GS4 · UPSC Mains

Ramesh has been appointed as the Municipal Commissioner of a coastal city that is grappling with the recurring problem of flooding. Over the years, these floods have led to significant loss of life and extensive property damage, raising serious concerns among residents and policymakers alike. In response to this persistent challenge, Ramesh is committed to finding effective solutions. To identify and address the root causes of the flooding, he established an expert committee tasked with analyzing the situation comprehensively and proposing actionable recommendations. Following extensive and thorough field surveys, the committee identified two primary factors contributing to the city's increasing vulnerability to floods. The first factor is the degradation of wetlands, which serve as critical natural buffers against flooding and play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance. The second factor is the illegal encroachments on the flood plains of seasonal streams. These encroachments have significantly reduced the streams' ability to carry water, increasing the risk of flooding. In light of these findings, the committee proposed two major interventions: the restoration of wetlands and the removal of unauthorized encroachments on the flood plains. These actions are aimed at effectively restoring the city's natural drainage system and mitigating future flood risks. Ramesh recognizes the necessity of implementing these measures to ensure the city's long-term safety and resilience against flooding. However, he is also aware of the potential human cost associated with these interventions. The illegal structures in question are inhabited by marginalized migrant laborers, and their removal would render many families homeless, significantly impacting their livelihoods. Despite his personal reservations regarding the social implications of these actions, Ramesh feels compelled to proceed with the committee's recommendations, as he believes they are essential for preventing future disasters. Subsequently, the operation to remove encroachments was launched with the deployment of a police force to ensure safety and order throughout the process. As the clearance of encroachments commenced, the affected residents expressed their opposition vigorously. Protests escalated into violent confrontations, resulting in assaults on officers and vandalism of government vehicles. The situation quickly deteriorated. When the police attempted to disperse the crowd, a stampede ensued. Tragically, this chaos resulted in the deaths of two elderly men. As the in-charge of the situation, Ramesh feels that these lives could have been saved if he had acted differently. a. Identify the various value conflicts faced by Ramesh in his role as Municipal Commissioner. b. Analyze the decision to remove unauthorized encroachments on the flood plains from an ethical perspective. c. If you were in Ramesh's position and in charge of the situation, how would you have approached the challenges presented by the encroachment clearance and the resulting protests?

25 marks · 250 words · 5 toppers answered this · seen 2025

GS4 · Ethics & human interface — essence, determinants & consequences of ethics; dimensions; ethics in private & public relationships GS4 · Case studies on the above issues

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