Ethics: December 2024 UPSC Current Affairs | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

Q1: You are posted as an SDM in a division of district which is undergoing ethnic turbulence since sometime. There has been a substantial loss of lives and property due to the disturbance, following which you are given implicit orders by the ruling party of the area to move a certain section of population, belonging to a particular ethnic group, out of the area to control the situation. This order has put you in a difficult position as it goes against your own ethical values of targeting a section of population and moving them out of their homes. However, not following the orders will be taken as dereliction of duty and will put the onus on you for the loss of lives.
A. In this situation, what are the options available to you?
B. In your opinion, what can be the most appropriate course of action and why? (250 words)
Ans: The case presents an ethical dilemma for the SDM, torn between fulfilling politically motivated orders to evict a specific ethnic group and adhering to personal and professional values rooted in social justice and human dignity. The challenge lies in balancing duty ethics with the principles of fairness and social harmony.
Options Available

Recommended Option
Option 2 appears to be the most prudent approach to managing the situation.

Reasoning
Evicting an ethnic group could be interpreted as discriminatory, fueling resentment and worsening communal tensions. Such an action may lack a rational basis and appear politically driven, contravening the ethical standards of civil services. Ensuring a balanced response is essential for maintaining both law and order and social justice.

Proposed Course of Action

1. Conduct Ground-Level Investigation

   • Personally assess the situation and gather factual information to provide a clear understanding of the scenario.
   • Maintain open communication with political leaders to convey the complexity and seriousness of the matter.

2. Ensure Immediate Law and Order Measures

   • Deploy additional forces for patrolling and monitoring.
   • Enforce a zero-tolerance policy against any perpetrators of violence to restore peace.

3. Engage Stakeholders

   • Use persuasive methods to negotiate with political leaders, explaining the risks of forced eviction.
   • Collaborate with community leaders, grassroots workers, NGOs, and influential locals to foster trust and encourage peaceful resolutions.

4. Long-Term Measures

   • Develop initiatives to promote harmony between communities, such as dialogue sessions and cultural integration programs.
   • Encourage local governance bodies like Panchayats to advocate for coexistence and resolve disputes amicably.
   • Implement strict vigilance to prevent further incidents of ethnic conflict.

Conclusion
By taking a firm yet empathetic stance, the SDM can navigate this challenging situation effectively. Addressing immediate concerns while striving for long-term harmony showcases administrative impartiality, ensures social justice, and preserves public trust.

Q2: You are a District Collector of a city which is scheduled to go to polls in a week. The responsibility to conduct fair elections has been given to you. However, suddenly your mother suffers a heart attack and has to be admitted to a hospital in your home district, which is at a distance of 250 kms from the district of your posting. Doctor informs you that she needs to be shifted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and her chances of survival are bleak. You are the only child and want to be with her and your family at this moment. Your plea for an emergency leave has been rejected by the Election Commission. What would you do under such circumstances?
Ans: When faced with the ethical dilemma of balancing personal and administrative responsibilities, I would approach the situation as follows:
I would prioritize visiting my mother after work, aiming to return the same day. To stay informed about her condition, I would maintain communication with her doctor and update my seniors in the government. I would request a medical attendant for her care and seek permission from the election commission to visit her during quieter periods of election preparations, given that the hospital is only 250 km away.
To ensure smooth election management in my absence, I would take several measures:

• Inform the election commission about my absence after office hours.
• Delegate responsibilities to my subordinates and colleagues to maintain uninterrupted election preparation and execution.
• Limit the knowledge of my absence to a few trusted colleagues to uphold the perception that the district collector remains present in the city.
• Maintain constant communication with all relevant authorities and stakeholders.

While at work, I would stay connected with my mother to provide emotional support, reassuring her of my presence and promising to spend more time with her after the elections. Utilizing technology like video calls over Skype, I would aim to comfort her further. Additionally, I would ensure that the best doctors in the district oversee her case to provide optimal medical care.

Q3: You are the officer in charge of a refugee settlement team in a multilateral humanitarian organization. There is an ethnic conflict in the nearby border area and as a result, many people are affected and displaced. The economically better-off neighbouring countries have accommodated the streams of migrants with financial support from your organization. The violence in the region has increased recently and the influx of people seeking refuge has grown exponentially. With countries following protectionist policies the refugees are left in a vulnerable situation. You are asked to represent the organization for the settlement of refugees with neighbouring countries, who also happen to be a powerful economic bloc. However, they refuse any more accommodation on the following grounds:

• Drainage of resources in face of subdued economic conditions.
• Domestic political repercussions.
• Rehabilitation will encourage more influx.
• Permanency of settlement in face of better prospects than at home.

