higher truth Role model Virtue ethics
Dispassionate and Detached Doctrine of slippery slope Common good approach
decisions
Grey area 3532Moral suasion Egalitarianism
Moral hazard Ethical altruism Inner voice, natural voice

Case Study: 6
As the chancellor of a well-respected university, you are faced with a complex and delicate situation that
is attracting nationwide attention. A group of students have accused a senior professor of showing
prejudice against students from lower castes and treating them differently in the classroom, making them
feel marginalized and unwelcome.

These allegations have caused widespread concern and have led to student protests on campus. The
situation has gained the attention of political leaders and interest groups, adding additional pressure to
resolve the issue quickly and effectively. Meanwhile, the media has picked up on the story, and it has
become a matter of national and even international news, with the potential to damage India's image and
reputation. This situation highlights the challenging nature of prejudice in the academic setting and the
need to balance the interests and perspectives of all parties involved, including the students, the professor,
the university, and the broader public.

The professor in question has been a valued member of the faculty for many years and has an excellent
reputation as a knowledgeable and dedicated teacher. However, the students' complaint suggests that the
professor has made discriminatory remarks and treated students unfairly, causing them to feel
marginalized and unwelcome.
(a) How should you respond to the students' complaint about the professor?
(b) How can you ensure that all students are treated fairly and without prejudice, regardlessof
their background?
(c) What steps should you take to address the professor's behavior, if it is found to be
discriminatory or prejudiced?
(d) How can you navigate the political and public pressure and make a decision that is in the
best interests of the university and its students?

Introduction:
Even after 75 years of independence, the marginalized communities of the society like lower castes and
Dalits have been facing persistent discrimination. Above case study presents a picture in which a group
of students have complained against a reputed senior Professor of practicing discrimination against
students of lower castes which has led to student protest and media sensationalization of the issue

Stakeholders Involved:
• Students: They have the right to be treated equally and impartially by all irrespective of caste,
race, religion as per Article 15 ( Absence of Discrimination on the grounds of Caste, Race,
Religion, Sex or Place of Birth).
• The Professor: He is a Reputed Senior Professor and a valuable member of the faculty, however
one cannot be given free hand to propagate discriminatory behavior.
• The University: It is of fundamental importance that the respect and the values of the University

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comes at the top which if broken, will be met with stern discipline.
• Society: The public looks at an institution with the respect and the wider reach along with morals
of equality, honesty, and integrity.

Respond to the students' complaints about the professor in the following ways:
• Form an Internal Complaints Committee: It will lead to a proper investigation of the issueto
find out the truth so as to take future course of action in line with the values of the University
• Have an Interaction with the students and the Professor: Herein, one can listen to the
grievances of the students and at the same time ask the professor about the sanctity of the
statements of the students and later confirm with the committee.
• Acting on the findings of the Committee with Impartiality and Integrity: After independent
investigation into the issue, it becomes a moral responsibility to take action in linewith the reports,
howsoever one may have thought at the beginning and remove any personal Prejudice.

I will ensure that all students are treated fairly and without prejudice, regardless of their
background:
• Awareness Campaigns and Seminar: It will lead to more knowledge and the importance of
treating all students equitable in a fair and objective manner, on the basis of the ground that all are
human (Categorical Imperative of Human Dignity).
• Conducting games, quiz and sports events so that all students get to mingle with each other:
These type of events will induct a sense of cooperation, collaboration, coordination and
camaraderie between the students leading to induction of values which allow them to see every
student from the lens of equality.
• Strict standards for those who are found to be not following those values and discriminating
among others: However, still there might be some who may try to create ruckus which then needs
to be treated with a stick. The Carrot and Stick Policy has to be usedin case of non-following of
the guidelines.

Steps that should be taken to address the professor's behavior, if it is found to be discriminatory or
prejudiced:
• Adhering to the “RULE OF LAW”: It will propagate the idea that no one is above the law. It callson
to suspend the professor with immediate effect as there is a strict violation of the norms.
• Keeping his behavior in Track: After his suspension, when he happens to join any other
organization, his behavior can be kept on track to give him a future opportunity as he is a dedicated
and experienced teachers.
• Providing Adequate Legal and Procedural Safeguards for the welfare of all students: It will
give students a sense of protection and welfare that they are protected against wrongdoingsof all.
• Public, Teacher and Officials Sensitisation: It will lead to more sensitivity and compassionate
mindset among the larger community to make sure that everyone feels comfortable and not
discriminated against.

Steps that should be taken to navigate the political and public pressure and make a decision thatis
in the best interests of the university and its students:
1. Short Term:
• Warning and Suspension of the Teacher: It will set a good Precedence and will make sure
that no such action is being taken in future and all students are being treated fairly and
impartially.
• Periodic Awareness Generation Campaigns and Seminars: It will instill values of
inclusivity, egalitarianism and equity along with consistent and constructive communication
building exercise.

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• Grievance Redressal Mechanism: Even after doing all the above, still there are some
disturbing elements in the society whose complaints need to be registered and for that this
mechanism should be put in place.
2. Long Term:
• Propagation of Ethical and Moral Values: Values and ethics form the moral fabric and
guiding light which needs to be propagated and instilled so that a society of people having
Moral and Intellectual Integrity can be formed.
• An Open and Forward looking Attitude of the Administration: It will make sure that
students and teachers, all can make sure that the administration is compassionate towards one
and all.
• Using Technology to keep connected with the Students, Teacher and the Officials: It will
allow all to be connected and make sure that the problems and solutions can be solved at a fast
pace.

Conclusion:
People affected by caste-based discrimination face significant challenges with respect to their enjoyment
of human rights. These challenges arise from a variety of legal, social, and structural barriers and
constructs, both historic and contemporary in nature. To address caste-based discrimination we must
tackle the broader social norms, perceptions, attitudes and beliefs that perpetuate and reinforce prejudices
and stereotypes of hierarchy, and accompanying forms of domination and exclusion that are endemic to
caste and other systems of inherited status.

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Case Study: 7
You are a graduate student in your fourth year at a prestigious university, and you are now finishing
up your physics thesis study. You are concerned about your upcoming appointment and have
applied for a number of postdoctoral jobs in this field as well as a number of assistant
professorships on the tenure track at the Universities where you want to work. You receive an
interview invitation for a tenure-track position at your college alma mater, a renowned research
institution in a place where you already have ties and would love to live, much to your surprise and
delight.

The department chair asks for specific details on the technique established in your graduate study
and extensively used in your experiments during the question-and- answer session. Your team is
drafting a patent application, but its members have promised to keep their work a secret until the
paper they are now writing is submitted for publication. In a few months, your thesis advisor will
deliver the technique's first significant presentation at a significant international conference. When
asked whether you would be willing to provide them an early preprint once it is available, you
respond that you and your co- workers are in the midst of writing it up for publication and a patent
application.
The question-and-answer session continues and comes to a smooth and amicable end. After the
seminar, in a one-on-one interview with you, the chair presses harder for this information, saying
that the department is looking for team players who are willing to share information with their
peers. He also makes reference to your graduate training and the need to demonstrate that you are
one of them in order to be considered for the position.
(a) What options do you have in this situation?
(b) What are the ethical dilemmas and conflicts of interest involved in this case?
(c) In such trying circumstances, what will be your response?
(250 words, 20marks)
Introduction:
The above case presents the conflict of interest situation where I have been being askedby department
chair to reveal specific details of the work in return for offering position. As the work is under patent
process, I have the responsibility to ensure the secrecy of the work until it gets published. In dealing with
this situation, I will be guided by integrity, fairness and non-partisanship.

Stakeholders:
• Myself (Graduate student): I have to ensure that the secrecy of the work is maintained until the
paper the team is writing is submitted for publication.
• Department chair: Asks for specific details on technique established, saying that the department
is looking for team players who share information with peers and also offered position in return.
• Colleagues in graduate lab: The team is drafting a patent application and promised to keep their
work as a secret.
• Thesis Advisor: In a few months, he will deliver the technique's first significant presentation at
an international conference.
• Graduating University: If I reveal the information to department chair in the interview, the
recognition to be given to my graduating University is affected.

Options Available to me in this Situation


• Giving chair the information that he requests, and not telling my group;
• Giving the chair the information and informing my group when I get back;
• Contacting my supervisor from the chair’s office to get his permission to share the information;
• Talking the chair out of his urgency in a tactful and yet convincing way, revealing only the brief
of the work and refusing to provide specific information.

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Ethical dilemmas and Conflict of Interests involved in the case
• Personal Vs Professional: Giving the information about the work to the chair will give personal
benefits in terms of position, but it is professionally wrong to disclose thedetails of the work.
• Voice of Conscience Vs Request of Department chair: It goes against myvoice of conscience
to reveal work which is under drafting stage for patent application.
• Short term Vs Long term: Conflict arises because keeping your word may in theshort term
preclude you being hired at the institution.
• Objectivity Vs Partisanship: Objectivity would require taking decision strictly on basis of
rationality while partisanship would ask me to share the information about the work.
• Personal relations Vs Ethical values: Giving specific information improve my relationship with
department chair but compromises my ethical values.
• Ends Vs Means: Getting the position by sharing the information helps to get theposition but the
means would be unethical.

My response to the situation:


Option 4 is the best option to go with. Reasons for the same are as follows:
• Maintain prior agreement: It will help to uphold my moral responsibility towards keeping up
the promise of maintaining secrecy of the information.
• Guided by voice of conscience: I will remain guided by voice of conscience and fulfill my
commitment to the team.
• Makes the department chair aware: By providing only the brief of the work done by the team
and denying specific information enable me to give answer to the department chair and at the
same time fulfill my ethical duty to not share the work.
• Team work is protected: The colleagues have worked very hard for establishing the technique.
By doing so, I would protect their work from being misused by others.
• Recognition to Graduating University: It gets the recognition for promoting the experiments in
its premises and a successful grant of patent will get due fame for the University.
• International recognition: Thesis advisor can deliver the technique's first significant presentation
at an international conference.
• May obtain Position: Giving brief of the work can also satisfy the department chair and aid me
in securing position while maintaining the confidentiality.

Conclusion:
Keeping my word may in the short term preclude me from being hired by the institution. But it would
demonstrate that I am a person of my words and it will be advantageous for my team if the course is
followed with conviction and integrity.

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Case Study: 8
You worked on a project investigating experimental procedures in microfluidics as a post graduate
student with a senior professor. The project is going smoothly, and you've even published some
preliminary findings. Your professor is currently working on a follow-up publication with a
colleague who is creating a theory to explain your findings. Your teammates are well aware that
you are not in sync with your professor. Your master degree will be awarded to you this spring.
You invited her out to dinner as a gesture of reconciliation and you also seek her advice in the future.
After a lengthy chat, you both depart for your own homes. She invites you to ride in her automobile
because your house is very near to her locality. On the way,she loses control of her vehicle and
collides with an elderly woman, who is severely hurt. Because you are the only eyewitness, the police
begin an investigation and cometo you for details. You are aware of this. You know that telling the
truth about your professor’s driving will ruin your career, even if it means she won't be on the duty
for some time. Bring out and discuss the ethical issues involved in the above case.
(a) What options do you have in this situation? Identify the ethical issuesinvolved in this scenario.
(b) What is your course of action and why?
(250 words, 20marks)

Introduction:
The professional life of an individual may create an ethical dilemma for individual where personal values
and professional life requirement often come at loggerheads. The above case presents the scenario where
I as a post graduate student is facing an ethical dilemma whether to tell the truth about the accident
committed by professor or not as it will ruin my career.

Stakeholders
• Myself: Not telling the truth about the accident committed by the professor will leadto crisis of
conscience for me.
• Senior professor: She is involved in an accident due to her reckless driving andexpecting a
favour from me to evade legal complications.
• Colleague: He/she is working with professor to create a theory to explain myfindings, for which
I was not given credit.
• Teammates: Teammates are well aware that I am not in sync with the professor.
• Elderly woman: She has been a victim of reckless driving of professor and is severely hurt.
• Police authorities: As I am the only eyewitness, they have come to me to get thetrue details
of the incident.

Options available to me in this situation:


• Hide the true details of the incident before police and protect the professor from legalaction and
also save my own career.
• Give an account of the honest account of the accident to the police authorities.
• Not cooperating with the police when information is sought by them.
• Try to escape from taking responsibility by being silent in the case.

Ethical issues involved:


• Unethical practice: Professor working on a follow-up publication without giving credit to post
graduate student (myself) for the contribution in the publication.
• Cooperation with wrongs: Although colleague is aware of the wrongdoing of professor in not
giving credit to the publisher, he/she cooperated with professor for follow-up publication.
• Truth vs Family of professor: Telling the truth to police authorities would bring havoc to the
family of the professor.
• Injustice to the victim: Not giving honest account of the accident to the police authorities will

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lead to injustice for the elderly woman.
• Dignity of professor: Fulfilling my duty as good citizen can jeopardize the life of the professor
and his dignity and respect forever.
• Violation of rule of law: Hiding the true details of the accident committed by professor may
safeguard my career but result in violation of rule of law. Further, not telling the truth means lack
of respect for rules, laws and authority.
• Safety of other road drivers: Saving the life of professor for professional benefits may jeopardize
the lives of other road drivers as she engages in continued reckless driving.

My course of action
• Tell the truth: I would tell the truth to the police officer about the accident committed by the
professor while driving the vehicle.
• Seek cooperation of professor: I would ask the professor to cooperate with the policemen for his
wrongdoings.
• Provide medical support to victim: I will help the elderly woman who is severely injured and
provide the first aid facility to get better.
• Talk to family of professor: I would inform the family of the professor and provide them with
necessary humanitarian support.
• Be composed: I would remain composed during the whole situation and manageit with
empathy towards all the stakeholders.
• Legal action: As an eyewitness, I will give all the details about the incident to police authorities
whenever required so that action is taken against professor as per existing laws.

Reasons
• No crisis of conscience: I would not let develop any crisis of conscience within myself and be
guided by my own values.
• Rule of law: The rule of law and equality before law is safeguarded and perpetrator ispunished.
• Protection of individual rights: The fundamental rights of the individual such as Right to life of
the elderly woman is secured.
• Safety of general public: By taking such action, the safety of general public is ensured and it may
also act as deterrent for others before committing accidents due to reckless driving.

Conclusion:
In every such situation, justice to the victim should be the priority over one’s career benefits. One should
act with courage for the benefit of society and should not hesitate to provide any information sought by
the police authorities for rendering due punishment for the violators of the law.

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Case Study 9:
Mr. Vikram Batra is not only army general but also a great warrior of a country. His one of the
duty is to inspire upcoming generation to serve the country. He will get an invitation to give lecture
in the National Defence Academy as the chief guest. He accepts the invitation to attend. But
unfortunately he and his wife along with 11 members will die in the helicopter crash, while on the
way to the academy for giving lecture. There is a huge clamour across the country regarding this
incident. The government will appoint a committee to investigate reasons behind the crash. You are
appointed as the head of the committee. In your investigation, you came to know that MI 21
maintenance personnel, who has 30 years of excellent track record and never made even the small
mistakes but had forgotten to check the functioning of light.

You came to know that due to the failure of light functionality accident took place. Your team
members say that we should not publish this issue as it is his first and last mistake as he is going to
retire in next days, and even say that “after all we are humans, we all commit mistakes.” In addition
to it, in your investigation you came to know that dependency on the old Russian helicopters make
India vulnerable to such accidents. You know that publishing true report will create unnecessary
controversy and raise questions on the functioning of entire defence system and defence relationship
with Russia. This will not only impart negative impression on defence but also discourage people to
take up this service. You will even get as official mail from the highest office of the country to let go
the incidence.

Considering about mentioned case study:


1. Examine the ethical issues involved in the case study
2. What options available to you? And what will you do?

Introduction:
Top class equipment and safety of their fliers are the foremost requirement of any defense of the country.
Equipment not only save the lives of people ,but provide the confidence to the user of its efficient working.

Stakeholders:
• Mr. Vikram Batra and 11 members: They died due to crash of a faulty helicopter.
• Myself: I am the chairperson of the fact finding committee and needs to resolve multiple ethical
dilemmas.
• MI 21 maintenance personnel: He is negligent of his duties and due to retirement in few days.
• Relationship with Russia: Raising questions on the poor quality of defense equipments from
Russia can weaken the relationship.
• Defense ecosystem: Any strong comment would lead to threatening of the whole defense
ecosystem.
• Public at large: Fault finding would deter the public from joining the services.

Ethical Issues:
• My Integrity: Any compromise with the given task will reflect badly on my integrity and lead to
crisis of conscience.
• Human Concern: Strong action against the maintenance personnel is against the human values
of mine as it was a first time mistake than a regular negligence.
• Wrong Precedent: Any lacklustre approach in my work will only set wrong precedent for the
future committees and defense personnel.
• Value for Money: Purchasing poor equipment from the foreign country is waste of the scarce
resources of the country.
• Truth: Any compromise with my action will deter truth from public at large which deserves it.

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• Framework of Accountability: Lacklustre approach on my behalf will only weaken the
accountability of defence personnel.
• Justice for dead: Bringing out the truth will be the only justice for the dead and anything else is
injustice.
• My own career: Recommending truth and fixing accountability can jeopardise my own future
career path.

