Ethics: August 2024 UPSC Current Affairs | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download
Q1: You are the zonal head of an important urban area in northern India. Being the administrative head you have the duty to implement all the directives given by your superiors and the court of law. The area under your jurisdiction has seen huge growth of illegal slums in recent times. These slums are providing low paid workers as well as cheap vendors of essential commodities like vegetables and eggs to the middle class urban households. But slums deface the beauty of the cities and spread lots of dirt and squalor in the vicinity. They are also breeding ground and hideouts for criminals. A PIL was filed against these unauthorized slums and the court has ordered for the destruction of all illegal encroachments on public land. However, its winter season in the area and it’s also raining for quite some time. A strong case is also made by the government authorities to remove these slums and their dwellers by force, even when the situation is not congenial. You are the enforcing officer. The following are some suggested options.
Please evaluate the merits and demerits of each of the options:
(a) You would vacate the slum by using police force without any consideration for the inclement weather and contribution which the slum dweller makes.
(b) You will request your senior officer to wait till the weather becomes normal and an alternative place for settlement of the slum dwellers is designated with basic amenities.
(c) You will suggest your senior officers to make it compulsory for all the apartment builders to have provision of very low cost shelters for such shanty but important workers along with every apartment and allot it with the help of administration to identified workers based on some objective criteria. Also please indicate (without necessarily restricting to the above options) what you would like to do, giving proper reasons. (300 words, 25 marks)
Ans: The issue of illegal slums is a multifaceted one, involving humanitarian, legal, and administrative concerns. In light of the court’s order and the weather conditions, each suggested option has its merits and demerits:
Option (a): Vacating the slum by using police force without considering the weather and contributions of the slum dwellers
- Merits: It ensures immediate compliance with the court’s directive, showing swift administrative action. It also addresses the legal issue of public land encroachment and begins the process of restoring the city’s aesthetic and sanitary conditions.
- Demerits: This action could lead to severe humanitarian crises, especially given the inclement weather. Forced eviction without adequate shelter could cause loss of life, severe health problems, and social unrest. It also disregards the essential role these workers play in the city’s economy, affecting middle-class households dependent on their services.
Option (b): Requesting senior officers to wait until the weather improves and alternative settlement is provided
- Merits: This approach is more humane, acknowledging the harsh weather and the basic needs of the slum dwellers. It allows time to plan for alternative housing, minimizing harm to the poor and ensuring compliance with the court order in a more responsible manner. It balances legal and ethical obligations.
- Demerits: Delaying action may give the impression of administrative inaction or non-compliance with the court order. This could invite criticism and even contempt proceedings. Additionally, finding and preparing an alternative settlement could take time, during which the situation may deteriorate further.
Option (c): Proposing that apartment builders provide low-cost shelters for these workers
- Merits: This option offers a long-term solution by integrating the workforce into the city’s housing structure. It addresses both the legal and humanitarian issues, ensuring that workers have affordable housing and that public land is not encroached upon. It also fosters social inclusivity.
- Demerits: This proposal requires a long-term policy change and may not provide an immediate solution. It could face resistance from builders and require significant planning and legal adjustments, making it impractical for immediate compliance with the court’s order.
My Approach:
As a zonal head, I would adopt Option (b), supplemented by proactive measures. This approach balances the legal, humanitarian, and practical aspects of the situation. I would:
- Immediately communicate with my seniors about the need for a temporary reprieve due to harsh weather conditions, while ensuring them that compliance will follow once alternative arrangements are made.
- Initiate coordination with urban planning authorities to expedite the identification of temporary shelters with basic amenities.
- Begin discussions on long-term solutions, like Option (c), with the municipal and state authorities, ensuring future policies accommodate affordable housing for essential workers.
This approach ensures humane treatment of the vulnerable population while adhering to legal obligations.
