GS4 PYQ (Mains Answer Writing): Ethics Case Study - 16 | UPSC Mains: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude PDF Download

As a senior officer in the Ministry, you have access to important policy decisions and upcoming big announcements such as road constructions projects before they are notified in the public domain. The Ministry is about to announce a mega road project for which the drawings are already in place. Sufficient care was taken by the planners to make use of the government land with the minimum land acquisition from private parties. Compensation rate for private parties was also finalized as per government rules.
Care was also taken to minimize deforestation. Once the project is announced, it is expected that there will be a huge spurt in real estate prices in and around that area. Meanwhile, the Minister concerned insists that you realign the road in such a way that it comes closer to his 20 acres farmhouse. He also suggests that he would facilitate the purchase of a big plot of land in your wife name at the prevailing rate which is very nominal, in and around the proposed mega road project. He also tries to convince you by saying that there is no harm in it as he is buying the land legally. He even promises to supplement your savings in case you do not have sufficient funds to buy the land.
However, by the act of realignment, a lot of agricultural lands has to be acquired, thereby causing a considerable financial burden on the government, and also the displacement of the farmers. As if this is not enough, it will involve cutting down of a large number of trees denuding the area of its green cover. Faced with this situation, what will you do? Critically examine various conflicts of interest and explain what your responsibilities are as a public servant. (UPSC MAINS GS 4)

• This is case of political interference and conflict of interest if he uses inside information for private gain. Using inside information is also seen as conflict of interest even if one is not direct beneficiary. A Civil Servant is needed to serve the larger public interest, save government resources wherever it is possible and help realise the goal of sustainable development. He should continue to implement the road project as planned rather than buckling under the minister’s pressure or getting alluded by personal gains. 
• This is what good governance warrants. This is the best option as it holds the civil servant in good stead with regard to his oath to service, commitment to constitutional values, society, nation and its people. But a civil servant is a human being and s/he may be afraid of the minister’s pressure or allured by the offers of personal gains with the help of the minister. A civil servant needs to be upright, courageous, sincere and honest enough to uphold the highest values of good governance that requires selfless service and probity. 
• Secondly, the civil servant may oblige the minister by changing the road plan for minister’s benefit due to fear. This a bad option. 

There is no need to be afraid of any pressure for two reasons: 
(a) constitution and law is on the side of the honest civil servants and
(b) as long as a civil servant is not permissive and palpable, there are ample provisions to help a civil servant to be firm on the principles of good governance. 

• Only those civil servants who are not willing to exercise their power and authority to uphold their constitutional duty and obligation and have some personal interest of ‘out of bound benefits’ in career are afraid. The last option of “doing what the Romans do while living in Rome” allures because changing the system in which the powerful people like minister’s are revered is impossible by one civil servant. One swallow does not make a summer. 
• Agreeing to the minister may improve the fortunes of the civil servant and the minister may be helpful in future in several ways. But this greed and connivance is not desirable as it flouts the people’s and national interest and leads to loss of lot of arable land and destitution. It will also lead to loss to government exchequer and it would be detrimental to sustainable development due to felling of mo.