Options available with me:


• Go Easy: I wont name the maintenance personnel and neither bring out the condition of faulty
equipment rather hold it as one time mistake.
• Name the Maintenance Personnel: I would put the whole blame on the maintenance personnel
thus fixing the accountability but ensuring my own career too.
• Delay in finding : I would delay the committee findings and let the issue die out on its own which
will ensure that nobody bears the burnt but I bring out the truth.
• Put whole thing in domain: I will put the whole findings in detail in the committee
recommendations and provide a detailed report.

My Action:
• Put whole thing in domain: I will mention the details of faulty equipments, mistake of the
maintenance personnel and poor quality from Russia in committee report.
• Highlight proper role: My role would be to properly demarcate the role played by mistake of
maintenance personnel and role of the faulty equipment.
• Highlight the concern: In my report, I will clearly highlight the work ethics shown by the
maintenance personnel for last 30 years than considering only this incident

Conclusion:
As the chairmen of committee, my role would be to bring the harsh truth of the incident to the world. It
will not only fix the accountability and bring the justice to the dead but also ensure that such incidents are
not repeated in the future.

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Case Study: 10
You are the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The WFI is planning to convene
a selection panel shortly under your chairmanship for selection of the best athlete/wrestler to
represent India in the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympics in 74kgfreestyle wrestling championship. A few
days before the final selection, you get a call from the Personal Secretary (PS) of a senior
government minister seeking your intervention in favour of the selection of a close relative of the
minister for thisparticular category. There are only two contenders for this category.

The first contender is the Indian to win two individual Olympic medals. He has been also awarded
with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna – India's highest honour for sportspersons. Whereas the second
contender (relative of the minister) belongs to the constituency of the minister and has only won
championships at State levels. The PS also informs you that he is aware of the long pending and
urgent proposals of your federation for grant of funds for modernization, which are awaiting the
minister's approval. He assures you that he would get these proposals cleared.
1. What are the options available to you?
2. Evaluate each of these options and choose the option which you would adopt, givingreasons.

Introduction:
This case study attempts to highlight the issue of favoritisms and seeking personal favor through the use
of public office in order to benefit a close relative. It is also trying to deal with how one’s lure of
achievement goes through different phases of means, which could be multifaceted.

Options available:
• First option: Accepting the proposal of Personal secretary as it would behelpful in passing of
the long pending and urgent proposals of my federation for grant of funds for modernization, which
are awaiting the minister's approval
• Second option: Denying the proposal of the personal secretary to give chance to the first
contender who has already won two individual Olympic medals and proved himself in the past for
which has been also awarded with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna – India's highest honors for
sportspersons.

Evaluation of options:
1. Opting Option 1
• Merit: Accepting the proposal of Personal secretary would benefit my federation, which could
be a better decision for the current and future athletes because a modernized federation would
have modern equipment and other facilities that would help athletes in training and make their
performance technically sounder and get them ready for international competitions
• Demerit: Accepting proposal means favoring one who is less deserving at the cost of
individuals merit and hard work.
2. Opting option 2
• Merit: It would lead to fairness and meritocracy-based selection.
• Demerit: Denying the personal secretary's proposal, may cause the proposal of grants for the
federation to be delayed and may enrage the Minister involved, which could be harmful to both
the federation and the athletes but it will ensure fair selection in present and future.

On evaluating both above scenarios I would choose Option 2 and reason for the same are as follows:
1. Promoting fairness: As a President of Federation my responsibility is to uphold the openness and
selecting the correct person for the betterment of sport and country as a whole.
2. Respecting hard work: Instead of favoring someone who has done less hard work, I would award
the person who has sweat so much in the practice throughout his life.

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3. Justice to the deserving candidate: Through selecting the first candidate, who is more capable
than the second one, as per the case study, because he has already provedhimself in the past.
4. Supporting right aptitude and merit: As a president my job is to support right aptitude and
meritocracy.
• Example - Recently, BCCI gave chance to young Umran Mallick on the basis of IPL
performance is a sheer example of selection based on meritocracy.
5. Supporting non-partisanship: Through ruling out favoritism, and not selecting contender
(relative of the minister) who belongs to the constituency of the minister and has only won
championships at State levels.
• Example- tenure of President A.P.J Abdul Kalam can be taken as the example of non-
partisanship.
6. Upholding openness: As a president, I will choose my athletes based on objective criteria, without
favoritism.

Conclusion:
On evaluating all the above scenarios, I must try to uphold the openness and fairness in myfederation and
should set a good precedent for all at federation level and in the mind of the minister that giving
opportunities to the right candidate should be the main aim of any non-partisan person who is holding any
public office.

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CASE STUDIES BASED ON PUBLIC SECTOR/ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

Keywords
Spirit of rules and Obedience to directives Cognitive dissonance Layers of hierarchy
regulations
Data inconsistencies in Dishonourable Commission of crime Non-compliance
identification of termination
beneficiaries
Lack of grievance Code of Conduct and Blow the whistle Rent seeking
redressal Code of Ethics
Chalta hai attitude Dereliction of duty Departmental silos Lack of accountability

Legal fallouts Perseverance in face of Breach of Departmental channels


diversity organizational rules
Sensitivity and tolerance Personal responsibility Professional integrity File pushing and red
tapism
Efficiency and Public scrutiny Inclusion and Moral imperatives
effectiveness exclusion errors
Breach of trust Timely completion Biases and Stereotypes Departmental action

Case Study 11:


You are working as a District magistrate in a district. You are known for your honesty and
dedication to work. You are also known for checking corruption and taking stringent actions on
them. The level of work you maintain at office is an epitome of integrity and excellency. All the files
related to development work and contracts in the district pass through your office. Due to which
people from different backgrounds and different arena of work regularly come to your office, this
makes your office vulnerable to corruption. You have made it clear to your staff that you will follow
zero tolerance to corruption in office and very strict action will be taken against anyone who
indulges in corruption. One day a real estate construction company’s agent came to meet you
regarding an ongoing project. He informed you that your office clerk takes money from all the
agents for telling them about your schedule and meeting timings. The agent told you that it is
difficult to meet you because of your busy schedule. The clerk takes money and informs them about
timings when you are available in office. It saves them much effort and makes it easy to meet you.

You are unhappy with your clerk. You called him and asked for an explanation. The clerk told you
that he does not ask for money, it is the agents who give him money on their own. The amount
involved is very small, just sufficient for tea or coffee. He further tells that he has 4 daughters, 3 of
them are still unmarried. His youngest daughter has cancer and she is bedridden. He tells you that
he is in dire need of money. He also tells you that this is a common practice and clerks of all the
officers get money from the agents for facilitating their meetings with other officers. You enquired
about his story with your other staff and whatever he told you about his daughters was true. You
know that the salary of a clerk is not sufficient for taking care of such a large family and getting
good treatment for her daughter. There is also the problem of dowry in the area which makes the
marriage of women expensive.
1. Why are such acts of petty corruption considered acceptable in government offices?
2. Is there a case for serious action against the clerk? What will be your course of action to deal
with the situation?

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Introduction:
Indian rank in the transparency international ranking has been hovering around 80. It shows large scale
corruption in the offices.

Stakeholders:
• Myself: I am staunchly against the corruption and is witnessing a petty corruption driven by
financial needs.
• Clerk: He is indulging in corruption due to his financial needs and societal pressure.
• Other Staff: Other staff will feel cheated if the clerk is allowed but not other ones.
• Visitors of Office: They will perceive the corruption is still common in office.
• Society: They will perceive the public office as corrupt.

Acceptability of the petty corruption in public office:


• Financial necessity: Society consider corruption as a means to run the family needs given the low
salary in the public offices.
• Custom: Giving bribe in the public office has become ritual and a custom which is not questioned
by anybody.
• Grease of Wheel: Society considers it as grease of the wheel of public office where petty amount
to clerks keep the file moving.
• Little burden: Since petty amount doesn’t burn a hole in the pocket of individual, it is not much
bothered by the public.
• No other means: Without the corruption, society finds no other means to get the work done.
• Challenge to own values: Since most of the society is engaged in accepting bribe in government
offices, demanding action against other officials will create a crisis of conscience for them.

Case for Serious Action against the clerk:


1. Yes:
• Illegal act: Undertaking the bribe in public office is an illegal act under prevention of
corruption act-1988.
• Encourage others: Not taking any action against the clerk would encourage other staff to
engage in petty corruption.
• Stern Message: Any serious action against the clerk would send a stern message to all the
officials who engage in such practices.
• Action against me: If I do not take any action, a complaint can be lodged against me for
encouraging the corruption.
2. No:
• Financial need: Clerk is engaging in the corruption due to his financial necessity and not for
amassing wealth.
• Done by others: Such type of corruption is done by other clerks too in other public offices.
• Very Acceptable: Such type of corrupt practices are very acceptable to people and doesn’t
warrant any serious action.
• Decline of productivity: Any serious action against the clerk may lead to decline in the
productivity of all the employees.

Course of Action:
• Set up an inquiry commission: I will set up an inquiry commission to check for other cases of
corruption too by other officials.
• Initiate proceedings against clerk: Since the clerk has accepted the corruption, I will initiate the
legal proceeding according to the law.

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• Public awareness: I will make public aware about how these petty corruption leads to erosion of
work ethics in the office.
• Awareness against the dowry: I will initiate a public campaign against the dowry in the society
as it forces people to engage in corruption.
• Setting up time for availability: I will fix the time when I would be available in the office and
display it outside my office for convenience of people.

Conclusion:
As Kautilya has said,” Just as it is impossible to know when a swimming fish is drinking water, so it is
impossible to find out when a government servant is stealing money”. Stern action against the corrupt
along with change in the societal attitude towards the corruption is the only way for corrupt free India.

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Case Study 12:
Prabhat is an honest IAS officer. He is transferred to Raipur to head Raipur Development
Authority. Soon after being shifted, he found about illegal encroachments, most of these were big
shops, in his jurisdiction. He traced that main cause of poor state of affairs is neglect by government
officials who were under the pressure of business lobby of the area. He went on a drive to remove
encroachments. He started with nearby railway station road and dispatched notice to shopkeepers
to remove their encroachments within 7 days. Thinking it as another useless drive which will die
before it starts, shopkeepers ignored the notice and continue to open their shops as usual.
On 8th day, young officer decided to go there with his bulldozers. However, he realized that he has
very small force to support his drive. He asked SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police) to provide
more force. But SSP refused to provide any additional force citing reasons of shortage. SSP advised
Prabhat to leave matter aside because, in his experience, such actions are not successful in achieving
their objectives. SSP was also under influence of local businessmen. Prabhat was also aware of fact
that with such small force, crowd can become violent, will be successful in overpowering.
(a) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Prabhat?
(b) Under the given conditions, what are the options available to Prabhat?
(c) Critically evaluate each of the options.
(d) What option should Prabhat adopt and why?
(e) What policy measures would you suggest to combat the menace of illegal encroachments
keeping in the mind various fundamentals rights available to the citizens?

Introduction:
Prabhat is in a dilemma whether he can perform his duty well when the circumstances are against him in
addition to absence of support from the police force.

Stakeholders
• Prabhat (IAS officer): Prabhat is dutybound to evict the illegal encroachers, but he is gettingno
help from other arms of the government.
• Encroachers: They are keeping and using the land for themselves through bribing theofficials.
• SSP: He/she has already given up on the city and is not ready to cooperate with Prabhat by
providing him with adequate force.

Ethical dilemmas being faced by me in this case are as follows


• Self-protection vs professional obligation: Prabhat understood that he can expect no help from
government’s arm such as SSP and if he does anything on his own, people could overpower him.
• Professional duty vs institutional demotivation: Even though Prabhat wanted to do the right
thing by removing the illegal encroachments, he is not receiving any help from other institutions

Options available to Prabhat in the above situation as follows


• Option 1: Proceed with the eviction by force with available force provided by the SSP.
• Option 2: Back off from the eviction procedures as you are helpless.
• Option 3: Talk to the political representative about the situation and coordinate with SSP.

Evaluation of the options that are listed


1. Option 1: Proceed with the eviction by force with available force provided by the SSP.
• Merits
o Determination: It will show the encroachers that Prabhat is serious about the eviction
notice and is ready to use all the force at your disposal for getting it done.
o Demands dedication from other officials: Since Prabhat is taking all steps to evict
encroachers, other officials including SSP has to help him to save themselves from blame.

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• Demerits
o Adverse public reaction: The crowd which can become violent and will be successful in
overpowering Prabhat resulting in postponing of the eviction for an indefinite time.
2. Option 2: Back off from the eviction procedures as you are helpless.
• Merits
o Easy life: Prabhat can proceed with his job like others without being challenged.
• Demerits
o Loss of government income: Govt land will be continued to be appropriated illegally.
o Dangerous precedent: More people will try to replicate it by encroaching more govt land
3. Option 3: Talk to the political representative about the situation and coordinate with SSP
• Merits
o Clear conscience: Prabhat will know that he has done everything in his power to
perform his duty well.
o Accountability: SSP as well as other officials in the department will be answerable for
their inaction when the people’s representative is involved.
o Make it a people’s movement: When common people are with you on such eviction
procedure, the process becomes smooth.
• Demerits
o People’s representative could side with encroachers: This results in Prabhat havingto
choose from his initial options itself.

Most appropriate choice for me would be Option 3. That is, talking to the political representative
about the situation and coordinating with SSP.
Reason for the choosing option 3 are as follows
• Clear conscience: Prabhat will know he has done everything in his power to perform duty well.
• Accountability: SSP as well as other officials in the department will be answerable for their
inaction when the people’s representative is involved.
• Make it a people’s movement: When common people are with you on such eviction
procedure, the process becomes smooth.
• People’s trust: People’s faith in the process and the government will improve whengovernment
servants are able to function beyond intimidations.

Policy measures to combat the menace of illegal encroachments keeping in the mind various
fundamentals rights available to the citizens
• Prevention of further encroachments: The local authorities and the state governments must
become proactive in the prevention of encroachment of public lands.
• Accountability: The authorities who are responsible for the prevention of land encroachment
should also be held responsible.
• Law abiding citizens: The citizens should abide by the rules and regulations and if they violate
the rule of law, the violators should be penalized.
• Due process of law must be held prime: Respecting law of land should be norm and if there are
any deviations the illegal structures should be bulldozed only after following due process of law.
• Considering involuntary and forceful encroachments: The Supreme Court’s guidelines in the
Olga Tellis judgment needs to be imbibed in true spirit.
• Rehabilitation of slum-dwellers: and not the destruction of slums is the only way forward.

Conclusion:
Issue of land encroachment requires collective efforts of Public, local authorities and State Govt if it has
to be resolved completely. The citizens have major responsibility in trying to prevent such encroachment.

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Case Study: 13
You are heading a district administration in a particular department. Your senior officer calls you
from the State Headquarters and tells you that a plot in Rampur village is to have a building
constructed on it for a school. A visit is scheduled during which he will visit the site along with the
chief engineer and the senior architect. He wants you to check out all the papers relating to it and
to ensure that the visit is properly arranged. You examine the file which relates to the period before
you joined the department. The land was acquired from the local Panchayat at a nominal cost and
the papers show that clearance certificates are available from the two of the three authorities who
have to certify the site’s suitability. There is no certification by the architect available on file. You
decide to visit Rampur to ensure that all is in order as stated on file. When you visit Rampur, you
find that the plot under referenceis part of Thakurgarh Fort and that the walls, ramparts, etc. are
running across it. The fort is well away from the main village; therefore, a school here will be a
serious inconvenience for the children. However, the area near the village has potential to expand
into a larger residential area. The development charges on the existing plot, at the fort, will be very
high and the question of heritage site has not been addressed. Moreover, the Sarpanch, at the time
of acquisition of the land, was a relative of your Predecessor. The whole transaction appears to have
been done with some vested interest.
(a) List the likely vested interests of the concerned parties
(b) Some of the options for action available to you are listed below. Discuss the merits and
demerits or each of the options.
(i) You can await the visit of the superior officer and let him make a decision.
(ii) You can seek his advice in writing or on the phone.
(iii) You can consult your predecessor/colleagues, etc. and then decide what to do.
(iv) You can find out if any alternate plot can be got in exchange and then send a
comprehensive written report.
Can you suggest any other option with proper justification?

Introduction:
The above situation is an example of the administrative ethics that administrators face in their sphere of
work. They intend to perform service to society, but they will have to look for social as well as economic
benefits for all and have to eliminate corruption at public office level for which they sometimes get trapped
in threats and are engaged in ethical dilemmas.

Stakeholders Involved:
1. Directly involved
• District Administrator (Me): As a District Administrator, I need to check out all the papers
relating to the plot in Rampur village on which a building has to be constructed for a school
and to ensure that the visit is properly arranged for my senior officer of state headquarters.
• Officer of the state headquarter: His visit to the site, i.e., the plot in Rampur village on which
a building has to be constructed for a school along with the chief engineer and the senior
architect, is being scheduled.
• Children: They are the ones for whom the school building has to be constructed so they can
learn.
• Sarpanch: The Sarpanch, at the time of the acquisition of the land, was a relative of my
predecessor, who had done the whole transaction.
• Chief engineer and senior Architect: Certificates of sites suitability has been made available
by these people only. However, there is no certification by architect available on file.
• Local panchayat: The land was acquired from the local Panchayat at a nominal cost andthe
papers show that clearance certificates are available from the two of the three authorities only.
• Predecessor officer: The Sarpanch, at the time of acquisition of the land, was a relative of

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Predecessor and the whole transaction appears to have been done with somevested interest.
2. Indirectly involved
• Villagers: They are indirectly involved because school would educate their children, who
would then become breadwinners for them.
• Country/State: The plot under reference is part of Thakurgarh Fort, which is well away from
the main village; therefore, a school here will be a serious inconveniencefor the children,
and the question of a heritage site has not been addressed yet.