Q2: You are posted as a senior bureaucrat in one of the union territories of India. The government of the union territory and the lieutenant governor has been locked in a bitter confrontation over the appointment and transfer of senior bureaucrats. The post of joint secretary of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has been vacant for some time and needs to be filled urgently. You have been appointed by the government and one of your batch mates has been appointed on the same post by the LG under the directions of Central Home Ministry. Both of you have been ordered to take the charge and start working as the joint secretary of ACB which is the initiative of the union territory government. Analyze the situation from different perspectives and explain the implications of such a standoff? What steps you can take on your side to resolve this situation? (250 words, 20 marks)
Ans: The situation presents a governance conflict between the Union Territory (UT) government and the Lieutenant Governor (LG), creating a standoff over bureaucratic appointments. This conflict involves legal, administrative, and ethical considerations. Analyzing the situation from different perspectives:
Legal Perspective:
- Authority of the LG: As a representative of the Central Government, the LG has the constitutional authority to make appointments in UTs, especially when backed by the Central Home Ministry.
- Authority of the UT Government: The UT government exercises administrative control over local matters, including its anti-corruption initiatives like the ACB, as per the delegation of powers by the Constitution and applicable laws.
- Judicial Interpretation: The Supreme Court has previously ruled on the limits of the LG’s authority, emphasizing that the elected government should hold primacy in most administrative matters, except in areas directly overseen by the Central Government.
Administrative Perspective:
- Operational Impasse: The conflicting orders create confusion and a risk of paralysing the functioning of the ACB, which is a critical agency for tackling corruption in the UT.
- Morale and Bureaucratic Stability: Two officers being asked to assume the same position can lower morale, foster rivalry, and undermine bureaucratic efficiency.
Ethical Perspective:
- Public Interest: The core mandate of the ACB, which is to combat corruption, should not be compromised due to political or administrative tussles. The ethical duty of both officers and institutions is to prioritize public interest over personal or institutional gains.
Steps to Resolve:
- Initiating Dialogue: I would communicate with my batchmate to establish a collaborative approach rather than competition. We can jointly approach our seniors (LG and UT Government) to clarify the situation.
- Legal Clarification: Seek legal advice or a judicial intervention to resolve the ambiguity regarding who holds the rightful authority to appoint the Joint Secretary of the ACB.
- Temporary Coordination: In the interim, suggest that one of us temporarily hold charge while the other supports in a complementary capacity, ensuring the ACB's functioning is not disrupted.
- Appealing to Higher Authority: Engage with the Central Government or the President's office to mediate the conflict between the LG and the UT government, ensuring future administrative clarity.
The key is to avoid exacerbating the standoff while maintaining the efficiency and integrity of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Q3: Amit Kumar has been appointed as a senior Superintendent of Police in one of the communally sensitive districts of Uttar Pradesh. A terrorist involved in a serial bomb blast case has been given capital punishment recently. A local communal organization has asked the police for the permission to carry out a procession on the day of execution of death penalty. The organization also wants the police authorities to allow the funeral prayers be held on the streets of locality where the terrorist used to live. The situation is very sensitive as many in the community to which the terrorist belong feels that justice has not been done to the terrorist. Such prayers are usually done at the place of burial itself. Amit has been asked to take the decision regarding the permission. Allowing such activities may lead to communal clashes and not allowing them can further fuel the negative sentiments of the community towards the government. Analyze the situation from different perspectives and explain what decision Amit should take under such scenario. (250 words, 20 marks)
Ans: The situation presents a delicate balance between maintaining public order and respecting the sentiments of different communities. Amit Kumar, as the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), must carefully assess the legal, administrative, social, and ethical dimensions before making a decision.
Legal Perspective:
- Public Order and Law Enforcement: The primary duty of the police is to maintain law and order. Any activity, including processions or prayers that could incite communal violence, must be controlled. The Constitution allows for reasonable restrictions on freedom of assembly and expression when public peace is at risk.
- Processions and Public Gatherings: Granting permission for a procession, particularly for a sensitive case like this, could violate Section 144 of the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure), which prohibits public gatherings in situations where communal tensions could escalate.
- Precedents: Public prayers should be held in places of worship or burial grounds, as per common practice. Granting permission for street prayers in this case could set a dangerous precedent, encouraging similar requests in other volatile situations.
