GS4 · UPSC Mains

You are a senior engineer working for S & P Constructions, a prominent government contractor. You are working at a construction site building a nuclear reactor facility. Along with other responsibilities at the site, you were also the safety in charge. One day as you did your weekly safety audit, you noticed that the welders had not followed procedures and used the wrong materials in some sections. The situation was hazardous since some defective welds appeared on the water pipes carrying coolant to the reactor core. The rupture of the pipes could cause disaster if safety backups failed simultaneously. You called a meeting of the welding supervisors to instruct them to rectify the faulty weldings. But even after two weeks, the welds were not fixed, and when asked, the supervisors said they had instructions from the superiors to go ahead with the way it is. You were shocked at this compromise of safety. You travelled to the HQ to discuss this with the senior management. Instead of taking corrective action, the senior management transferred you to a different site and warned you about discussing the safety practices of the nuclear site. You needed the job, so you returned to your new workplace quietly. After five years, the nuclear reactor was in the news for pipe bursts, killing ten engineers and due to the fallout, the neighbouring villages had to be evacuated. You could see your fears coming true. The nuclear facility was shut down, and an inquiry was instituted. You were also summoned for questioning as you handled safety during the construction. You were in a dilemma; tell the truth of safety compromise or hide it and keep the job. Further, your conscience was troubling you that you could have done something five years back instead of quickly taking the transfer. 1. What are the issues involved in the above case? 2. What options do you have in the above dilemma? 3. After evaluating the options, identify which option you would choose. 4. Do you think whistle-blowing could have been a good option five years back? (Answer in 250 words)

20 marks · 250 words · 6 toppers answered this

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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