Options Available:
1. I can await the visit of the superior officer and let him make a decision.
• Merit: Since plot under consideration has not got clearance of all authority concerned,
therefore I can avoid my accountability by letting the senior to take the finaldecision.
• Demerit: My senior making the final decision would demonstrate my poor work ethics as
well as my tendency to avoid complex situations and avoid accountability.
2. I can seek his advice in writing or on the phone.
• Merit: It would create a situation in which my accountability would be transferred to my
superior, and I would be safe from any future investigations.
• Demerit: I again would sound like an incompetent and my decision-making ability would
come under the spectrum of doubts.
3. I can consult my predecessor/colleagues, etc. and then decide what to do.
• Merit: My investigation would provide me with a clear understanding of the incident that
occurred while I was away, allowing me to make a decision that would be more effectiveand
efficient. It would also provide me with some pertinent information about the prior agreement.
• Demerit: I again would sound like an incompetent and my decision-making ability would
come under the spectrum of doubts.
4. I can find out if any alternate plot can be got in exchange and then send a comprehensive
written report
• Merit: The plot under reference is part of Thakurgarh Fort, which is well away from
the main village; therefore, a school here will be a serious inconvenience for the children. And,
the area near the village has the potential to expand into a larger residential area. The
development charges on the existing plot at the fort will be very high, and the question of the
heritage site has not been addressed properly. Moreover, the Sarpanch, at the time of the
acquisition of the land, was a relative of my predecessor, and the whole transaction appears to
have been done with some vested interest.
• Demerit: As many of the stakeholders are involved in the agreement, going against them
would be harmful for me in near future and it would create a threat situation for me.

Conclusion:
I would choose the fourth option as the district administration and ensure that a suitable plot for the
construction of the school is available somewhere else that is closest to the village from the Panchayat.
Additionally, I will see to it that anyone involved in the agreement for an improper purpose receives
notification of an investigation from their authority for being on the improper side of the equation through
my thorough written report.

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Case Study: 14
Mr. Suhas is a senior civil servant in the central government. In the course of performinghis
duties, he comes to know about the diversion of funds earmarked for MGNREGA for other
purposes. The cases of financial misappropriation were discovered during the social audit of the
works under MGNREGS. Social Audit Units (SAUs) after auditing the Mahatma Gandhi
NREGS works in gram panchayats has broadly categorized this as financial misappropriation,
financial deviation, grievance and process violation. 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. He also found that the villagers had approached the senior-most civil
servants in writing before not to release MGNREGA fund in view of the cited issue but the fund
was released without verification. Soon thereafter, Suhas 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, Suhas decided to obey his supervisors by leaving the matter alone.
Based on the information given, answer the following questions:
(a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case?
(b) Had you been in Suhas's place, what would have been course of actionchosen by you?
(c) Justify your choices. (250 words, 20 marks)

Introduction:
The above case presents the problem of frequent misappropriation of government funds by civil
servants in nexus with politicians for personal benefits. Over the past few years, Social audit units
(SAUs) across India have found serious financial misappropriations under various schemes of
MGNREGA. The recent Khunti district MGNREGA scam in Jharkhand is one such classic example
of diversion of funds allocated to public purpose.

Stakeholders
• Suhas: Suhas is a senior civil servant who comes to know about diversion of funds earmarked
for MGNREGA, raised his concerns to the department concerned and left the matter alone by
obeying his seniors.
• Minister: The Minister of the area who is aware of the issue gave tacit approval forthe
misappropriation of MGNREGA funds.
• Other Senior Civil Servants: The civil servants in nexus with the Minister have allowedfunds
misuse and advised Suhas to be silent on this issue.
• Villagers: The village population had approached the senior-most civil servants in writing
urging not to release MGNREGA fund but the funds were released without verification.
• Social audit units: They have categorized this as financial misappropriation, financial
deviation, grievance and process violation.
• Society at large: The developmental activities of the village is obstructed due to diversion of
public funds.

Ethical issues involved in this case:


• Loss of probity in governance: Absence of probity on part of senior civil servantsand
the Minister responsible.
• Breach of trust: The acts by civil servants and the Minister is a ‘breach of doctrine ofpublic
trust’ which is a common good.
• Running away responsibility: Not taking any action by Suhas and leaving the matteralone
amounts to evasion of responsibility towards his job.
• Injustice to poor people: Looting of public money which is meant for the poor in thevillage.
• Violation of Constitutional rights: Violation of right to fair opportunity - Article 16 ofthe

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Indian constitution.
• Lack of development: The construction of durable assets like roads, canals, ponds, andwells
in the villages is stalled due to corruption by officials.
• Defrauding public money: Defrauding public money allocated for wage paymentsunder
the scheme.
• Neglect of public interest: The funds are released without verification even after the
villagers brought the issue before the officials.
• Livelihood security: Corruption by the officials negatively affects the livelihoodsecurity of
the villagers who are denied wages for their work.

My course of action
• Report to the concerned department: I would be guided by voice of conscience and would
report the wrongdoings of the officials to concerned department and submit the findings of
social audit unit to it. A separate investigation committee can also be formed to investigate
officials involved.
• Checking Muster-rolls: I will ask the department to summon officer in-charge of muster roll
and try him for non-performance of his duty.
• Legal action: If the concerned department does not take any action, I will take help of the
District SP to register a case against them under the Money Laundering act and the Prevention
of Corruption act.
• Filing RTI: Additionally, I will help the villagers in filing the RTI to expose the corruption of
the Minister and the senior civil servants.
• Naming and Shaming: I will ask the respective authority to put the guilty on naming and
shaming list which will set the deterrence and prevent such acts in other central schemes like
MGNREGA as it is a PAN India scheme and has more chances of corruption.

Justification of my course of action


• Punishment to wrongdoers: It will lead to punishment for the wrong-doings of the
Minister and civil servants and avoid further corruption by the officials.
• Increased Trust: It will enhance the trust of the village people in the government.
• Justice should prevail: The rights of the poor people to get wages for their work isprotected.
• Promotes public interest: It ensures livelihood security of the village people andupholds
their constitutional rights.
• Checks corruption: The widespread corruption by public representatives which hasbeen
trickled down to the panchayat level is reduced.

Conclusion:
Effective utilization of funds under MGNREGA is key to ensure socio-economic developmentof the
rural areas. Thus, adequate measures should be taken to deal with fund misappropriation. In long term,
the Unique Identification code should be provided to each person under this scheme to better
channelize the public money in required direction.

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Case Study: 15
You are a district commissioner in charge of overseeing the voting process in a rural area,
poorest in the district, poor infrastructure, and limited access to basic services such as
healthcare, education, and clean water. The residents have been complaining for years about the
lack of attention and investment from the government, and they see the election as a chance to
voice their grievances and demand change. Hence the people in this area have refused to
participate in voting, citing various reasons such as lack of development, political
disillusionment, and distrust in the political system. Despite their refusal, the local authorities
are pressuring you to ensure that everyone in the area participates in the vote.
You find yourself in a difficult ethical dilemma. You are aware of the importance of democratic
participation and the need for every eligible voter to have their say in the election. Also, you
understand the frustrations of the people in the rural area and the fact that they feel neglected
and left behind by the political system. To make matters worse, you have also discovered that
there are conflicts of interest involved in the election, as some of the candidates areknown to be
associated with local businesses and other organizations that stand to gain from the election
results. This has further eroded the trust of the people in the voting process.
(a) In light of these challenges, what ethical approach would you take to resolve situation?
(b) How would you ensure that the election is conducted fairly and transparently, and that
conflicts of interest are addressed? And, how would you ensure that the voices of the
people in the rural area are heard and respected in the election process? Discuss.

Introduction:
Rural areas in India are often characterized by poor infrastructure, low access to basic services such as
healthcare and education, and a lack of economic opportunities. This can contribute to a sense of
neglect and a feeling that the government does not care about the needs of rural communities. Also,
this may lead people feeling that their voices are not being heard and that elections are dominated by
money and power. This can lead to a lack of participation in the political process and a feeling that
change is not possible.

Ethical Issues Involved:


• Pressure to Ensure Participation: I, as the district commissioner, am being pressured by the
local authorities to ensure that everyone in the rural area participates in the vote, despite their
refusal. This puts me in a difficult ethical position.
• Political Disillusionment and Distrust: The people in the rural area have lost faith in the
political system. This lack of trust in the political system raises ethical concerns as it raises
questions about the legitimacy and fairness of the election process.
• Conflicts of Interest: The discovery of conflicts of interest in the election further undermines
the trust of the people in the voting process. This raises ethical questions about the impartiality
and integrity of the election.
• Responsiveness to Community Needs: The residents in the rural area have been neglected
and left behind by the political system. This raises ethical questions about the responsibility of
the government to address the needs of its citizens.
In light of these challenges, what ethical approach would you take to resolve this situation?

Ethical approach I would take to resolve this situation:


As a district commissioner, I would take a balanced approach which emphasizes the importance of
moral principles and obligations, as well as make sure that principle of democracy prevails:
• Listen to the Grievances of the People: The first step would be to listen to the concerns and
frustrations of the people in the rural area. Understanding their perspective can help find a
solution that addresses their concerns.
• Respect for Autonomy: I would respect the autonomy of the residents in the rural area by not

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coercing or forcing them to participate in the election against their will.
• Maximizing Voter Participation: I would aim to maximize voter participation by
encouraging and educating the residents in the rural area about the importance of democratic
participation in elections. I will educate them that this is their constitutional right and by using
this right they can make government to listen to their voices.
• Fairness and Impartiality: I would act with fairness and impartiality in overseeing theelection
process, ensuring that the election results are not influenced by conflicts of interest or other
forms of corruption.
• Responsibility to Address Community Needs: I would use my position to address the needs
of the residents in the rural area, advocating for increased investment in healthcare, education,
and other basic services.
By taking this ethical approach, I would aim to balance the importance of democratic participation
with the need to respect the autonomy and agency of the voters, and to address the community's needs
and concerns.

How would you ensure that the election is conducted fairly and transparently, and that conflicts
of interest are addressed? And, how would you ensure that the voices of the people in the rural
area are heard and respected in the election process? Discuss.

Steps to ensure that the election is conducted fairly and transparently, and that conflicts of
interest are addressed
As a district commissioner, it is important to uphold the principles of democracy and ensure that the
election is conducted fairly and transparently. In this difficult ethical dilemma, I would take the
following steps to address the issues at hand:
• Educate the Voters: I would educate the voters about the importance of their participation in
the election and the impact it could have on their lives.
• Access to information: I would also provide them with information about the election process
and the various candidates running for office to help address the political disillusionment and
distrust in the political system.
• Address Conflicts of Interest: I would also work with relevant authorities to ensure that the
candidates who are known to be associated with local businesses and organizations that stand
to gain from the election results are disqualified. This would help to restore the trust of the
people in the voting process.
• Ensure Transparency: I would put measures in place to ensure that election is conducted
transparently. There will be proper availability of security force, use of social media to do same.
• Monitoring the situation: I would continuously monitor the situation and address any issues
that arise during the election.

As a district commissioner in this situation, there are several steps I would take to ensure that
the voices of the people in the rural area are heard and respected in the election process:
• Encourage voter Education and Engagement: I would work to educate the residents about
the impact their vote could have on their lives and the local community.
• Foster Transparency and Accountability: I would work to ensure that the election is
conducted fairly and transparently, and that any conflicts of interest are addressed.
• Address the root causes of Political Disillusionment: I would work to address the underlying
issues that have led to political disillusionment in the area, such as the lack of development and
access to basic services.
• Engage with Community Leaders and Civil Society Organizations: I would reach out to
community leaders and organizations to get their input and ideas on how to address the
concerns and frustrations of the residents. This would help to build trust and ensure that their

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voices are heard and respected in the election process.
• Build Trust: I would actively listen to the residents and their concerns, and take their feedback
into consideration when making decisions about the election process. By doing so, I would
help to build trust and ensure that their voices are heard and respected.
• Advocate for Community: I will use my position to advocate for community and their
concerns.

By taking these steps, it should be possible to ensure that the voices of the people in the rural area are
heard and respected in the election process, while also ensuring that the election is conducted fairly
and transparently.

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Case Study 16:
You are newly appointed as District Magistrate in an aspirational district. Recently a social audit
was conducted to review the works completed under MGNREGA which involved road construction.
It was found that even the mandated minimum standards were not maintained and there was
suspicion of corruption. Those are very critical connectivity links which were mainly designed to
connect some backward villages with other parts of the district. You also know that within a month,
the monsoon will come and most of the built roads may suffer heavy damage due to its poor quality
and the people residing in those villages will be disconnected again from other parts.

Based on this information, you initiate a preliminary enquiry. you come to know that most of the
work related to construct rural roads were awarded to a particular contractor who has political
connections and has good influence on government officials. You decide to conduct a detailed
enquiry and assign an investigating officer. However, within a week, the investigating officer comes
to you and asks you to relieve him from the case citing the political pressure on him due to the
ongoing investigation of the case. Also as the District Magistrate, you are getting frequent calls from
influential persons pertaining to investigation for removing their names from investigation.
1. As the District Magistrate of that area what are the options available to you and what action
will you take? Justify.
2. Discuss some additional safeguards that should be put in place to make sure that such cases
do not occur in the future.

Introduction:
Between 2001 and 2013, state lawmakers unfairly awarded rural road building contracts worth Rs 3,592
crore ($540 million) to contractors from their own caste, a new study published in the Journal of
Development Economics, has shown.

Stakeholders
• District magistrate: Primary responsibility to ensure that the government funds are utilized
properly without corruption in a transparent manner. Political pressures and threatening calls have
become part of daily life.
• Contractor: Government money is used to make sub-standard roads which doesn’t even have the
capacity to counter rains from one season
• Investigating officer(s): Under political pressures, investigators keep requesting the district
magistrate to relieve them from the case.
• Rural public at large: People in village suffer due to non-connectivity of village with other places

The options available to me as the District Magistrate are:


• Appoint a brave investigator: A brave investigator should be assigned and he/she should be
provided with all the necessary protection from the police. Moreover, I, as the DM, should be
directly involved in the investigation process. Take action based on the report of the investigator.
• Replace the contractor: The contractor can be fired and new contracts can be drawn upon as it is
evident that the contractor had not maintained the minimum mandated standards.
• Let the contractor continue: When the monsoon comes, the roads will suffer damages and hence
it will be proved that the contractor had not maintained the minimum mandated standards and
actions can be taken against him/her.

I will be taking option 1 for the following reasons:


• Duty of the investigator: It is the primary duty of the investigator to finish the assignment
provided to him/her without backing off citing political pressure. But it is my duty to provide
him/her with necessary safe working conditions to finish the job

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• Proof is needed: Without the actual proof of misconduct and corruption, actions cannot be taken
against the contractor. Hence, investigative report is mandatory.
• Watch out for political pressure: Since, I’m involving directly in the investigation process, the
political pressure faced by the investigator will act upon me and investigator will be relieved from
any such pressures.
• Long term options: People must be empowered to ask questions. Local politicians are to be
involved to question the alleged corruption in the project.

Some of the additional safeguards that should be put in place to make sure that such cases do not
occur in the future are as follows:
• Empower the people: Make the people of the region ask question and make them understand that
it is their right to ask questions to the elected representative of the region regarding the failed
infrastructure projects like this.
• Tweak the contractor selection mechanism: Assign the project only if the contractors have proof
of successful work completed. Permanently bar the ones who has corruption cases against them.
• Make everything public: All details regarding assignment of work till the completion of the work
should be put in public domain so that if there is an issue with the roads, media can take up and
scrutinise the issue and let the public know about it

Conclusion:
If voters held their MLAs responsible for the services delivered under PMGSY, the latter would have an
incentive to limit corruption. If the general experience is that the MLAs play a role in implementing a
project, albeit informally, it may make more sense to actually make them responsible and therefore locally
accountable.

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Case Study 17:

Honesty and uprightness are the hallmarks of a civil servant. Civil servants possessing these
qualities are considered as the backbone of any strong organization. In the line of duty they take
various decisions, at time some become bonafide mistakes. As long as such decisions are not taken
intentionally and donot benefit personally, the officer cannot be said to guilty. Though such
decisions at times lead to unforeseen adverse consequences in the long term .

In the recent past , a few instances have been surfaced where civil servants were implicated for the
bonafide mistakes. They often have been prosecuted and even imprisoned. These instances have
greatly rattled the moral fibre of the civil servants.

How does this trend affect the functioning of the civil services? What measures can be taken to
ensure the honest civil servants are not implicated for bonafide mistakes on their part? Justify your
answer. (250 words)

Introduction:
The civil services by quality of its knowledge, experience and understandingof public affairs support the
chosen representatives to device effectual policy and have greatresponsibility to implement these policies
for the welfare of society and enhancement of nation.