Administrative Perspective:
- Risk of Communal Clashes: Allowing the procession or street prayers could provoke other communities, potentially triggering violence. The administration would need to deploy heavy police forces, increasing the risk of physical confrontations.
- Community Sentiments: Denying permission may escalate grievances within the terrorist’s community, possibly fuelling mistrust towards the authorities and the justice system. However, it is crucial to communicate the reasons for denial clearly to avoid misunderstandings.
Social Perspective:
- Polarization: Any decision that appears to favor one community over another can deepen social divisions. The objective should be to maintain communal harmony while ensuring that no group feels marginalized or ignored.
- Religious Sensitivities: While religious sentiments are important, such processions or prayers should not be allowed to disrupt public life or create communal polarization, especially in a sensitive district.
Ethical Perspective:
- Justice and Fairness: Amit must ensure that his decision upholds the principles of fairness, justice, and public safety. Both communities have valid emotions, but public safety should take precedence.
Decision Amit Should Take:
Deny Permission for Procession and Street Prayers: Considering the communal sensitivities, Amit should deny permission for both the procession and street prayers. Public order is a primary concern, and allowing these activities could lead to violence.
Engage in Dialogue with Community Leaders: To mitigate negative sentiments, Amit should engage with the community leaders and explain the reasoning behind the decision. He should emphasize that the decision is based on public safety and maintaining communal harmony, not religious discrimination.
Offer Alternatives: Amit can suggest alternative arrangements, such as holding the funeral prayers in a mosque or at the burial site, as is the norm. He should assure the community of police support for a peaceful and dignified burial.
Preventive Measures: Amit should also deploy intelligence and police forces to monitor the situation closely. Preventive arrests of potential troublemakers, Section 144, and maintaining a visible police presence can help deter any untoward incidents.
In conclusion, Amit should prioritize public order while showing sensitivity towards community sentiments through dialogue and alternative solutions.
Q4: You have been working as a district magistrate in a metropolitan city. It’s the month of June which often sees the development of dust storms in the city leading to very strong winds, poor visibility and dust particulate in air. These storms have the tendency to create many problems and chaos among the citizens through disruption of electricity supply and traffic jams. The city is highly populated with huge electricity demand and pressure on civic amenities.
(a) What steps you must take in order to mitigate the problems created by these dust storms?
(b) What shall be your action plan in case of any such emergency? (250 words, 20 marks)
Ans: As a District Magistrate in a metropolitan city prone to dust storms, the priority is to ensure public safety, mitigate disruptions, and manage civic services efficiently. To address these challenges, a well-coordinated approach is essential.
(a) Steps to Mitigate Problems Created by Dust Storms:
Preemptive Warnings and Awareness Campaigns:
- Utilize the local meteorological department to provide early warnings of impending dust storms.
- Launch public awareness campaigns through social media, TV, radio, and SMS alerts to inform citizens about precautions, such as avoiding outdoor activities and securing property.
Strengthening Infrastructure:
- Coordinate with the electricity department to maintain power infrastructure, ensure protective covers on wires, and cut down overhanging branches or unstable structures that could lead to power cuts.
- Ensure civic agencies maintain proper drainage systems to prevent debris buildup that might block roads or exacerbate post-storm traffic issues.
Coordination with Traffic Police:
- Work closely with traffic police to preemptively deploy personnel at vulnerable intersections.
- Install dust-proof signal systems and ensure visibility enhancements, like reflective signs and street lighting, in case of poor visibility.
Health and Safety Measures:
- Distribute face masks and goggles, especially in high-risk areas. Mobilize medical units to deal with respiratory issues triggered by dust exposure.
- Ensure hospitals and emergency health services are ready to handle any spike in cases related to dust exposure, such as asthma or other respiratory illnesses.
(b) Action Plan in Case of Emergency:
Activate Emergency Response:
- Form an emergency response team with relevant departments (police, electricity, public health, fire services, etc.) for real-time coordination.
