GS4 · UPSC Mains

Under the Mid- Day Meal (MDM) scheme, children are served cooked food in their school. It has been revolutionary in not only improving the nutritional status of children but also increasing the retention ratio in schools. However, the quality of food has been a cause of concern. In one of the unfortunate incidents, two students lost their lives and over thirty children fell ill after eating the MDM in their school. The district administration was quick in its action and fired the cook (bhojan-mata) of the concerned school. The bhojan-mata, who belongs to a backward caste, is the sole breadwinner in her family after her husband passed away. In an TV interview related to the incident, Bhojan-mata claimed that she is being made a scapegoat and being targeted only because she belongs to a backward caste. This created a political storm in the state. Opposition parties picked up the issue of social discrimination and started state-wide protest demanding justice for the bhojan-mata. The protest found resonance with masses and the ruling party was severely criticized. To win back the confidence of the public, the government has constituted a commission to investigate the matter in an impartial manner. You are a joint secretary level officer and have been appointed as a member of the commission. During the investigation, you found that bhojan-mata was indeed not at fault. It was the contractor who was supplying poor quality raw materials to the school that caused the food poisoning in children. You also found that the food contractor was the brother of a powerful cabinet minister. You suspect that the district administration was hand-in-glove with the contractor and they connived to implicate bhojan-mata and exonerate the contractor. You brought these findings before the head of the commission. To your surprise, the head of the commission informs you that he was already aware of these facts. He informs you that the minister has asked him to make a report that vindicates the bhojan-mata and reinstates her in order to subdue the opposition led agitations. He asks you to find someone else who can be blamed to ensure that the government is able to save its face as declaring the brother of a sitting cabinet minister responsible would push the government further in trouble. He also tells you that helping the ruling dispensation would ultimately help you, subtly giving hints of getting a 'plum posting' and also warns you that going against the wish of the minister can attract the wrath of the minister that can be disastrous for your career. 1) What are the various ethical dilemmas that you face in this situation? 2) What are the different courses of action that you can take? Identify the most suitable course of action and justify your choice.

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

GS4 · Case studies on the above issues GS4 · Public/civil service values & ethics in public administration — status & problems; ethical concerns & dilemmas; conflict of interest

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