Wrongful prosecution affecting the functioning of the civil services


1. Policy paralysis: The officers working in the government hesitate to take decisions fearing
prosecution. If decisions are not taken fast the country’s growth will becomestagnant.
• Example: After a series of scams during UPA II, there was a belief that apolicy paralysis was
happening for the fear of prosecution.
2. Harassment of honest officers: Corrupt political leaders and bureaucrats may harass honest
officers through baseless complaints and investigations.
3. Declining economic growth: With growing private sector participation in public services, fear of
prosecution may limit honest officers to take liberal, bold and bravedecisions across sectors.
4. Affecting reputation of officers: Prosecution of honest officers leads to mentalagony and heavy
financial loss besides being defamed in the society.
5. Effect on decision-making: Officers will be averse in expressing their views due to fear of
departmental action for their incorrect decisions which may aggravate administrative lethargy.
6. Losing trust in the organisation: Possible punishment from the organization whichis supposed
to protect the officers will demotivate him/her from dedicating his/her efforts to the upliftment of
the organization.
• Example: Police officer charged for murder by same seniors whobacked encounter operation

Measures to ensure that honest civil servants are not implicated for bonafide mistakes
1. Legislative actions: To protect honest civil servants from malicious prosecution andharassment.
• Example: Amendment to Section 13(1)(d) of Prevention of Corruption Act,1988, that deals
with criminal misconduct by a public servant is a welcome step
2. Administration clarity: Policy making decisions should be made with maximumclarity to prevent
blaming select individuals for incorrect decisions.
3. Written orders: Written orders, while preventing abuse, can shield officers from fear about
possible victimization in case something goes wrong
4. Backed by the association: IAS Association of India and other civil society groupsshould support
and stand by honest officers undergoing wrongful prosecution.
5. Arresting politicization of bureaucracy: Ensuring fixed tenure to civil servants is amuch-needed

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step so that officers can take decisions without the fear of transfers, denial of promotions, or being
punished post retirement
6. Legal immunity: The civil servants are given legal immunity, meaning that they cannot be held
accountable for their official acts if they are undertaken after followingdue procedure.
7. Internal oversight mechanisms: Internal enquiries in each department should consider past career
record of officers before recommending for criminal investigationof bonafide decisions.
8. Framework to check intentions: In order to distinguish between corrupt officers and honest
officers, a framework needs to be developed that can decide whether the actions had good
intentions or not.
9. Judicial intervention: Courts have to make decisions with a very constructive interpretation of
laws. It must clarify the distinction between corruption and wrongadministrative decisions.

Conclusion:
A nation’s image, position and standing in the International affairs in the21st Century largely depend upon
the dedication, capability, efficiency and effectiveness of its Government Servant/ Civil Servant.
Therefore, it is of utmost importance to create a conducive environment for civil servants to work without
the fear of wrongful prosecution.

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CASE STUDIES BASED ON PRIVATE SECTOR/CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Ethical Premises and Keywords


Social Entrepreneur Insider trading Workplace ethics
Corporate social responsibility Compassionate capitalism Organizational coherence
Social Capital Trusteeship Stewardship
Crowd funding Conflict of interests Institutional integrity
Spirit of service Intellectual honesty Glass-ceiling
Espirit de corps Business ethics Resourcefulness
Business and Community Professional ethics Prudence
obligations
Whistle blower policy Social obligation Private expertise

Case Study 18:


You are a co-director in a multinational Company. The chairman of your company issued a
notification to deduct salaries of lower hierarchy employees by 30 percent due to the slowdown in
the economy. And also you are asked to prepare the list to lay off employees from the company. The
main motive of salary deduction and to lay off employees is to sustain companies profits. As a
shareholder, you supported this part of the notification considering the financial situation of the
company.

In the second part of the notification, it has been mentioned that the higher hierarchy employers
salary to be hiked by 40%. When you asked for a reason to this contradiction, the chairman of the
company replied to you “these people are core of the organisation and it is the duty of the company
to safeguard their interest.” And you know that they are part of the organisation from the beginning
and work day and night for the company. At the same time, you came to know that with the
deduction of salaries many of the employees will be underpaid and many of the senior and
hardworking employees name are in the list of lay off. Deduction and layoff will make many families
to suffer economically.

You know that to become next director of the company, you need top employees vote for getting
elected. You are now confused and not happy with the way things are done in the company.
Based on the above case study answer the following questions:
1. Identify the various ethical issues involved
2. What you will do in such a situation?

Introduction:
Corporate governance is a hallmark for any company to grow sustainably. Any deviation from the
principles of corporate governance may give short term profit but only cause challenges in the long term.

Stakeholder:
• Myself: I am in line to become the next director if follows the policy.
• Growth of the Company : As the company is passing through the economic turnmoil and require
to save the employee expenses.
• Laid off employees : Employees who are hard working but has been laid off by the company.
• Underpaid employees : Lower hierarchy employee whose salary has been deducted without
giving due consideration to their family conditions.
• Higher Hierarchy employees: Employees whose salary has been increased despite it being
economic slowdown.

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Ethical issues involved:
• Lack of Transparency: Company is not being transparent about its human resource policy to the
employee.
• Preference to Shareholders than stakeholders: Company is giving preference to top officials
who are shareholders by increase in salary compared to lower grade who are stakeholders.
• Violation of Principle of equity: company should be more compassionate towards the lower grade
employees than higher ones.
• Violation of principle of equality: All the employees in the company are not being treated equal.
• Discrimination based on Post: Company is discriminating based on rank of employees.
• Non recognition of merit: Hardworking staff has been fired without giving due consideration of
their merit.
• Humanitarian crisis: Many lower grade workers and their family will face humanitarian crisis
due to reduction in the salary.

My action:
• No Compromise with values: I will not compromise with my values and integrity. A policy which
is not in favour of company cant be in favour of me also.
• Demand for uniform policy: My whole efforts would be targeted towards uniform policy across
the grade.
• Discussion with Chairman: I will highlight the loss of productivity and low morale affecting
overall output in the company due to this discriminatory policy.
• Discussion with Top Management: In case chairman remain unnerved, I will ask top
management to veto the policy in the board meeting highlight its impact on long term future of the
company.
• Tender my resignation: even if top management doesn’t accept my proposal, I will tender my
resignation.

Conclusion:
In the time of economic slowdown, company needs to show compassionate capitalism where lower grade
employees should be less affected and impact should be felt more by higher hierarchy. Justice in the
company keep the morale high of employees leading to higher productivity.

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Case Study: 19
You have done MBA from a reputable college three years ago, but the COVID-19-induced recession
prevented you from receiving a campus placement. However, after much convincing and a number
of difficult tests, including written and interviews, you were able toland a position with a prestigious
food processing company. You were allotted the operations department. Like many other
businesses, the company had to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the company is
doing good business for last few years. When the coronavirus outbreak was reported, meat
processing and packing plants were hotspots for such viruses as workers stood elbow-to-elbow in
narrow production lines. Workers workedin closed production lines with no masks or personal
protective equipment, and social distancing norms were violated, exposing them to the virus. Even
workers who felt ill were instructed by plant managers to ignore the COVID-19 symptoms and
continue working.
Your company, despite knowing about the dangers of COVID-19, had risked the lives of its
employees and lied to them about the spread of the virus at the plant in order to keep them working.
As part of operations team, you observed that few workers got diseased, however the company is
still neglecting the issue. Two other workers also passed away due to the disease. You are well aware
of the fact that company had failed to implement adequate workplace safety measures, and that
supervisors had encouraged sick workers showing COVID-19 symptoms to continue working.
Fearing the media criticism against it, your company instructed you hold a press conference to lie
to the media that it had taken appropriate steps in response to the pandemic and all workers are
safe and healthy.
(a) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by you?
(b) Under the given conditions, what are the options available to you?
(c) Critically evaluate each of the options listed by you.
(d) What option would you adopt and why?

Introduction:
I’m stuck between the responsibility towards the company to protect its name and my duty as a fellow
employee to do justice to the workers in the company who are suffering because of the faulty policies of
the management.

Stakeholders
• Me (MBA Graduate): I’m forced to lie to the media when I know all the truths behind
violations of Covid guidelines in the compnay.
• Management: The management had not only violated all principles of human rights, but alsois
trying make a new employee lie to the media about the mismanagement of pandemic.
• Workers: Workers obeyed the instructions from the company unaware of the effects of the
pandemic resulting in them getting diseased and deceased.

Ethical dilemmas being faced by me in this case are as follows


• Personal ethics vs professional duties: I’m obligated to obey the instructions of the company,but
my responsibility towards the fellow employees demands the opposite.
• Personal right vs wrong: I know the truth behind the mismanagement of covid guidelines by the
company. By making me lie to the media, the management is making me part of this
mismanagement.

Options available to me in the above situation as follows


1. Option 1: Tell the truth to media about the mismanagement of covid guidelines by company.
2. Option 2: Lie for the company.
3. Option 3: Talk to management with innovative solution helping workers as well as company

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• Following Covid guidelines: Supply masks to the workers and follow sanitationguidelines.
• Isolation procedures: Give leave with pay to those workers who are showing symptoms
• Compensation: Provide compensation to the deceased workers
• Give facts to the management: However one tries to mask the truth of Covid mishandlingin
that company, it will become public anyway. It is better to do the damage control now

Evaluation of the options that are listed


1. Option 1: Tell truth to media about the mismanagement of covid guidelines by thecompany.
• Merits
o Clear conscience: I can tell myself that I did the right thing by not lying about the
conditions of the workers to the media.
o Saving lives: When the conditions of workers get enough attention, authorities and
management will be forced to work for the betterment of worker’s health.
• Demerits
o Losing job: Tell the truth about mismanagement of the company will result in lossof job
2. Option 2: Lie for the company.
• Merits
o Saved the job: I can save my job hiding about the covid mismanagement to the media.
o Possible promotion: The management will see that I’m trustworthy which may resultin
future growth in the company
• Demerits
o Conflict of conscience: Knowing that the condition of the workers are not well, I’m
becoming part of company’s mishandling of the pandemic.
o Increasing mortality rate: More workers will be contracted with the disease and can
result in more number of deaths.
3. Option 3: Talk to management with innovative solution helping workers as well as company
• Merits
o Personal benefit: My position in company might improve because of this innovative
solution.
o Saving lives: The condition of the workers will tangibly increase because of thesocial
security measures forwarded by the management.
o Improved productivity: Workers will be grateful to the timely intervention by the
management and will be more productive after the pandemic.
• Demerits
o Management could reject the proposal: This results in me having to choose between
telling the truth or lying for the company again.

Most appropriate choice for me would be Option 3. That is, talking to the managementwith an
innovative solution helping the workers as well as the company.
Reason for the choosing option 3 are as follows
• Clear conscience: By not lying for company, I will know that my moral compass isstill not broken.
• Personal benefit: My position in company might improve because of thisinnovative solution.
• Saving lives: The condition of the workers will tangibly increase because of the socialsecurity
measures forwarded by the management.
• Improved productivity: Workers will be grateful to timely intervention by management and
will be more productive after the pandemic.

Conclusion:
Option 3 is best available choice as it helps all stakeholders, viz, management, company, workers as
well MBA graduate (me).
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Case Study 20:
As hospitals in Delhi and many other cities run out of beds, people have been forced to find ways to
get treatment for sick patients at home. Many have turned to the black market, where prices of
essential medicines, oxygen cylinders and concentrators have skyrocketed and questionable drugs
are now proliferating. During second wave, such situation is also seen in a remote district. You are
an IAS officer serving in a remote district of one of the eastern states, which suffered a lot during
the first wave of COVID pandemic. There is only one private hospital in the district. You come to
know that the hospital in the area is charging high for conducting tests, vaccinations and treatment
for COVID-19, despite a very clear guideline about charges being fixed by the district
administration.

Before taking action, you plan to do some background check and come to know that this hospital is
also not able to manage all the necessary medical equipments and other materials needed for testing
and treatment at fair prices, and thus, they are not following the guidelines and further management
of that hospital has also registered their reservations against the fixed charges as it would it lead to
hospital incurring the losses. You also come to know that this particular hospital has been engaged
in many charitable works including funding the education of children in the area from poor families.

Discuss the following with reference to this case: (Answer in 250 words)
1. What are the options available to you?
2. Evaluate each option and suggest the best course of action?

Introduction:
Recently a police station in Kerala have registered a case of cheating against a private hospital following
complaints about alleged fleecing of Covid-19 patients. The case was registered invoking IPC 420
(cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) against the hospital. Coronavirus patients find it
difficult to bear the burden at private hospitals as the costs are exorbitant and even if they have the
insurance, they are not sure how much of the treatment cost is covered.

Stakeholders
• Patients and their relatives: Coronavirus patients find it difficult to bear the burden at private
hospitals as the costs are exorbitant and there were cases where people have taken loans in order
to fund the treatment.
• IAS officer (me): The decision is so crucial as I’ve to balance between the needs of the patients
and that of the hospital, especially because the hospital is the sole source of secondary healthcare
in the region.
• Hospital and its management: Hospital though wants to help people and follow guidelines, it
can’t work making losses beyond a certain extent.

The options available to me in this situation are as follows:


• Take disciplinary action: The hospital is violating the guidelines issues by the government and
is liable to be charged with relevant sections to the extent that it can be closed down.
• Ignore the issue: As the people are getting some form of treatment because of the hospital and
since the hospital is doing this only to cut the losses, ignore this issue as minor adjustment.
• Address the concern of hospital: If the hospital can be given some government assurances that
it won’t let the hospital take losses, hospital should be ready to follow the price guidelines.
• Crowd funding: Essential items of treatment such as medicines, oxygen cylinders and
concentrators can be donated to the hospital through crowd funding.

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Merits and demerits of each options stated above are as follows:
1. Option 1 (disciplinary action):
• Merits:
o Teaching moment: Both the hospital concerned and other hospitals can be taught a lesson
why they shouldn’t profit amidst a pandemic at the cost of life of people.
o Positive action: Disciplinary action against the hospital is a sure shot way of making them
do what I want for the sake of public good.
• Demerits:
o Hospital shutdown: If forced to continue making losses through punishments, the hospital
which is the only source of healthcare in the region can shut down.
o Loss of trust: The government cannot approach the hospital in future for favours in order
to work with them to deliver healthcare services to the poor people.
2. Option 2 (Ignore):
• Merits:
o Continued healthcare: The only hospital in the region can continue to provide essential
healthcare facilities to the people
o Goodwill of the hospital: Keeping the hospital pleased will be advantageous to the
government and the administration as it can expect its cooperation in the future
• Demerits:
o Setting a bad precedent: This ignorance on the part of administration encourages the
hospital to bend the guidelines even more whenever it faces difficulty like this.
o Encourages other hospitals: Other hospitals can observe the ignorance and can follow the
path of this hospital making the lives of people even more difficult.
3. Option 3 (address the hospital’s concern): According to me, this is the best course of action that
can be followed.
• Merits:
o Collaborative: The administration is trying to work along with hospital understand its
difficulties not ruining the relationship with them.
o Participative: The local population can be helped through collecting the essentials through
crowd funding.
o Continuation:
• Demerits:
o Difficult to achieve: Amidst the pandemic, when the administration is facing severe
financial crunch, it is difficult to promise the hospital

Conclusion:
In addition to those, patients must be made aware of their rights. If they feel that they have been
overcharged, subjected to unethical treatment or worse, there are avenues to pursue complaints including
by speaking to the hospital directly in the first instance. Such an awareness would deter most hospitals
from bending the guidelines as they fear public protest against the hospital.

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Case Study 21:
An international soft drink company has a signature soft drink that it sells all over the world. In
India, the version of soft drink complies with Indian food and health regulations, but it is less
healthy than the drink sold in European market where the law is stricter. The soft drink company
is obeying the law in India, but it is selling an inferior, less healthy product in a developing country.
What are the issues of integrity, ethics and law posed in the case study? What options does the soft
drink company and the government of India have and what should they do and why?

Introduction:
There is a need to improve capacity to enable effective inspection and monitoring of food safety conditions
in India. Prosecution and administration of food laws require to be devolved at the statelevel but currently
lies at national level and therefore far flung areas are hardly reached. Currently, awareness is
disproportionate among the rural consumers, and yet, these consumers like everyone else deserve good
quality food.

Issues of integrity
• For the company: Company claims that it sells best product in market when it knows that the
quality of product is different in different countries as per the laws in respective countries
• For the government: According to the constitution, it is the primary responsibility of the
government to protect and care for the health of the people. Ignoring the issue would mean that
government had failed on its primary responsibility

Issues of ethics
• For the company: It is showing double standards by selling a substandard product in India
compared to the product sold in European market
• For the government: Knowing that laws in Europe forces the company to roll out a better product
than that sold in India, government cannot ignore the issue at hand
• Unequal practice against developing world: Company thinks that it is tolerable to sell a
substandard product in a developing country.

