Case Study: As the Sarpanch of a village Panchayat, you oversee a government-run primary school that provides midday meals to its students. Recently, a new cook was appointed as per government norms, following due process and eligibility criteria. However, it emerges that the cook belongs to a Scheduled Caste community. A section of parents, influenced by caste prejudices, begins to prevent their children from consuming the meals. As a result, school attendance drops, raising concerns about the continuity of the midday meal scheme, teacher retention, and even the functioning of the school itself. This situation threatens not just the education of children but also social harmony, inclusion, and the credibility of public welfare programs. Questions: 1. What are the ethical dilemmas faced by Sarpanch? 2. What steps can the Sarpanch take to resolve the caste-based conflict and restore school attendance? 3. How can different stakeholders support inclusive practices in public services?

Case Study You are the Sarpanch of a Panchayat. There is a primary school run by the government in your area. Midday meals are provided to the children attending the school. The Headmaster has now appointed a new cook in the school to prepare the meals. However, when it is found that the cook is from Dalit community, almost half of the children belonging to higher castes are not allowed to take meals by their parents. Consequently the attendance in the school falls sharply. This could result in the possibility of discontinuation of midday meal scheme, thereafter of teaching staff and subsequent closing down the school. (a) Mention ethical issues of the case and also discuss some feasible strategies to overcome the conflict and to create the right ambience. (b) What should be the responsibilities of different social segments and agencies to create positive social ambience for accepting such changes?

Case Study Your friend Ritwik hails from a village whose surrounding areas were submerged due to floods during the monsoon last year. Government assisted the affected people by giving them cash doles to purchase household goods, seeds to replant crop and cash to compensate for loss of standing crop. Ritwik had his house site on high ground and suffered no loss of personal effects. Luckily, his agricultural land being relatively far away from the flooded river escaped the ravages of the flood. Normally, government machinery is unable to thoroughly assess the damage suffered by each individual family. As a result, people take advantage by making extravagant and often fictitious claims. Ritwik has made false claims like others in the village. As a close friend of Ritwik, what do you think about his action? Is it a right thing to do? what would be your appropriate response to Ritwik’s conduct?

Case Study You are the Mayor of a town/city that has recently seen a rise in cases of dog bites. The local community is concerned about the safety of their children and pets, and they have started to demand action from the authorities. As the Mayor, you are responsible for addressing this issue and ensuring the safety of the community. Upon investigating the issue, you have discovered that many of the dogs in the area are strays, and some are owned by people who do not take proper care of them. You also found that the local dog population has grown significantly in recent years, and there is no effective system in place to monitor or control it. What would you do in this situation?

Case Study A textile dyeing unit was set up seven years ago near a growing semi-urban area, approved by the state government to boost local employment and industrial growth. While it provided jobs to thousands and contributed to the local economy, the unit discharged untreated effluents into a nearby river, leading to severe water pollution. This has caused skin and respiratory diseases among residents, contaminated the groundwater, and damaged agricultural productivity in surrounding villages. Despite repeated complaints, no action was taken until the situation worsened, triggering widespread protests by farmers, environmental groups, and affected citizens. The protests have disrupted public order, forcing the government to consider shutting down the unit. However, closing the factory would result in mass unemployment for workers and affect businesses dependent on the dyes it produces. Additionally, ancillary industries and transporters linked to the unit would also face economic losses. As the District Magistrate, you are tasked with resolving the crisis and ensuring sustainable solutions to protect public health, restore environmental safety, and address economic concerns. Questions: 1. What are the stakeholders involved in this situation? 2. What are the ethical, social, and administrative challenges involved in this situation? 3. Suggest immediate and long-term measures to resolve the crisis while balancing the needs of the environment, public health, and the economy.