GS4 · UPSC Mains
Anmol, the Chief Development Officer of a remote and aspirational district in India, faces a complex ethical dilemma. The district benefitted from the government's recent development initiatives, but it still struggles in the fields of health and education. Partnering with a national NGO, Anmol has seen significant improvements in these areas, especially during natural disasters when the NGO's role in delivering lifesaving medicines was critical. During one such disaster, the NGO played a significant role in providing critical life-saving medicines to people and prevented the loss of lives and spread of communicable diseases. Anmol's as well as the NGO's work during this time was recognised widely and even rewarded by the state and Central governments. However, Anmol later learned that the NGO has been involved in bribing local officials to operate effectively. This practice, although illegal, is seemingly widespread in the district. Anmol is now at a crossroads, having to decide how to address this issue without jeopardizing the essential services provided by the NGO, as they complement the government's efforts and there are no viable alternatives in the region. (a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case? (b) List the options available to Anmol and evaluate their merits and demerits. (c) Which option should Anmol choose and why? Justify with arguments. (Answer in 250 words)
GS4 · Public/civil service values & ethics in public administration — status & problems; ethical concerns & dilemmas; conflict of interest
| Topper | Rank | Source | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| G Srujana | — | Vision | p.45 |
| Anuj | — | VisionIAS | p.45 |
| Kshitij Aditya Sharma | — | VisionIAS | p.45 |
| Damanpreet Arora | — | VisionIAS | p.45 |
| Siddharth Kumar Meena | — | VisionIAS | p.45 |