Issues of laws
• Issue of legality: Company has not done anything of illegal nature. But it is doing an unethical act
by taking the laws in its literal sense.
• Lack of a competent law/amendment: The issue at hand is happening only because of the
substandard law in India. Had it been as competent as the European law, the company would have
sold the same product in both the markets
• International obligation: Since it is a matter of health, common laws must be practice across the
globe so as to bring the best product to all parts of the world

Options available to the company


• Option 1: Ignore the issue as the company has followed the law of the land and it cannot be
punished for the same
• Option 2: Company can intimate the government to amend the law so that it will be legally obliged
to keep the standard of drink same in all the countries
• Option 3: Keep standards of product high and same in all the countries where it is having
production facilities without waiting for the government to formally amend the law

Best option for the company and the reason to choose it


Option 3 is the best option to go with. Reasons for the same are as follows:
• International best practice: A better product under the same name is sold only at certainpockets
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is against the international best practices.
• Image maintenance: Company will lose its face among its customers in developing anddeveloped
world for showing doubling standards under the same product name
• Responsible corporate citizen: Laws passed by the government only specifies limits above which
certain compounds cannot go. It doesn’t restrict the company from rolling out an even better
product as being sold in foreign market
• Opportunity to show goodwill: Company will have the moral high ground as it took thepain to
change its production process when it wasn’t legally obliged to do so

Options available to the government


• Option 1: Ignore the issue as there is not health related hazard is reported about the product
• Option 2: Have a backchannel conversation with the company to launch the same product as sold
inEuropean market without having to formally enact an amendment
• Option 3: Constitute a committee to study about the best practice followed across the world and
amend the law as per the recommendation of this committee. Suggestion of this committee needs
tobe given to the public (companies) well in advance

Best option for the government and the reason to choose it


Option 3 is the best option to go with. Reasons for the same are as follows:
• Breathing time for companies: Companies can change their stock development withoutbreakage
in production so that their profit margin is not affected
• Economic advantage: By making the company compliant, movement can save theinvestment and
jobs provided by it
• Scientifically proven: Amending the law by following a committee recommendation gives a
rational edge to the law amended
• Legally competent: Government can finally remove the embarrassment of followingsubstandard
laws in India compared to developed world
• Primacy to health of individuals: Following the DPSP, it is the responsibility of the government
to prioritise the public health above everything else. Such a preventive action would save the
consumers from a possible health hazard
• Wide interpretation: May force other companies doing similar businesses to change their process
as per new regulations ensuring better products in Indian markets.

Conclusion:
Safety consciousness as culture along entire value chain is key. Food biosecurity is increasingly becoming
important, yet most developing countries are yet to begin to put policy mechanismsor laws that govern
their food value chains and protect it from fresh threats like bio-insecurity or even bioterrorism. There
must be good political will for food safety legislations to work in developing economies. There is need to
increase awareness of all stakeholders especially on updated regulations.

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Case Study 22:
You are the Editor-in-Chief of a news channel X. One of your journalists Mr A takes up a
contending issues and debate on that issues every day at 9 PM, which tops the TRP rating. Mr. A is
influenced by a particular political ideology. Of late, Mr. A started to target a particular political
party and favouring another political party, but still the show at 9 PM tops TRP rating. You also
notice that the news presented by the Mr. A endangering communal harmony in the country.

Even the communal disharmony is fast pervading in society due to rising instances of cow
vigilantism and mob lynching. While you start considering taking action against Mr. A, you find
that he holds a very good relationship with the founder and owner of that media house. Besides, the
past record of Mr. A is also very good and any adverse action against him will be opposed by other
team members and your immediate bosses. In addition, it may also bring huge losses for your
channel.
1. In such a situation, discuss the moral dilemmas for you.
2. By taking care of media ethics in mind, describe the course of action to handle this issue?

Introduction: The media is a microcosm of the national macrocosm, in which supporters of two divergent
ideologies have dug in their heels and are not able to arrive at a compromise, nor even hold a dialogue.
There is no longer analysis or exchange of perspectives but only stabs in the air which shuns or turns away
from the other.

Stakeholders
• Editor-in-Chief (me): It is the responsibility of the editor to regulate whatever is coming out to
the public through the channel. It is his/her mandate to guide his/her employees
• Journalist Mr A: His programme is a success and he is a valued member at the channel with
connection to the bosses.
• Channel X and its owners: Channel is rated high with higher TRP rating and actions against Mr
A could result in huge losses to the owners
• Public at large: Media is the 4th pillar of the democracy. When media ignores the facts and become
a propaganda manufacturer, it is doing a crime against the people of the country. Moreover, the
programme is causing polarising tendencies among different communities
• Political parties: The party which is attacked by Mr A is losing its political image while the party
for which Mr A talk for is improving its image. Neither of these are happening based on the facts.

In such a situation, the moral dilemmas presented before me are as follows:


• Profit vs. Ethics: Though Mr. A’s programme is unethically attacking a political party while
boosting other party and is furthering the polarising tendencies, it is able to raise TRP of the
channel and hence the profit through ads.
• Political propaganda: Media is supposed to provide facts to the citizens. It is up to them to form
opinion and take sides. When propaganda is provided as facts, media is unable to perform its duty
as the 4th pillar of democracy
• My job vs. Mr A’s job: Since Mr. A has contacts with founder and owner of the channel, actions
against him could result in losing my own job.
• Employee support: Since Mr. A is liked by everyone and his programme is a huge success, no
one in the channel is likely to support my cause of regulating the programme according to media
standards

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By taking care of media ethics in mind, the course of action that I would take in order to handle this
issue is as follows:
1. Share your concern with Mr. A: If he’s able to understand my point of view and able to see the
effect his programme has on the country’s polity and society, he can tone down the propaganda
nature of his show
2. Move up the chain of command: Take the help of people up in the chain of command in order to
regulate Mr. A’s programme if step 1 didn’t work.
3. Regulate Mr. A’s programme: As editor-in-chief, I can regulate the socio-political divisiveness
created by not allowing guests with extreme viewpoints.
4. Fire Mr. A: If Mr. A is still not ready to work according to the standards of media ethics; he can
be dismissed as a last option. This can show others the value the channel has to keep up while
doing journalism
5. Owners could retract the dismissal: If the channel is not enabling me to work according to
standards of media ethics, it is better to quit from the channel than to

Conclusion:
With some of the media looking like a government brochure, it is no longer sought out as a medium of
expression but shunned as a means of oppression. In situations like this, it the duty of every citizen to
gather all viewpoints before coming to a conclusion. It has become the duty of every editor-in-chief and
media owner to ensure that they satisfy the highest quality of media ethics in their channels.

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CASE STUDIES ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Keywords
Prevention Mitigation Preparedness Post Disaster Crisis
Management
Vulnerability assessmentEarly Warning Awareness Emergency response
systems campaigns
Disaster risk reduction Multi-channel Community level Physical and Psychological
communication programmes rehabilitation
Strengthen safety norms First point of response Risk cover Reconstruction
and construction rules
Capacity building Impact Recovery
assessment
Mock drills Build back better
Risk zoning

Case Study 23:


You are a young IAS officer, recently posted to an urban area that has been hit by severe floods.
The area is densely populated and most of the residents are low- income families living in poverty.
The flood has caused extensive damage to the infrastructure and houses, leaving thousands of people
homeless and without access to basic necessities such as food, clean water, and shelter.
As the officer in charge of the relief and rehabilitation operations, you are under immense pressure
to provide immediate assistance to the affected people. However, you soon realize that the resources
available to you are limited, and the needs of the affected people are much greater than what can
be met with the limited resources.
At the same time, you are approached by local politicians and businessmen who offer you a deal.
They promise to provide additional resources, such as food and shelter, in exchange for allowing
them to take control of the relief operations and redirecting the resources to their own benefit. You
are well aware of the fact that these individuals have a history of corruption and have been involved
in similar schemes in the past.

You are faced with a difficult decision. On one hand, you want to ensure that the resources are
distributed fairly and reach the people who need them the most, especially the poor and vulnerable.
On the other hand, you are aware that accepting the deal could mean allowing these individuals to
take advantage of the situation and exploit the suffering of the affected people for their own gain.
You are also aware that your actions could be seen as going against the interests of the powerful
local politicians and businessmen, which could lead to your transfer or even face disciplinary action.
(a) In this situation, how do you maintain your integrity and resist pressure from local
politicians and businessmen to redirect resources for their own gain?
(b) What ethical factors do you take into account when evaluating the potentialoptions and
consequences of your actions in this situation?

Introduction:
The given case involves the need for fair distribution of limited resources among disaster-hit people. The
local politicians and businessmen try to take advantage of situation by offering an unethical deal. As a
lawful officeholder, the IAS officer is expectedto uphold values like integrity, objectivity, and justice.

Stakeholders
• Young IAS Officer (me): It is my responsibility to ensure fair distribution of reliefmaterials to
the affected people.

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• The affected people: Basic right to get relief assistance is at stake.
• Local politicians: Corrupt motives are at stake.
• The businessmen: Possible corrupt motive behind the deal.
• Taxpayer: Public resources are at risk of corruption.

In such a situation integrity can be maintained in the following ways


1. Not giving in to pressure: Here the deal offered by politician and businessmen is highly likely to
have underlying corrupt motive. It is my duty to uphold integrity and Justice, as that relief
assistance reaches the most deserving people.
• Following civil service foundational values: Values such as integrity, impartiality and
objectivity must be followed to stay away from unethical practices.
• Transparency: Any deal in this matter should be transparent to make sureno hidden corrupt
motives are there.
• Using my own conscience: Voice of conscience will help to do the right thing even when there
is external pressure.
2. Resisting pressure from the politicians and businessmen:
• Demand written orders from the politicians: Since the deal involves unethical practices,
they are less likely to give written orders. This will deter politicians from doing unethical
things.
• Intimating higher authority: This will help to ease the pressure on me and I could carry on
my duties more effectively.
• Requesting more resources from the government, public and NGOs: The external pressure
in this case can be eliminated if more resources are available for the relief operations.

Ethical factors under consideration are as follows


• Integrity: As a civil servant it is my duty to use authority in an honest manner. Moreover, it is my
duty to ensure the affected people get all the assistance.
• Objectivity: Here demand of local politicians and businessmen are unreasonable and unethical.
• Empathy and compassion: These poor and vulnerable affected communities need assistance
immediately. The proposed deal involves redirecting the resourcesfor selfish motives of a few.
• Fairness: Available resources must be distributed fairly. The deal involves unfair advantages to
corrupt politicians and businessmen.
• Prudent use of public resources: Public resources are precious and should beused judiciously.

Potential options and consequences of your actions in this situation are as follows
1. Option 1: Accepting the offer.
• Merits
o Additional resources: This will help in the effective distribution of relief materials to the
people affected.
o No conflict with local politicians and businessmen.
• Demerits
o Dereliction of duty: The proposed deal would allow corrupt people to take control of
relief operations. The deserving people may not get assistance.
o Corruption: Misuse of public resources for vested interests.
2. Option 2: Rejecting the offer.
• Merits
o Upholding integrity: Ensures that the corrupt people do not get involved in the relief
efforts.
o Judicious utilization of public resources: By preventing diversion of public resources.

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• Demerits
o Personal setback: Going against the interests of the powerful politicians may invite
actions such as transfers.
o Limited resources: Hence, relief operation would be challenging.
3. Option 3: Requesting more resources from the higher authority and NGOs.
• Merits
o No corruption: Since the corrupt politicians and businessmen isnot involved.
o Additional resources: Helps to address the resource crunch.
o Help all the people in need with more resources.
o Upholding my duty: Since the need of people will be met.
• Demerits
o Delay in getting additional resources and thus in relief efforts.

Conclusion:
I will choose a combination of Option 2 & 3, i.e., rejecting the offer and requesting more resources
from the government and NGOs instead. Because accepting the offer made by the local businessmen
and politicians would results in corruption and injustice. It is my responsibility to ensure that these poor
and vulnerable people get relief assistance even if it results in personal setbacks such as disciplinary
actions. This option would help to uphold my integrity and objectivity.

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CASE STUDIES ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Ethical Premises and Keywords


Environmental Ethos Systemic changes Information Environmental health
dissemination
Negative externalities Disenfranchisement Short sightedness Survival of mankind

Second order effects


Resettlement and Moral responsibility Principle of
Rehabilitation Sacroscency of life
Information and Crisis of Conscience Environmental Delicate ecosystem
Education campaign safeguards equilibrium
(IEC)
Sensitization Moral and legal sanctions Negative externalities Contamination

Jan Andolan Institutional capacity Impartial enquiry Social audit


Community initiatives Regulatory compliance Corporate social Internalization of
responsibility negative externalities
Greater good Environment Impact Long term costs and Due diligence
Assessment/ Social effects
Impact assessment

Case Study: 24
Naresh is a civil servant who got the opportunity of getting posted as a head of the section in State
Pollution Control Board in the Koppal district of Karnataka. Kopal is being promoted as having
one of the biggest toy clusters of India. In that region, there were large number of toy factories and
industries. Prime Minister has also argued for giving a boost to the toy manufacturing sector by
highlighting the industry and promoting local toys in his monthly radio programme ‘Mann ki Baat’
where he talked about local entrepreneurs making “toys for the world" and highlighted the
country’s ability to become a “toy hub".

Strategically located, the district offers human resources in abundance, the cluster also assist in
empowering women in Karnataka as the toy manufacturing is highly manpower intensive. He
discovered that many migrant workers were also employed by these sectors. The majority of
industrial facilities are in possession of an environmental clearance certificate. The environmental
clearance aims to stop projects and industries that might harm the region's ecology and living
things. Along with acquiring the general licenses and authorization, Plastic toy manufacturers also
have to file for Environmental compliance that are governed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest
and Climate Change.

However soon Naresh realized that most of these units continue to pollute the environment invarious
ways, including through soil, water, and air pollution. As a result, the local population experienced
ongoing health issues. Toys are made of plastic containing heavy metals like cadmium, lead or other
toxic chemicals like dioxins. Some of the harmful substances that are found in plastic toys are
Phthalate, Bisphenol A, Polystyrene, Polyvinyl Chloride etc.

It was established that most industries were not following environmental regulations. All industrial
units were given notice from Naresh to request a new environmental clearance certificate from the
appropriate authority. However, several of the industrial units, other entrenched interest groups,
and some local politicians reacted negatively to Naresh's decision. The workers turned antagonistic

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toward Naresh as well because they believed that his decision would force the closure of these
industrial facilities, and the ensuing unemployment would put their livelihoods in danger.
Many business owners pleaded with you not to take strong action because doing so would force
them to close their operations, result in significant financial loss, and result in a shortage of their
items on the market. This may also hurt the vision of Prime Minister to promote toy industry in
India. Naresh simultaneously started receiving threats from unknown corners.
(a) Under the given conditions, what are the options available to Naresh?
(b) Critically evaluate each of the options.
(c) What option should Naresh adopt and why?
(d) What measures should Naresh take to ensure environment compliance?

Introduction:
The economic significance of the environment is evident with the range of ecosystem services that it
offers. Rapid industrialisation and urbanisation are inevitable to bring in desired levels of economic
development. Noticeably, environmental quality is being compromised for the goals of mass employment
generation and poverty reduction.

Stakeholders
• Naresh, Head, SPCB: His duty as head of SPCB is to protect local people and theenvironment.
• Owners of toy factories: Making these owners reapply for the environmental clearancecertificate
might result in closure of these industries.
• Migrant workers in toy factories: The migrant labourers might lose their jobs if theseindustries
close down.
• Local people: Most of these units causes air, water and soil pollution resulting in local people
encountering persistent health problems.

Options available to Naresh under the given situation are as follows


• Option 1: Cancel the old clearance certificates with immediate effect and ask the owners to
apply for new clearance certificates without which their factories will be closed.
• Option 2: Considering the challenges faced by owners and migrant labourers, call back the
notice sent to owners for new clearance certificates.
• Option 3: Give time of at least 1 month for factory owners to comply with environmental
standards.

Evaluation of each options are as follows


1. Option 1: Cancel the old clearance certificates with immediate effect and ask the owners to
apply for new clearance certificates without which their shops will be closed.
• Merits
o Not tolerating environmental pollution: It will send a message for the industries thatthe
EPCB will not tolerate any kind of environmental degradation.
o Immediate respite for local people: When the industries shut their production
immediately, the result can be seen in air, water and soil of the locality.
• Demerits
o Affects the migrant labourers: Unemployment issues for the migrant population will
result in extreme poverty in their households.
o Loss for industry owners: Struggling small and marginal industries in the country
might have to close down the production resulting in huge loss for them.
o Threat to life: I was getting threats for this policy shift from many corners.
o Job stability: Stability of the job may be in question as there are local politicians
involved against the policy change.
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o Loss to consumers: When immediately shut down, it will create shortage of products
that they were manufacturing in the market
2. Option 2: Considering the challenges faced by owners and migrant labourers, call back the
notice sent to owners for new clearance certificates.
• Merits
o No mass unemployment: Migrant population working in these industries will continue
working there without the threat of job loss.
o No factory shutdowns: Struggling small and marginal industries will not be forced to
shut their production saving them the loss that might have incurred.
• Demerits
o Health hazard: Local population will suffer because of pollution caused by industries.
o Departmental failure: The department will be failing to perform its duty if thepollution
in the region is not under control.
3. Option 3: Give time of at least 1 month for the owners to comply with the environmentalstandards.
• Merits
o Time for compliance: Industry owners will get time to comply with environmental
standards that need to be kept.
o Building consensus: The time will help Naresh to build consensus with factory owners
aswell as locals to find an amicable solution.
o Slack for migrant workers: Migrant labourers who works in these industries will get time
to find new job somewhere else if the owners fails to comply with the pollution standards.
• Demerits
o Short term issue: Local population might have to suffer for one more month as relaxation
is given for the industries to comply.

