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Case Study An elevated corridor is being constructed to reduce traffic congestion in the capital of a particular State. You have been selected as project manager of this prestigious project on your professional competence and experience. The deadline is to complete the project in next two years by 30 June, 2021, since this project is to be inaugurated by the Chief Minister before the elections are announced in the second week of July 2021. While carrying out the surprise inspection by inspecting team, a minor crack was noticed in one of the piers of the elevated corridor possibly due to poor material used. You immediately informed the chief engineer and stopped further work. It was assessed by you that minimum three piers of the elevated corridor have to be demolished and reconstructed. But this process will delay the project minimum by four to six months. But the chief engineer overruled the observation of inspecting team on the ground that it was a minor crack which will not in any way impact the strength and durability of the bridge. He ordered you to overlook the observation of inspecting team and continue working with same speed and tempo. He informed you that the minister does not want any delay as he wants the Chief Minister to inaugurate the elevated corridor before the elections are declared. Also informed you that the contractor is far relative of the minister and he wants him to finish the project. He also gave you hint that your further promotion as additional chief engineer is under consideration with the ministry. However, you strongly felt that the minor crack in the pier of the elevated corridor will adversely affect the health and life of the bridge and therefore it will be very dangerous not to repair the elevated corridor. (a) Under the given conditions, what are the options available to you as a project manager? (b) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by the project manager? (c) What are the professional challenges likely to be faced by the project manager and his response to overcome such challenges? (d) What can be the consequences of overlooking the observation raised by the inspecting team?
Case Study Ms. Kavya Iyer is serving as the District Magistrate of a rapidly urbanising district. Recently, a video clip went viral on social media allegedly showing police personnel using excessive force against a group of migrant workers protesting delayed wages at a construction site. Within hours, the issue gained national attention. Several media channels began running prime-time debates accusing the district administration of human rights violations. Hashtags demanding suspension of officials started trending online. Civil society groups organised protests, demanding immediate action. However, a preliminary internal report suggests that the video clip is selectively edited and does not capture the full sequence of events. According to field officers, the situation had turned violent, and minimal force was used to control the mob and prevent damage to public property. Meanwhile, political leaders from opposition parties visit the site and publicly criticise the administration, demanding immediate suspension of the police officers involved. On the other hand, police officials feel demoralised and argue that any punitive action without a fair inquiry will undermine morale and embolden lawbreakers. The State Government informally advises Ms. Iyer to take “quick visible action” to control the narrative and prevent escalation, even if the facts are not fully verified. At the same time, there are genuine concerns about delayed wage payments to migrant workers, which triggered the protest in the first place. Ms. Iyer must decide how to respond to the situation, balancing truth, justice, public perception, and administrative responsibility. Questions 1. What are the ethical issues involved in this case? 2. What options are available to Ms. Iyer? Evaluate the merits and demerits of each. 3. What should be the most appropriate course of action for Ms. Iyer? Justify your answer in terms of ethical values, administrative neutrality, and public trust.