What are the counter-arguments that can be cited to convince the countries for an immediate solution? Suggest some long term measures as well that could be followed to address the problem.
Ans: As an officer responsible for overseeing refugee settlement issues within a multilateral organization, my primary duty is to ensure that refugees are provided with safe havens and have access to essential resources, including food, clothing, shelter, and medical care.
In addressing reluctance or resistance from nations to accept immigrant refugees, I propose the following measures:

• Financial Support: The multilateral organization should offer continued financial assistance for refugee resettlement and rehabilitation.
• Economic Absorption: Nations with strong economies can absorb temporary financial impacts while fulfilling their obligations as responsible global players.
• Utilization of Refugees' Potential: Refugees can be trained and employed as a source of affordable labor, benefiting the host nation's economy.
• Reputation Risks: Refusing refugees may tarnish a nation's global image, leading to criticism from humanitarian organizations and activists. This could adversely affect international trade and diplomatic relations, as credibility and perception are critical factors.
• Temporary Nature of the Crisis: Assure host nations that the refugee crisis is temporary, and most refugees are likely to return to their homeland once peace is restored.
• Global Examples: Cite successful examples of other nations actively rehabilitating refugees to encourage participation.

While the crisis may be immediate—stemming from ethnic conflict—its impact is long-term, involving loss of life and livelihood, displacement, social tensions, fragmentation, and generational consequences. Hence, I suggest the following long-term solutions:

• Safe Havens in Developing Nations: Explore the potential for creating permanent safe havens in developing or island nations with financial backing from the organization.
• Local Resettlement: Identify and resettle refugees in unaffected regions within the same country, facilitating their reintegration once peace is restored.
• International Collaboration: Negotiate with countries like Japan, which have aging populations, to accept refugees. These nations could provide work visas for 10–15 years, offering temporary employment opportunities.
• Support for Conflict-Affected Nations: Assist countries experiencing ethnic conflicts in their efforts to rehabilitate and resettle displaced populations.
• Global Advocacy: Highlight the refugee crisis at global platforms, such as the United Nations, and seek international assistance.
• Awareness Campaigns: Use digital and print media to shed light on the dire conditions faced by refugees and garner public and institutional support.

By adopting these measures, we can address both the immediate crisis and its broader implications, fostering a more coordinated and humane response to the refugee issue.

Q4: You are a Municipal Corporation Commissioner of your city which is under heavy rainfall over the last few days. The boundary wall of one of the housing society collapses. The incident took place at midnight, leading to the death of 12 workers, including two children, sleeping in the shade beside the wall. 
On the preliminary inquiry, it has been found that in spite of inappropriate soil conditions, the permission to construct wall was given by previous Municipal Commissioner, who happens to be your close friend. Also, irregularities in construction material have been found and the other officials in the department are trying to influence or manipulate you. The whole scenario seems like a nexus between the officials of the municipal department and builder. However, the builder is a close relative of one of the most powerful leaders of the party in power and is trying to threaten you. 
(A) What are the ethical issues involved and the options available to you in such a situation? 
(B) Also, suggest a course of action you would like to follow.
Ans: 

Case and Facts

• Loss of human lives due to wall collapse.
• Quality of construction material not ensured and checked by officials involved.
• The permitting officer (previous Municipal Commissioner) is my close friend.
• Pressure from colleagues and political party in power.

Stakeholders Involved

• The victims
• Previous Municipal Commissioner
• Colleagues
• Self
• Builder

Issues Involved

• Neglect of human dignity, no regard to the lives of poor people.
• Personal v/s professional relations: It would be difficult to investigate a close friend.
• Political pressure v/s carrying out one’s duty to take action against the builder.

Options available are

• Initiating disciplinary action as well as proper criminal proceedings against the wrongdoers.
• This will ensure justice as well as an opportunity for fair procedure in a court of law.
• However, it would be challenging and detrimental for personal growth in the bureaucracy in the long run.
• Allowing matter to calm down and letting police to investigate the case.
• This would maintain good relations with the department members as well as the previous Commissioner, while simultaneously adhering to the wishes of political party leader.
• However, this would create dissonance and affect mental peace as the conscience would not allow loss of justice to the victims.

Course of Action

• Providing immediate medical support and compensation to the victims should be the utmost priority.
• Analysing the evidence of corruption, cross checking and verifying them.
• This will help to avoid any false or mistaken allegations.
• Following the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of disciplinary action and report it to the concerned higher authority.
• Dissociating self from the investigation as friendship with previous Commissioner might influence the proceedings and create a conflict of interest.
• This would help avoid conflict of interest; ensure integrity, transparency and good governance.
• This would also help in breaking the nexus between the builder and the department members creating a deterrence effect.
• Initiate legal proceedings against the builder along with corrupt members of the department and not letting the political pressure affect the following SOPs.
• Finally, taking long term steps to reform the administration to avoid such instances in the future.
• As the head of the organization, one must be answerable and accountable to ensure transparency in future construction contracts.
• Social audits must be encouraged for effective governance.

Conclusion
The decision in such cases should not be based on friendly relations with colleagues. Probity and integrity should guide the decision in this case. The Municipal Commissioner must show courage of conviction, leadership and fortitude. The situation demands ethical neutrality of Max Weber so that personal relation is kept aside and civil service values are adhered.
Respect for human life is much above friendship and avarice for bureaucratic gains. As quoted by John Rawls in his theory of Justice, “Rights secured by justice are not subject to political bargaining or calculus of social interests.” Thus, ensuring social justice should be the prime responsibility of the Municipal Commissioner.