Most appropriate choice for me would be Option 3. That is, providing time of at least 1month
for the owners to comply with the environmental standards.
• Time for compliance: Industry owners will get time to comply with environmentalstandards that
need to be kept.
• Termination of the strike: Migrant labourers who works in these industries will get timeto find
new job somewhere else if the owners fails to comply with the pollution standards.
• Building consensus: The time will help Naresh to build consensus with factory owners aswell
as locals to find an amicable solution.

Measures that Naresh should take to ensure environment compliance are as follows
• Public participation: Conducting of formal and informal education programmes relating to
environment management and environmental awareness programmes can go a long way in
controlling environmental degradation and keeping the environment clean.
• Economic incentives: Incentives should be given in the form of variable fees to resources users
for the quantity of pollutants in air, water and land use.
• Regulatory policies: Regulators have to take decisions regarding price, quantity and technology.
In making decisions, they have to choose between the quantity or the price of pollution or resources
use or technologies.
• Polluter pays principle: It means that absolute liability for harm to environment extends not only
to compensate the victims of pollution but also the cost of restoring the environmental degradation.

Conclusion:
A business can have a tremendous impact on environment despite its size. Small business too has key role
to play on how to decrease pollution and green the business. Technological upgradation such as zig-zag
technology used in brick kilns are need of the hour to decrease the pollution it is causing to environment.
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Case Study: 25
As a police officer, you have been assigned to investigate the incident and determine the cause of the
tiger's death. Upon arriving at the scene, you discover that the residents of the village claim that
the tiger had been attacking their livestock and causing widespread damage to their crops. In self-
defense, they killed the tiger. However, the local conservationists argue that the residents were
motivated by fear and greed, as the value of a dead tiger is much higher than a live one.

The government is faced with the challenge of balancing the protection of endangered species and
preservation of the country's natural heritage, while also addressing the practical concerns of local
communities. International conservation organizations and animal rights activistsare also closely
monitoring the situation, calling for greater efforts to protect tigers and their habitats. They argue
that the killing of a single tiger can have a significant impact on the already endangered species, and
highlight the need for effective conservation and management programs. The media is also playing
a significant role in shaping public opinion and raising awareness about the issue. They are
reporting on the incident and highlighting the various perspectives of the different stakeholders.

This incident raises several important concerns related to animal-human conflict, ethics,and
defense. The residents of the village can be seen as acting in self-defense, as they were facinga
significant threat to their livelihoods. But, killing an endangered species is illegal and unethical, and
it is possible that the residents' actions were driven by greed rather than genuine concern for their
safety.
(a) Identify the ethical issues involved in this case.
(b) What options are available to you in this situation and how will you respond to the
stakeholders involved and solve this case?

Introduction:
Human-animal conflict is a complex issue that arises when the interests of humans and animals collide.
This conflict can be driven by a variety of factors, including greed, fear, and competition for resources.
These conflicts can have significant impacts on both humans and animals, and it is important to find ways
to mitigate or resolve these conflicts in a manner that is fair to all parties involved.

Ethical issues Involved:


The ethical issues involved in this case are:
• Animal Welfare: The killing of an endangered species raises ethical questions about the treatment
of animals and the protection of their welfare.
• Human-animal Conflict: The residents of the village are in conflict with the tiger and are
defending their livelihoods, which raises ethical questions about the balance between human
interests and animal welfare.
• Conservation and Preservation of Natural Heritage: The killing of a single tiger can have a
significant impact on the endangered species and raises ethical questions about the responsibility
of the government and the community in preserving the natural heritage.
• Environmental Ethics: The tiger's habitat and its ecosystem may also be negatively impacted by
the killing, raising questions about our ethical responsibilities to the environment.
• Laws and Regulations: The killing of the tiger is illegal and raises questions about the
effectiveness of conservation and wildlife protection laws and their enforcement.
• Greed vs. Self-defense: The motivation behind the killing of the tiger raises ethical questions
about whether the residents' actions were driven by greed or genuine concern for their safety.
• Media representation: The media is playing a significant role in shaping public opinion and
raising awareness about the issue, which raises ethical questions about the role of media in shaping
public opinion and its responsibility to report accurately and objectively.

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• Conflict between Different Stakeholders: The different perspectives of the residents,
conservationists, animal rights activists, and the media highlight the conflict between different
stakeholders and raise questions about how to resolve these conflicts.

What options are available to you in this situation and how will you respond to the stakeholders
involved and solve this case?

Options available to me as a Police Officer along with Merits and Demerits:


As a police officer, the options available to me are:
1. Option A: Investigate the situation properly, gather all relevant information and enforce the law
strictly and ensure that justice is served. This would send a clear message that such actionswill not
be tolerated and help to deter similar incidents in the future.
• Merit:
o This would make sure that the culprits are punished and law prevails.
o It can act as a deterrent for the others.
• Demerit:
o This approach would not address the core problem faced by the residents and there will be
chances of repetition of the event.
o It can increase tensions between the community and authorities.
2. Option B: Investigate the situation properly, and also engage with the community and
conservationists to understand the grievances. This would also include media sensitization.
This would take time but also provide a long term solution to the issue.
• Merit:
o It will result into the sustainable development of the natural ecosystem.
o Grievances of local inhabitants can be solved properly with community participation.
o It will educate and aware the communities about the importance of nature andendangered
species.
o It can increase bonhomie between community, authorities and conservationist to further
plan holistically for the problem.
o This would also ensure working on the core issue.
• Demerit:
o It will need participation of all, local community or may be conservationist may be
reluctant to participate.
o It will be difficult to bring Environment Conservationist and local inhabitants at the
same page.
o It will be a time taking process.
On evaluating, I would like to proceed with Option B, which although will take time but will ensure a
more holistic approach to the problem.

Course of Action:
As a police officer, my role is to enforce the law and investigate the incident to determine if a crime has
been committed. In this case, the killing of an endangered species is illegal and therefore, it maybe
necessary to pursue legal action against those responsible. But it's also important to consider the
circumstances that led to the killing and the practical concerns of the local community.
Therefore, I will follow the approach of balancing the interests of different stakeholders as well as making
sure that the law of the land prevails:
1. Government:
• I will carefully consider the circumstances surrounding the death of the tiger to determine the
motivations of the residents and the extent of their self-defense and ensure that the rule of the
land prevails.

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• I will provide an unbiased report of the investigation and also let them know about the problems
faced by the villagers.
2. Residents of the village:
• I will listen to their concerns and understand the reasons behind their actions.
• I will request the government to work with the local communities to provide support and
alternative measures to reduce human-wildlife conflict, like financial compensation for crop
damage or livestock loss, or the deployment of wildlife management teams to monitor the
situation.
3. Local Conservationists:
• I would make sure that their concerns are taken seriously and conduct a thorough investigation
into the incident.
4. International Conservation Organizations and Animal Rights Activists:
• I would urge the government to engage in open and transparent communication with these
groups to explain their actions and respond to their concerns.
• I would request the administration to consider their suggestions for improving conservation
and management efforts, and report on any progress made in protecting tigers and their
habitats.
5. Media:
• I would make sure that the media is provided with accurate and timely information to help
them report on the situation in a responsible and balanced manner.
• I would use my position to request the government to take advantage of the media's reach to
raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and the challenges faced by local
communities in reducing human-wildlife conflict.

Conclusion
Each stakeholder has different interests, concerns, and perspectives on the situation, and it is important
to consider these when responding to them. The government should work with all stakeholders to find
practical and sustainable solutions to reduce human-wildlife conflict, and to ensure the long-term survival
of tigers and other endangered species.

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Case Study: 26
As the Director General of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, you have been
approached by a private construction company, XYZ Construction, with a proposal to construct a
new highway in a densely forested area. Thecompany has promised to fund the project in exchange
for the Ministry's approval and assistance in obtaining necessary permits and permissions. The
proposed highway would connect two major cities, which are currently onlyconnected by a single
narrow two-lane road that is often congested and leads to frequent accidents. The company has
presented the project as an opportunity to improve road safety and transportation in the region.
Upon further examination, it has become clear that the project would require the cutting down of
thousands of trees and the construction of the highway wouldlead to increased pollution in the
surrounding area. Moreover, you have been made aware that you have personal financial
investments in XYZ Construction and your close relative is working in the company as a senior
management. The local community and environmental groups have organized protests against the
construction of the highway, arguing that it would cause irreparable damage to the forest and the
wildlife that inhabits it.

As the Director General, you are now facing a difficult decision. On one hand, youare aware that
the current road infrastructure is inadequate and the proposed highway would improve safety and
transportation. On the other hand, you are aware that the construction of the highway would have
a negative impact on the environment and the local community. Furthermore, your personal
financial investments in XYZ Construction and your close relative working in the company, raise
ethical concerns and potential conflicts of interest.
(a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.
(b) What are the options available to you in this situation? What steps can you take to ensure
that the decision-making process is transparent and fair to all stakeholders?

Introduction:
The given case involves construction of the highway which would require cutting down trees in the
locality. The dilemma between environmental protection and economic development is increasingly
becoming a common challenge to the decision makers.

Stakeholders
• Director General of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (me): It is my
responsibility to ensure adequate and safe transportation is available. The director alsois expected
to uphold the integrity of the office.
• XYZ construction company: The project is in line with the economic interest of the company.
• People of nearby towns: The proposed highway would help to improve transportation.
• Forest and wildlife : Cutting down the trees likely to affect the wildlife and the ecosystem
• Environmental activists: Protesting due to perceived negative impacts of the project.

Ethical issues involved in this case are as follows


● Development vs environment: While a new highway would help to improve transportation in the
locality, cutting down trees would cause harm to the environmentand wildlife.
● Pollution: Construction activities causes pollution and affects health of the local people
● Potential conflict of interest: As the Director General has personal interest in the XYZ company
(investment as well as relative working in the company), it might come in conflict with the public
interest (here, environmental protection as well as people’s will).
● Compromise objectivity and fairness: Since the director has personal interest, his/her decision
could compromise the independence of the office and this might lead to erosion of public trust.
● Negative attitude: Local people and environmental activists are protesting against theproject.

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Options available to me in this case are as follows
1. Option 1: Go on with the project approval
● Merits
○ Safe and adequate transport will be ensured for the people.
○ Personal interest is upheld as stopping it could result in personal loss (investment and
relationship).
● Demerits
○ Environmental cost of the project is ignored
○ Conflict of interest would arise and this would compromise integrity of theoffice of the
director and ultimately cause erosion of public trust.
○ Protests by environmental activists will continue.
2. Option 2: Denying approval for the project
● Merits
○ No felling of trees. Hence, negative impacts on the environment can beavoided.
○ No more public protest against the project.
○ No pollution due to construction
● Demerits
○ Poor road infrastructure will continue to pose a risk of accidents.
○ Development interest of locality will be compromised due to lack of efficient
transportation system.
○ Personal loss to the director as he is the stakeholder in the XYZ constructioncompany.
3. Option 3: Formation of expert committee to study the issue.
● Merits
○ More detailed study of the environmental and social impact of the project canbe done.
○ Likely to build consensus among stakeholders as they can raise concerns before it.
○ Conflict of interest may not arise as decisions would be based on expertopinion.
● Demerits
○ Cause delay in decision making
4. Option 4: Recusing myself from decision making on grounds of personal interest
● Merits: Avoiding potential conflict of interest and uphold objectivity of office of director
● Demerits
○ Non-fulfilment of duty as a decision maker
○ Delay in decision making would cause further confusion and economicinterest of the
company is at stake.

Steps that I can take to ensure a transparent and fair decision-making process are asfollows
● Disclosure of private interest: This will help in eliminating any potential conflict of the interest.
People in decision-making roles should uphold values such as fairness and objectivity.
● Ensuring transparency: This will help in avoiding any doubt in people’s mind and also
strengthen trust of people in the system
● Follow Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): Departmental protocol in decision making
should be followed in the case of potential conflict of interest.
● Consensus building: Developmental projects by taking stakeholders into confidence tend to have
more acceptance. Hence, the local people including environmental activists can be invited for
discussion to reach a consensus.

Conclusion:
I will choose option 3 as it involves a more inclusive and fairer decision-makingprocess. Expert team will
incorporate scientific study and public consultation in final decisionmaking. Also, this option will help to
avoid potential conflict of interest. Hence, option 3 is the most appropriate.

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CASE STUDIES BASED ON LAW&ORDER AND SECURITY

Ethical Premises and Keywords:


Social Engineering Honey trapping Trigger happy culture
Zero-tolerance approach Cyber hygiene Effective eyes and ears scheme
Community policing Identity theft Cyber activists
Governance deficit Yellow journalism Radicalization
Paramilitary panacea Cyber bullying Information superiority
Environment of intimidation Lax gun control regime Age of hyper-information
Developmental loneliness Counter narratives and Hammer and Tongs strategy
awareness generation
Disinformation Malaise Resolute and irreversible action Strategic courage

Case Study 27:


The Maoists have waged an armed insurgency against the government for decades. Their leaders
say they are fighting on behalf of the poorest, who have not benefited from the economic boom in
Asia's third-largest economy. The government said that it will not tolerate such bloodshed and a
befitting response will be given to put an end to the ongoing battle with Maoists. Security experts
said the latest attack in Chhattisgarh by Maoist rebels, considered as the India's biggest internal
security threat, has forced Prime Minister to re-evaluate counter-insurgency operations against the
ultra left-wing fighters, who have been able to increase new followers during the pandemic.

You are the head of the CRPF under Government . You have been asked by the government to give
prudent advice to deal with the increasing threat of Left wing extremism in the states like
Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. The government does not want to deal Maoism through violence
as it will affect civilian development activities. In addition to that, modernisation of CRPF forces is
still a pending task. On the other hand, there is pressure on Government from opposition and civil
society to cut down paramilitary force budget and focus on pandemic related welfare scheme and
other social sector issues, especially development of the Maoism hit regions.

Youth in the local areas Local population, especially youth is fed up and migrating to other districts
due to this menace and loss of life and property.

Discuss the following with reference to this case:


1. Identify ethical issues pertaining to this case
2. What steps would you suggest to the deal with the situation? (Answer in 250 words)

Introduction:
According to data provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), there has been a steady decline in
Left Wing Extremism (LWE) related violence and geographical spread of LWE influence in the country.
Such incidents have reduced from 2,258 in 2009 to 349 incidents till August 2021.

Stakeholders
• Maoist group: They are trying to follow an outdated ideology of violence against 21st century
government. They are not only helping the poor, but also harming their very existence.
• Local population, especially the youth: Local youth are forced to join Maoist ranks. They are
also suspected by police and armed force for their alleged connection to Maoists. It has become
impossible for them to live peacefully in the region amidst the clash between the two.
• Government: Government is caught between the menace of Maoism and financial crunch caused
by the pandemic. It is forced to cut down its expenditure on armed force modernisation.

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• CRPF and its head (me): Without adequate budget, CRPF cannot put pressure on Maoists. If the
government reduce their funding, it can change the security situation in the region to worse.

The ethical issues involved in this case are as follows:


• Outdated ideology: Maoists are effectively harming the very population which they are trying to
help. Use of violence has never given long-lasting peace in the history.
• Supporting the armed force: Government is trying to curb violence by violence if it decides to
use excessive force against Maoists which will destabilise the lives of local population in the region
• Security vs. Healthcare: Government is spending more on security when the need of the hour is
the saving the lives of people from the deadly pandemic
• Denial of basic human right: In the fight between CRPF and Maoist, the local population is
denied the right to life and of opportunities to the extent that they are migrating to neighbouring
regions

Steps that I would suggest to the deal with the situation are as follows:
• Use CRPF for managing Covid: Deployed armed forces in the region could help the healthcare
workers to control the pandemic in the region. This will help CRPF gain trust of the local
population which will be crucial in the online fight against the Maoist.
• Don’t reduce the CRPF budget: The Maoist are under check because of the efficient CRPF
efforts. It enables the government to do developmental activities at a faster pace and safer mode.
• Local collaboration: Government should make a local collaboration of local police, CRPF,
healthcare workers and local youth to handle the situation of security and pandemic in the region
so that all the stakeholders are motivated by the situation in ground zero.
• Avoid violence repression: Use of violence must be used only if and when it is absolutely
necessary. It should be also noted that no government force should result in death or injury of local
population.
• Revamp the surrender policy: States should rationalize their surrender policy in order to bring
innocent individuals caught in the trap of LWE into the mainstream.

Conclusion:
Though the number of incidents of LWE violence has come down in the recent past, continued efforts and
focus are needed in eliminating such groups. Innovative measures are required to be employed in
preventing IED (Improvised Explosive Device) related incidents which have caused significant casualties
in recent years.

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Case Study 28:
In some of the districts of border states of Assam and Tripura, illegal migrants from the
neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar enter in significant numbers. But in recent
times due to the humanitarian crisis in one of the neighbouring nations, illegal migration has
increased exponentially. Already there is a clamour against the migrants because of dilution of
culture and other rights by the tribal population of the country. In addition to this, it is also well
known that this region is vulnerable to the insurgency, which led to poor development in the region.