- Set up a control room to monitor the situation, receive citizen complaints, and coordinate relief actions.
Restoration of Essential Services:
- Collaborate with power utilities to restore electricity in affected areas promptly, using backup generators for critical infrastructure like hospitals.
- Ensure swift clearing of roads by coordinating with municipal authorities for debris removal and mobilizing traffic personnel to manage jams.
Evacuation and Shelter:
- In case of severe dust storms, activate plans for temporary shelters in safe locations, especially for vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and those living in fragile housing.
- Equip these shelters with necessary supplies like water, food, and medical aid.
Communication and Updates:
- Regularly update the public through media about the storm’s progress, safety measures, and ongoing mitigation efforts.
- Ensure emergency helplines are fully functional and adequately staffed.
Post-Emergency Review:
- After the storm subsides, review the emergency response to identify gaps and areas for improvement. Collect feedback from citizens and agencies to enhance future preparedness.
By taking preventive measures and establishing a well-coordinated emergency response plan, the adverse impacts of dust storms can be significantly mitigated, ensuring public safety and the smooth functioning of essential services.
Q5: Mass cheating in examinations is not a recent phenomenon in India, In fact in recent times it has become organized. Recently Indian and foreign media featured prominently parents and relatives scaling school walls and buildings, to pass answer chits to students taking secondary school examinations in Bihar. It has dented India’s Image at global forum. With the advent of technology it has become more sophisticated. These rackets are run by Doctors, teachers, engineers, exam invigilators. In fact movies like Lage Rahe Munna Bhai had brought such issues into public notice still a stringent law to tackle the menace are a distant dream. Write your stand on the same and also suggest measures to tackle the menace. (250 words, 20 marks)
Ans: Mass cheating in examinations is a deeply troubling issue in India, reflecting systemic flaws in the education system. The phenomenon has evolved into organized crime, undermining the meritocratic foundation of education, eroding public trust, and tarnishing India's global image. The episode of parents climbing school walls in Bihar to pass answer chits highlights the gravity of the issue, and the involvement of professionals such as doctors, engineers, and teachers in such rackets further aggravates the situation.
My Stand:
Cheating in examinations represents a moral and ethical failure at multiple levels. It devalues hard-earned qualifications, promotes a culture of shortcuts, and contributes to the production of unqualified professionals in critical sectors like healthcare and engineering, posing risks to society. The fact that cheating is often accepted as a 'norm' in some parts of the country reflects a crisis of values. This menace is also a manifestation of the excessive pressure placed on students to succeed in a rigid and competitive examination system, where marks often take precedence over learning.
Measures to Tackle the Menace:
Stringent Legislation and Punishment:
- Enact strict anti-cheating laws with severe penalties for offenders, including those who facilitate the cheating. This would cover students, invigilators, teachers, and organized rackets.
- Punishments should include disqualification from exams, fines, and criminal charges for organized cheating rings.
Use of Technology:
- Deploy AI-based proctoring systems, CCTV surveillance, and jammers in exam halls to prevent high-tech cheating.
- Introduce biometric verification for student identification and restrict access to communication devices during examinations.
Reform of Examination System:
- Move towards continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE) to reduce the weight of high-stakes exams and promote holistic learning.
- Adopt open-book exams and emphasize problem-solving skills over rote memorization, reducing the incentive to cheat.
Improve Teacher Accountability:
- Strengthen teacher training and enforce accountability, ensuring they act as custodians of integrity rather than facilitators of cheating.
- Reward ethical behavior and integrity in educational institutions, while penalizing corrupt practices.
Community and Parental Engagement:
- Run awareness campaigns to change societal attitudes towards cheating. Parents must understand that cheating is not a harmless act but a breach of integrity that can destroy future prospects.
- Encourage a merit-based approach that values learning over mere success in exams.
Counseling and Support for Students:
- Provide mental health support and career counseling to reduce the pressure on students, helping them understand that failure in exams is not the end of the road.