To add to this, rise in illegal migration has resulted in terror activities, smuggling of arms, menace
of narcotics, and internal conflicts due to burden on already scarce resources. All these led to the
low employment rate in these states. Due to the poor liveability, there is growing frustration among
the youth against the government and system. It also comes to the news that local bureaucrats and
politicians are in nexus with such non-state actors in supporting such criminal activities for their
vested Interest. This led to the rise in human rights violations in these districts.

These not only affecting the regional development and human development in the region, but also
threatening internal security, bilateral relationship with the neighbouring countries and forcing
people to move out of their districts for better lives.

Based on the above facts, answer the following.


1. Identify the various dimensions of such a crisis from an ethical perspective.
2. If you are appointed as the D.G.P Law and Order in one such state, how will you bring stable
law and order in the region?

Introduction:
Illegal migrants face severe backlash from the local population. It has been a bone of contention between
India and neighbour countries for long time.

Stakeholder:
• Local population of the region: They are bearing the burnt of illegal migrants and corrupt
officials.
• Migrants: They are facing the wrath of humanitarian crisis in their home countries and seeking
safe refuge.
• Host Country: India is facing a dilemma to achieve the balance of providing safe home for illegal
migrants and concern of local population.
• Non State Actors: They are thriving due to the chaos of illegal migrants and challenging the
security of country.

Ethical perspective of the crisis:


• Violation of fundamental rights: Illegal migrant are violating the fundamental rights under article
29 & 30 of the tribals.
• Violation of Equity: Any strict action against the migrants would aggravate their miseries.
• Challenge of International ethics: Providing safe refuge to people facing humanitarian crisis is
an accepted principle of international ethics.
• Issue of human development: Rise in insurgency and sharing of resources will lead to poor
human development.
• Threat to Integrity: Rise in non-state actors and insurgency can cause threat to integrity of
country.
• Violation of Public duty: Corruption and nexus between officials and non-state actors lead to
undermining of public duty.

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Steps to ensure law & order in the state:
1. Action against corrupt officials: Undertake action against the erring officials who are involved
in nexus and corruption.
2. Coordination with border forces: Will undertake coordination with the border security forces to
keep a tab on the illegal immigrants.
3. Clear Communication: Ensure clear cut communication with people on regular basis to prevent
any spread of rumours.
4. Action against non-state actors: Take action against the non-state actors indulging in terrorism,
money laundering & drug trafficking.
5. Community Policing: Undertake initiative of the community policing to bridge the trust deficit
between police and community.
6. Use of Technology: Focus on use of technology like CCTV and others for reliable intelligence
gathering for crime prevention.
7. Filling the vacancies: Make Policy recommendation to fulfil all the vacancies in the police
department in order to improve security.
8. Shifting of illegal immigrants: Make Policy recommendation to shift the identified illegal
immigrants on a specific site and provide them with ID card.
• Example: Bangladesh has create a colony in Cox Bazaar for the settlement of Rohingyas.
9. Security to investors: Provide security to the investors and their assets in the state by increasing
police presence.
10. Reward Scheme: Create a reward scheme for reliable information on terrorism, money laundering
and drug trafficking.

Conclusion:
Sustenance of law and order is pre requisite for the development to take place. It would enhance investors’
confidence, encourage economic activities and curtail anti national activity. This would help in generation
of employment and inclusive growth in long term.

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Case Study 29:
You are a senior officer at an intelligence agency. Recently through the sources of Ministry of
Home Affairs your department was warned that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has
devised a new plan to honey trap the government officials through Facebook and other social media
platforms. In a series of steps, government of India has banned the use of social networking
platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp for all the personnel of the intelligence
agency. The problem of enemy intelligence units using the ‘honey trap’ method to blackmail Indian
government officials into revealing confidential information has been an increasing cause of concern
for the government.

You find out that a junior officer of your department has become a victim of honey trapping.The
junior officer had Facebook and his phone was hacked, and important confidential files related to
national security were leaked. Therefore, you decide to take action, as he could not be allowed to go
on using modern technology to run wild under your nose. The entire department has come together
to ask you to do something against the officer. However, the officer is very hardworking and a
valuable asset for the organisation. This junior officer also appreciates the fact that you always
helped him in adverse circumstances and helped him grow up when he took a rough start. The
situation is also based in a sensitive environment so any action against him would bring a bad repute
to this organisation.
(a) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by you?
(b) Under the given conditions, what are the options available to you?
(c) Critically evaluate each of the options listed by you.
(d) What option would you adopt and why?

Introduction:
With all aspects of our life turning virtual, from shopping to dating, it was only natural that the art of
honey trapping too would turn digital. There are two ways of entrapping someone online. The first is via
a social media profile, by infecting their lives and devices. The second is to find someone on adult sites
and inject malware into their phones and computers. This can lead to long periods of blackmail and
information-sharing; sometimes it is a one-off intelligence grab. It is also important to note that women
are as vulnerable to the same hacks as men in honey trapping.

Stakeholders:
• Intelligence agency: Leakage of sensitive information is an intelligence failure and would costthe
agency its reputation
• Senior intelligence officer (me): Tasked with the assignment of acting against the junior officer
he mentored
• Junior officer: He/she failed in his duty when he/she was honey-trapped and lost sensitive
information from his/her phone
• Public at large: Intelligence agency, though work in secret, is accountable to public via their
representatives. Intelligence failures like this could cause riots, attacks or disturbances in the
country

Ethical dilemmas faced by me in this case are as follows


1. Conflict of interest: Being the mentor of the junior officer, the senior officer has to take a decision
without letting his interest in him/her come into play
2. Media visibility vs. Punishing the deserving: Senior officer is in a dilemma as punishing the
officer would make the issue public bringing a bad repute to the agency
3. Skill vs. Mistake of the employee: Punishing the junior officer may cost him his job which
will be a loss to the agency since he is an asset

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4. Departmental pressure: Entire department wants the junior officer punished and this can, but
should not influence the decision of the senior officer

Options available to me in this case are as follows


1. Option 1: Senior officer understands the junior very well since he personally nurtured him. So,he
can forgive the officer and warn leave him with a warning
2. Option 2: Since senior officer has personal relation with the junior, he needs to sight conflictof
interest and submit all the evidence he/she gathered to another panel to take the decision
3. Option 3: Punishment is inevitable since he/she lost sensitive agency information:
• If bad reputation alone is the issue the agency has to face while punishing the officer, the
agency should go ahead with it.
• But if state secrets are to come out while punishing the officer, the agency should limit its
punishment at administrative level without involving media in it

Evaluation of each of the options listed are as follows


1. Option 1: Senior officer understands the junior very well since he personally nurtured him. So,he
can forgive the officer and warn leave him with a warning
• Merits
o Second chance: Since the officer is skilled and is an asset, he will be given a second
chance.
o Escape from media trail: The department will be saved from possible shaming in frontof
the whole nation.
• Demerits
o Set a bad precedent: It gives negative message to other officers that the department
will tolerate such unprofessionalism.
o Lack of trust: Other officials will lose trust in my capability to take an impartial
decision and will be alleged for favoritism.
2. Option 2: Since senior officer has personal relation with the junior, he needs to sight conflictof
interest and submit all the evidence he/she gathered to another panel to take the decision
• Merits
o Avoided conflict of interest: Even if the junior officer is punished, there is a chance of
alleged favoritism in the name of type of punishment.
o External decision: The decision of acting against the junior officer will be impartial
and seen to be impartial
• Demerits
o Escaping from one’s duty: By citing conflict of interest, I’ll showing the department
that I’m incapable of acting when personal reasons are involved.
3. Option 3: Punishment is inevitable since he/she lost sensitive agency information:
• Merits
o Setting a precedent: By punishing the junior officer, I will be setting a good precedent for
other officers to follow and other agents will be more aware about the challenge of honey
trapping while in the job.
o Commanding respect: The faith of other officers in me to take an impartial decision will
be restored which will help me run the department well.
• Demerits
o Loss of talent: The department might lose the time and money invested in the junior officer
in order to make him skillful in intelligence trade.
o Shame to the department: If the accused junior officer is punished publicly, it will bring
shame to the department and people will doubt in its capability to protect the nation.

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As senior officer of the intelligence agency, I would like to take option 3 as the course of action and
the reasons for the same are as follows:
• Setting a precedent: By punishing the junior officer, I will be setting a good precedent for other
officers to follow and other agents will be more aware about the challenge of honey trapping while
in the job.
• Commanding respect: The faith of other officers in me to take an impartial decision will be
restored which will help me run the department well.
• Unavoidable punishment: Falling prey to honey trapping is a very serious fault that an
intelligence agent can commit and hence he/she is to be punished/dismissed.

Conclusion:
The military intelligence should be carrying out selective checks on phones, laptops and desktops of
officers and soldiers in sensitive areas. A list of dos and don’ts should be prepared in using social media
platforms like Facebook and Instagram. An information warfare team should be set up at the Army
headquarters. Suspected Twitter handles and Facebook accounts should be identified.

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Case Study: 30
As a Superintendent of Police (SP), you have been assigned to a district where peaceful coexistence
amongst members of various faith sects is the norm. The district is frequently frequented by tourists
from throughout the world and is also well-known for its architectural history. However, there was
a situation in the neighboring state where members of two separate communities started fighting
over religious disagreements. India has been one of the most inclusive and secular states globally,
thus encouraging investors and tourists to come and take a look at the diverse land of immense
opportunities but communal violence have repercussions across the entire nation. You have learned
from a variety of sources about the distribution of some hate speech videosin your own area of
jurisdiction, which have the potential to undermine the state of law and order.
Additionally, you are aware that a number of foreigners with questionable motives havebegun to
enter your district. One locality saw the cold murder of a shopkeeper who had previously reported
threats he had received for putting something online. It was purelya criminal act, but the district
president of the ruling party wanted to make political capital out of it by taking out a funeral
procession. The nation is in shock after this occurrence. In such a tense social scenario, the political
parties are still stuck on the dirty blaming game. You have been notified that a sizable
demonstration would be held in your neighbourhood by hundreds of members of the community
the shopkeeper belonged to.
(a) In the given situation, what are the options available to you to ensure that the law and order
situation in the district remains stable. Provide a detailed account of your course of action.
(b) Hate speech in India is a result of various facilitating factors. In this light discussthe
impact of hate speech and suggestion to effectively deal with the same.

Introduction:
Hate speech is an attempt to further marginalize classes and groups of persons who are already in a
minority due to their race, language and religion. The recent instances ofhigh-profile politicians making
speeches were a clear attempt at inciting violence which ledto large scale violence. These instances are
yet to be dealt with by law enforcement agencies.

Stakeholders
• Me (Superintendent of Police): There is talk among staff that I may be promoted to
Principal.
• Ruling party: It is trying to make political capital out it by further polarizing peopleof political
gains
• Community members of the shopkeeper: They are deeply hurt and want to be heardand want
justice.

Options available to me in order to maintain law and order is as follows


1. Option 1: Deny permission for funeral procession citing law and order issues
• Merits
o Maintaining law and order: Without the procession, there won’t beany instance of hate
speeches and communal violences
• Demerits
o Impractical: It is equivalent to playing with the emotions of peoplefrom the community
of the shopkeeper.
o Political influence: Since the procession is organized by the rulingpart member, such
decisions could be overthrown easily.
2. Option 2: Contact the organizers of the procession and make them accountable to the possible
violence by making them signing an affidavit. Limit the number of people who can participate in
it. Avoid procession in roads where conflict is possible

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• Merits
o Maintaining law and order: As legal action against organizers are not a possibility,
chances of violence is lesser
• Demerits
o Unforeseen events: In such a charged situation which runs on emotions, it is difficult to
predict the outcomes

Hate speech in India is a result of the following facilitating factors


• Social media platforms are susceptible to misuse due to their reach andanonymity. Thus, it is
very difficult to trace who is posting such content.
• Media’s deliberate and unintentional negative portrayals of speeches impactpeople’s view.
• There is lack of legal clarity as to what constitute hate speech and what does not.This has led to
the culprit not being prosecuted.

Impact of hate speech in India are as follows


• Propagation of hate speech by the terror outfit leads to radicalization of youthand poses a
threat to internal security of a nation.
• Hate speech leads to hate crimes as seen during exodus of North Eastern students from
Bangalore (2013).
• The hate speech has led to rise of refugee crisis not only within Indian but alsoaround the
world. For e.g.: Rohingya crisis in Myanmar.
• Hate speech causes fear and lead people to withdraw from public debate and thusimpact freedom
of speech and expression.

Suggestion to effectively deal with hate speech in India are as follows


• Awareness generation: There is also a need for involvement of religious heads tobuild empathy
across religious lines.
• Effective training: There is also a need for training among police officers and legal bodies for
encouraging reporting of such content.
• Involvement of the victims and speakers: Direct and constructive involvementof the victims
and speakers, whether online or offline, has resulted in results.
• Law Commission of India and TK Vishwanath Committee: There is a need forinsertion of new
Section in IPC in from of Section 153C to effectively deal with hate speech.

Conclusion:
Many critics argue that the hate speech laws in India are not adequate, however, the already existing laws
are more than sufficient to deal with such instances. The part missing in not curbing this menace is the
lack of enforcement of these laws due to reasons like political interference.

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Case Study 31:
The Irula tribals are landless, they have neither proof of residence nor ration cards. Hence, the
authorities refused to issue them voter identity cards. The poor and the marginalised are denied
even the basic rights that a bourgeois democracy is supposed to grant to its citizens. One day a
person from Irula tribe gets falsely implicated in a theft case and is hauled off to jail. After which,
he goes missing and the police claim he has run off from the station. A Lawyer filed a habeas corpus
petition. High Court ordered for an investigation and appoints you as the head of the investigation.

During investigation, you came to know that he undergone various third-degree police torture and
died in custody. To cover up the murder, the police cart his body in the dead of night to throw it by
the wayside in neighbouring district and they claim that the tribe escaped from custody. In addition
to this, during investigation you came to know that police officers of the concern region are involved
in arresting innocent tribes for their vested interest. As the government is dragged into the case, the
government is pressurising you to change the report in favour of the government i.e. report should
upheld the claims of police department that tribe is escaped from the jail.

In addition to it, you being a police officer, you know that if you submit the true report, trust on the
Police department in the public will be ruined. Before the day of your submission to the high court,
you came to know that your name has been recommended for the promotion.
Discuss the following with reference to this case: (Answer in 250 words)
1. Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.
2. What are the options available to you in this situation?
3. Explain your selected course of action.

Introduction:
The recent death of a father-son duo from Tamil Nadu, allegedly due to custodial violence, has sparked
anger across India. Custodial violence primarily refers to violence in police and judicial custody. It
includes death, rape and torture. Recently, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) noted that police stations pose
the highest threat to human rights and dignity as custodial torture\violence and police atrocities still prevail
despite constitutional guarantees.

Stakeholders
• Dead tribal person and the community: It is important for the tribal youth murdered to get
justice. It is also important for the vulnerable community in order to feel safe and secure to live in
the region.
• Investigator (me): Police officers and their department, government in power wants me to submit
the report in one way while my conscious says otherwise.
• Police Department: Trust on the police department by the tribal community as well as general
public will be diminished on the submission of true report.
• Police officers: Officers who had made it a habit to arrest the innocent tribes for their vested
interests are under the threat of losing their jobs because of the investigation
• Government: It wants to resolve the issues in any cost and doesn’t care about giving justice to the
vulnerable tribal people.

The ethical issues involved in this case are as follows:


• Denial of basic human right: The tribal people are denied voters id making them not a part of
democratic institution while torturing them using the tools of governance such as police.
• Influencing the investigator: Government is trying to tilt the investigation in a way that it prefers
by trying to bribe the investigator through promotion recommendations

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• Protection vs. Harassment: The policemen who are supposed to protect the vulnerable tribal
people itself harassed them to the extent where one of them was murdered.
• Governance vs. Political mileage: Government which is supposed to protect the democratic right
of tribal people and ensure justice for them, is pressurising the investigator to change the report in
favour of the government

The options available to me in this situation are as follows:


• Submit the true report: Since the investigation panel is constituted by the High Court, it is my
utmost duty to submit the report in its truest form as soon as possible before the court
• Submit partially true report: Without changing the basic facts, I can omit out certain information
to protect the trust people have one police department. This can give another chance to the
department to correct its mistakes by weeding out the corrupt policemen teaching the others a
lesson.
• Submit to government’s persuasion: It may not be good for my career to go against the
government especially when it is recommending me for a promotion.

I will be selecting option number 1 for the following reasons:


• Role of judiciary: The case is at a point where the judiciary is supposed to take decision. I have
no right to influence and I’m obliged to give true report as that is the mandate given to me by the
court.
• Weeding out the corrupt policemen: The report in its true form will empower the court to punish
the individual policemen who are behind the murder of the tribal youth and who regularly targeted
the tribal people for harassing them.
• Clear consciousness: Changing the report for the government with or without taking
government’s bribe in the promotion will result in tainted consciousness and I won’t be able to
live with myself knowing that I failed the people with no voice when I was supposed to be their
voice.
• Trust on police department: When the corrupt policemen are punished, it will reinstate the trust
that people have on judiciary and policemen will be taught a lesson not to misuse their power.
• Government’s inaction turned into action: When the highlights of the report comes to the media,
government will also be forced to take steps so that such incidents shall never occur in future. They
will also roll out schemes and plans in order to gain the trust of the tribal people. Since they value
votes, they will ensure that all the tribal people in the region getting the voter id cards.

To keep police excesses in check, dissemination of information about the constitutional right to legal aid
and availability of free legal aid services is necessary. Accessing justice in India is not merely an
aspirational goal. Judiciary needs to work hand in hand with various wings of the government to make it
a practical reality.

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CASE STUDIES BASED ON TECHNOLOGY

Keywords:
Technology as a useful servant Necessary evil
Data mining Ethics of emerging technology
Workplace monitoring Destructive technology
Automation Privacy paradox
Digital divide Technological dominance
Artificial Super Intelligence Use of ICT

Case Study 32:


ICT has a significant impact on the economic, political and social dimensions of development. It has
enhanced economic activity, empowered individuals by ensuring their participation in decision-
making processes at various levels and exposed diversity of views. However global nature, speed,
convenience and anonymity offered by ICT is being misused to create numerous threats such as
cyber-bullying, cyber grooming, hacking, pornography, radicalisation, intimidation, breach of
privacy, reputation loss, identity theft etc. Rapid growth of information and communication
technology, with all its benefits, has associated risks and far-reaching consequences. School closures
as a response to the COVID-19 lockdowns have led to an unprecedented rise in unsupervised screen
time for children and young people, which in turn exposed them to a greater risk of online violence.
Various reports have indicated increased incidence of cyberbullying and online child sexual
exploitation. Recognising that school-related violence i infringement of children’s right to education
and to health and well-being, UNESCO Member States have declared first Thursday of November
as International Day against Violence and Bullying at School, including cyberbullying. The aim is
to raise awareness among students, parents, members of school community, education authorities
and others about problem of online violence and cyberbullying. Govt has established a committee
to draft guidelines for bring good governance in cyberspace in India. Committee has seeking public
opinion for framing guidelines. As concerned citizen, give your suggestions on themes:
1. Why do you think some people or a set of people are more vulnerable to cyber threats with
special emphasis on cyber-bullying.
2. Do you think the experiences and exposure in cyberspace are an important influence in a
person's attitude and behaviour?
3. What reasonable restrictions can be applied to make cyberspace more safe and friendly to
all citizens? (Answer in 250 words)

Introduction:
India has the world’s largest number of WhatsApp and Facebook users and it has the second highest
number of internet users in the world after China. In 2012, the Microsoft Global Youth Online Behaviour
Survey found that 22% Indian kids admitted to being bullied online, 52% admitted to being bullied online,
and 65% children admitted to being a witness to bullying behaviour. National Crime Records Bureau
(NCRB) data suggests that there was 25% increase in cyberbullying instances in India from 2017 to 2018.

Stakeholders
• Parents and children: Children and young students, and hence the parents, are the victim of
cyber-bullying and it has the potential to scar them for life.
• Government: Every time a criminal act such as cyber bulling is conducted, it questions the
efficacy and the very existence of the system of the government.
• Teachers and educators: It became the primary responsibility of teachers to understand if any of
their students are victim of cyberbullying as students spend most time with them after their parents.

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Some people or a set of people are more vulnerable to cyber threats for the following reasons:
1. Emotional needs: It is observed that people whose emotional needs are not met by the parents (or
other close relations) because of their busy schedules tend to seek that support from outside world.
But often many of them becomes the victim of cyberbullying.
2. Gender: According to a study by the PRC, 38% of girls report that they’ve been cyberbullied,
compared to 26% of boys. The invisible hand of patriarchy is still at work.
• Example: Women are generally abused and trolled on online platforms such as Facebook and
YouTube even for expressing their opinion.
3. LGBTQ+: LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to be bullied or otherwise victimized compared to their
peers. GLSEN found that they are three times more likely to be bullied online.
4. Special Needs Students: According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in the 2014-
15 school year, 35% of students had special needs. Other statistics show that 66% of special needs
students experience bullying in school, compared to 25% of other students

Experiences and Exposure in cyberspace are influence in person's attitude and behaviour in ways:
1. Cyber-babies: Teachers are reporting escalation of problems regarding pervasive tablet use in
preschool-age children like developmental delays in attention span, fine motor skills, dexterity,
speaking, and socialisation, increase in aggressive and antisocial behaviour, obesity, and tiredness.
2. Cyber-friendship: If children have grown up spending most of their social time online with
thousands of these “friends,” they may not get enough real-world experience in handling social
groups of any size rendering them even less able to cope with real-world crowds.
3. Selfie culture: Each year, as technology becomes a more dominant factor in the lives of teens, the
cyber self is what interacts with others, needs a bigger time investment, and has the promise of
becoming super popular, or an overnight viral celebrity.
4. Privacy Paradox: What’s private for one generation may not be private for another generation.
Teens actively adjust what they present online depending on the audience they want to impress.
The locus of their identity has become external to them.
5. Cyber selection: Face-to-face encounters between individuals, romantic or otherwise, are steadily
on the decline. We are moving from natural selection to cyber selection.
• Example: In case of Tinder app, process of swiping right for approval, and learning that your
own image has been swiped right by someone else, has been described as “addictive” and even
rewarding on a neurological level.

Reasonable restrictions that can be applied to make cyberspace safer and friendlier to all citizens:
• Keep the computer in a common area: So that parents can watch and monitor their kids. Avoid
putting a computer in a child’s bedroom. It is also a safe practice to have the child turn in to parents
all mobile devices at night.
• Joint email accounts: Share an email account with younger children. That way, parents can
monitor who is sending them messages.
• Spend time online together. Teach kids appropriate online behaviour, including information
about cyber bullying, ‘netiquette’ and being respectful and kind while online. Visit their favourite
internet sites with them.
• Monitor the social networking activities: Monitor kids’ use of social networking sites such as
Facebook, Instagram, etc. Be aware of what information is being revealed and what information
can unknowingly identify your child.
• Automatic disconnection: Websites that has potentials of cyberbullying and profiles that
routinely harass people must be suspended with immediate effect and deleted after detailed enquiry
Although it is important to respect the privacy of children and youth, safety may sometimes trump these
privacy concerns. Taking an active role in kids’ Internet activities will help ensure that they benefit from
the wealth of valuable information it offers without being exposed to any potential dangers.

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CASE STUDIES BASED ON INTERNATIONAL ETHICS

Ethical Premises and Keywords


Just war theory Mutual non-aggression Non-alignment
Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam Peaceful co-existence Credit imperialism
Patriotism Brotherhood Strategic convergence
Global citizen Respect for National Sovereignty Mutually assured destruction
National interest Solidarity Proxy wars
Panchsheel doctrine Debt-trap funding Zero-tolerance towards terrorism
International Morality Strategic autonomy Global governance
Tragedy of commons Idealism Institutional Sclerosis

Case Study: 33
You are a diplomat representing the government of India and have been assigned to address a
growing ethical concern at the International Money Bank (IMB). The International Money Bank
(IMB) is a large global financial institution that provides loans to countries in need to help alleviate
poverty and promote sustainable development. However, in recent years, the IMB has been accused
of prioritizing profits over poverty alleviation and promoting sustainable development, which has
raised serious ethical concerns among the public and stakeholders.
The main issue at the heart of this conflict is the IMB's lending practices. It has been found that the
bank has been lending large sums of money to countries with high levels of corruption, despite the
fact that these loans are unlikely to reach the general population, and instead, end up in the hands
of a select few individuals. The bank has also been criticized for failing to conduct adequate due
diligence on these loans, thereby enabling corruption and unethical behavior.
The IMB's lending practices have attracted significant media attention and sparked widespread
public outrage. Many are questioning whether the IMB is truly committed to alleviating poverty
and promoting sustainable development, or if it is simply looking to maximize profits. This has
resulted in a loss of trust in the institution and has raised serious concerns among the government
of India and other stakeholders.
As a diplomat, you are now tasked with representing the government of India and its stakeholders
in addressing this conflict of interest at the IMB. In light of these developments, the government of
India has launched an investigation into the IMB's lending practices. The investigation has revealed
that several top executives at the bank have personal and financial ties to countries receiving large
loans, which raises questions about the integrity and impartiality of lending decisions being made.
1. To what extent should IMB prioritize profits over poverty alleviation and sustainable
development?
2. Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.
3. What are the options available to you in this situation? Explain your selected course of
action.

Introduction:
International development banks, work as financial institution designed to provide medium- and long-
term capital for productive investment, often accompanied by technical assistance, in poor countries. They
provide finance to both private and public sector for sustainable development projects.

IMB should balance Profits, Poverty Alleviation and Sustainable Development:


• Role: At a time when few institutions are lending during the global financial crisis, the
International Money Bank (IMB) should offer lower interest finance for the developing nationsto
alleviate poverty.
• Honesty: IMB must function with honesty, truthfulness and sincerity while remaining fair and

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ethical at all times – and strive for sustainable development through ethical lending norms.
• Creativity: The International Money Bank shall desire to reach beyond the norm, challenge
the status quo and shape new vistas for its stakeholders. IMB must be creative in thinking when
planning profit from some of the development projects.
• Accountability: IMB must remain responsible, transparent and accountable in its functioning. The
International Money Bank’s corporate strategy should be shaped by the willingness to take
ownership for its actions which affect IMB’s stakeholders.
• Dependability: The International Money Bank shall remain reliable and trustworthy to all its
stakeholders. IMB should strive to be consistent in its performance across all the services offered
by it.
• Sincerity: IMB shall believe in building productive, long-term relationships based on sincerity
with its clients and stakeholders. The International Money Bank should regard its sincerity towards
each other is just as valuable as what it collectively achieve.
• Excellence: The International Money Bank should have the right attitude to diligently deliver what
it promise such as sustainable development this can add value to its investment projects. IMB can
achieve excellence through innovation, expertise, thoroughness and experience.

Ethical Issues involved in the case:


• Credibility at Stake : The International Money Bank facing media attention and widespread
public outrage due to lending large sums of money to countries with high levels of corruption.
• Conflict of Interest: Preliminary investigation has revealed that several top executives at the bank
have personal and financial ties to countries receiving large loans.
• Lack of Probity: Without any probity loans are being offered by IMB, which is not reaching the
general population instead the funds are being misused by select few corrupt individuals of
receiving nations.
• Low Principles: International Money Bank is a large global financial institution with high
principles, but it has been accused of prioritizing profits over poverty alleviation and promoting
sustainable development.
• Accountability: As a diplomat of Government of India, I have been assigned to address conflict of
interest and growing ethical concern in functioning of the International Money Bank.
• Governance Issue: The case highlights the plight of hindrance in poverty alleviation projects,
shortcomings in promoting sustainable development and ingrained corruption at higher decision-
making level of International Money Bank.

Options available for me.


As a diplomat appointed by Government of India, following options are available for me:
1. Show leniency in the investigation to protect several top executives of IMB.
• Merit: Since top executives won’t face any action, the International Money Bank’s image
could be saved at the international level.
• Demerit: No action against top executives will further encourage them and others to
continue unethical practices while lending loans.
2. Suggest to take action against the concerned executive found guilty in the investigation.
• Merit: This will improve the reputation of International Money Bank which is facingmedia
attention and widespread public outrage.
• Demerit: This action could be considered as a temporary measure with no guarantee that
such unethical practices won’t occur in future.
3. Do through investigation, recommend strict action against the top executives and suggest long
term reforms in the International Money Bank.
• Merit :

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o Standard criteria for various loans could be set which will reduce conflict of interest of
decision makers.
o IMB’s reputation will improve at the international level due to action against thecorrupt
executives.
o To a large extent it will restore trust of the public and media.
o Individuals involved in poverty alleviation and sustainable development project will notbe
able to influence the executives of International Money Bank.
• Demerit:
o It may affect the International Money Bank’s reputation in the international banking
sector.
o Rival finance banks may use it as an opportunity for expansion of their credit finance in
developing nations.

Selection of Appropriate Course of Action:


l I would choose the 3rd option to address the ethical concern and conflict of interest found
among the executives of the International Money Bank.
l This option will help in overcoming corrupt practices and bring appropriate principles in termsof
functioning and lending norms of the IMB.
l It will also achieve the goal of balancing profit, poverty alleviation and bring sustainable
development for loan seeking nations.

Conclusion:
The International Money Bank should play a key role of ending extreme poverty and promoting shared
prosperity around the world. It must issue loans and grants to low-and middle-income countries by funding
sustainable development projects which will significantly reduce poverty in these countries.

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Case Study: 34
Nuclear weapons are the most destructive weapons ever developed. The right to possess these
weapons is an issue of serious contention in the international community. Non-proliferation treaties
exist within the United Nations, and between countries, such as between the United States and
Russia. The most comprehensive, the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), consists of a
pledge by current nuclear weapon states to reduce their nuclear stockpiles and achieve nuclear
disarmament in return for non-nuclear weapon states not developing such weapons.

While some countries and institutions are eager to see a reduction in nuclear weapon stockpiles,
others are eagerly seeking to obtain them. North Korea recently developed their first functional
nuclear weapon, and Iran is often accused of attempting to develop their own. Such countries have
met with international condemnation.

So far, despite the NPT, those who were recognized as nuclear powers have not upheld their side of
the bargain and disarmed. This has led to the question ofwhether other countriesshould also have
a right to nuclear armament. Those that aretrying to prevent these regimes gaining nuclear weapons
counter that despite slow progress the NPT still applies. They are worried that weapons developed
by less wealthy states are more likely to fall into the hands of terrorists, either through a lack of
secure facilities or through being sold.

Bring out valid arguments in favour of nuclear disarmament in the light of


(a) Humanitarian issues involved.
(b) Security issues involved.

Introduction:
This case study effectively conveys the idea that nuclear weapons are the most destructive weapons ever
created and that the right to possess them is a topic of intense debate in the international community
because, in defiance of the NPT, those nations recognised as nuclear powers have not complied with their
disarmament obligations, raising the question of whetherother nations should also be permitted to possess
nuclear weapons. Many people are concerned that weapons developed in less wealthy countries are more
likely to fall into the hands of terrorists, either due to a lack of secure facilities or because they are sold.

Issue involved:
1. Humanitarian Issues:
• Unequal Advantage: With the unequal distribution of nuclear capabilities in today's world,
certain nations are at an immediate advantage over other countries.
o Example-Since 1945, the United States, the Soviet Union/Russia, the United Kingdom,
France, China, Israel, India, Pakistan, and North Korea have armed themselves with
nuclear weapons that have much more destructive power in comparison to those that
destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
• Against the spirit of humanity: The very nature of destruction emanating from the use of
nuclear weapons is against the very spirit of humanity.
o Example-Hiroshima is like an open wound on the whole of the human race, and like all
wounds, this poses two possible developments: the hope and healing, onthe one hand,
and the danger of a lethal infection.
• Ethical concern: Nuclear weapons do not discriminate between armed personals and
civilians. Unleashing nuclear weapons will lead to large scale loss of innocent lives and non-
combatants which is ethical unacceptable even in times of war.
o Example- Nuclear weapons were first conceived and then used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
in order to demonstrate to the Russians their destructive capabilities. This demonstration,

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letting the experiment be performed on a worthless corpse, was carried out on real human
beings who had already surrendered.
• Loss of environment: The radioactive fallout from nuclear processes is detrimental to
environment and affects nations across borders.
• Immoral Means of resolving conflicts: Primarily because it promotes the idea that, in order
to resolve conflict, it is ethically acceptable and practically feasible to destroy others, in terrible
pain, forgetting that we belong to a common human family.
• Injustice to the coming generation: The rights of future generation are affected as they may
face deformity and lack of development hurting their prospective economic and social rights.
• Conflict of interest: Proliferation is the risk that states that have nuclear weapons increase
their weapon stockpiles or that new states become nuclear-armed to match their enemies.
o Example-small group of the nuclear industry's leading elites to prevail over the survival
instincts of an entire species.
• Poor example of leadership: Those responsible for nuclear weapons are responsible for, and
proactively maintain, a mindset based on the assumption that “national security” is the supreme
good, an end in itself. Therefore, any sacrifice, including human sacrifice, is more than
justified, even if it leads to the extinction of the entire human race, a phenomenon more
prevalent since Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
• Human right violation: Nuclear war results in human right violation of innocent citizens
through disease, migration and displacement and at the large the deformity or death.
2. Security Issues:
• Terrorism: Large stockpiles of nuclear weapons can be misused by terrorists or somerouge
elements to compel the governments to give in to their demands.
• Self-defence versus Aggression: There is a possibility that during times of escalating bilateral
disputes, some country may use nuclear weapons as pre-emptive deterrence. This can cause a
domino effect with the other country firing in retaliation.
• Emergence of impulsive leadership: The impulsive behaviour of one leader/smallgroup
of leaders results in affecting the lives of a large section of people.
o Example-Continuous Nuclear threat by leaders like Putin and Kim Jong.

Conclusion:
Hiroshima and Nagasaki attacks in the past have shown the scale of massive human tragedyand long-
term repercussions for food & water availability, agricultural output, climate change, migration, etc.
Therefore, in order to get nations to understand this, there is a need to compel nations to rationalize their
weapon requirements; force them to find ways of reducing nuclear risks; and gradually pave the path
towards elimination of nuclear weapons.

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