In conclusion, mass cheating is a reflection of deep-rooted flaws in the education system, societal attitudes, and governance. A multi-pronged approach involving legal reforms, technological interventions, education system revamps, and community engagement is necessary to tackle this menace effectively and restore the integrity of India’s education system.
Q6: One of the many unintended consequences of the growth of internet and information technology is the increasing exposure of people towards pornography and adultery. This is causing serious problems in many contexts. Analyze this problem in detail and indicate not only the socio-economic but also the emotional and cultural factors responsible for this problem? Also, distinctly bring out—
(a) Why this tendency of watching pornography and cheating your spouse is increasing?
(b) What effects does it have on people across different age groups?
(c) What should be the role of government in this regard?
What feasible steps can you suggest which will be effective in controlling this menace among juveniles? (250 words, 20 marks)
Ans: The proliferation of internet and information technology has made access to pornography and platforms for extramarital affairs increasingly easy. This accessibility has led to a range of socio-economic, emotional, and cultural issues.
Analysis of the Problem:
Socio-Economic Factors:
- Economic Disparities: Economic stress can lead to increased reliance on online escapism, including pornography. Lower income or unstable jobs may drive individuals towards seeking emotional solace or excitement online.
- Accessibility and Affordability: With the widespread availability of inexpensive internet access, high-speed connections, and smartphones, accessing explicit content has become virtually free and anonymous.
Emotional Factors:
- Stress and Loneliness: High levels of stress, loneliness, and dissatisfaction in personal relationships can lead individuals to seek solace or excitement through pornography or adulterous relationships.
- Escapism: For many, engaging in these activities provides an escape from mundane or unsatisfactory aspects of daily life.
Cultural Factors:
- Normalization of Sexual Content: The increasing normalization of sexual content in media and entertainment has desensitized individuals and blurred boundaries around acceptable behavior.
- Changing Attitudes Toward Marriage and Fidelity: Evolving societal norms about relationships and fidelity can diminish the perceived seriousness of committing to monogamous relationships.
(a) Increasing Tendency:
- Ease of Access: The internet has made pornography and platforms for extramarital affairs more accessible than ever before.
- Anonymity: The anonymous nature of the internet allows individuals to engage in these activities without fear of immediate social repercussions.
- Lack of Regulation: Inadequate regulation of online content and privacy norms contribute to the rise in access to explicit material and platforms facilitating infidelity.
(b) Effects on Different Age Groups:
- Juveniles and Adolescents: Exposure to pornography at a young age can lead to distorted perceptions of sexuality and relationships, potentially impacting their development and expectations.
- Adults: For adults, such exposure can lead to dissatisfaction in personal relationships, addiction, and infidelity, which can undermine marital stability and affect mental health.
- Elderly: While less common, older individuals may experience similar issues related to seeking excitement or emotional fulfillment online.
(c) Role of Government and Feasible Steps:
Legislation and Regulation:
- Strengthen Content Regulations: Enforce stricter regulations on the availability and distribution of explicit content. Implement age verification systems to restrict access to pornography.
- Cybercrime Laws: Strengthen laws against cyber harassment and illicit activities, ensuring stringent penalties for those engaging in or facilitating such content.
Education and Awareness:
- Digital Literacy Programs: Implement educational programs in schools to teach digital literacy, including the risks and consequences of pornography and infidelity.
- Parental Guidance: Provide resources and training for parents on monitoring and guiding their children’s internet use effectively.
Support and Counseling:
- Counseling Services: Increase availability of counseling and support services for individuals struggling with pornography addiction or relationship issues.
- Public Campaigns: Launch awareness campaigns highlighting the risks and ethical considerations of consuming explicit content and engaging in infidelity.
Technological Solutions:
- Content Filtering: Promote and support the use of internet filters and parental control software to block access to inappropriate content.
- Monitoring Tools: Develop and deploy tools that help monitor and manage online behavior, especially for younger users.
In conclusion, the rise of pornography and infidelity facilitated by the internet involves complex socio-economic, emotional, and cultural factors. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach, including stronger regulations, educational initiatives, and support systems to mitigate the adverse effects on individuals and society.
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