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10 marks · 150 words
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More on GS4 · Case Studies
Case Study You are the head of a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that offers palliative care to cancer patients from the poor sections of the society. Since the last few months funding for your noble cause is dwindling due to which you are not able to fulfill the needs of the dependent people. One day, you are contacted by the owner of a big tobacco company who is willing to fund your NGO because he has to meet Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) targets. However, over the years working with cancer patients you have developed a deep hatred for tobacco companies. Now, the owner’s offer has put you in a moral dilemma. On the one side, you detest the thought of accepting support from a company that is doling out cancer through its products, and on the other hand, you feel that the company's aid is a godsend opportunity for your NGO to provide better care to patients. (a) What are the various ethical issues involved here? (b) Will it be morally right for you to accept money from the tobacco company?
You are an IPS officer posted in an area where communal tensions are very much prevalent. One day, a religious procession is being carried out by one community. As they reach the area dominated by another community, sudden firing starts, resulting in several people in the procession getting injured and taken hostage. When you send the police force to control the situation, the force also gets pushed back by the aggressors. Among the hostages, there are individuals who are severely injured and require urgent medical treatment. A. What are the ethical dilemmas that you face in this situation? B. What are the possible courses of action that you can take to resolve the crisis? C. How will you justify your chosen course of action in terms of ethical principles and values?
Case Study In a horrific incident which sparked outrage in your district, a 17-year-old girl, on her way to school with her younger sister, was attacked with an acid-like substance by two men on a motorcycle near her home. She sustained severe injuries on her face, neck and eyes, currently she is being treated at the Hospital. She comes from a very humble family and her family looked up to her for alleviating them from poverty. Further, the incident has once again brought back to focus the heinous crime of acid attacks and the easy availability of corrosive substances, therefore, people are anguished and have started protesting and demanding the death penalty for the culprits. As a district magistrate, what would you do to resolve the situation? What steps would you take to stop easy availability of hazardous substances?
Case Study Suresh is a District Magistrate in a socio-economically backward region where brick kilns, stone quarries, and small manufacturing units provide employment to a large number of unskilled and migrant workers. Many of these workers belong to marginalized communities and are heavily indebted to contractors due to advances taken for medical expenses, marriages, or survival needs. Recently, a group of social activists submitted a complaint to Suresh’s office alleging the prevalence of bonded labour practices in several work sites. Workers are reportedly forced to work long hours at extremely low wages, are not allowed to leave until their debts are repaid, and face threats and physical intimidation if they attempt to escape. Identity documents are often confiscated by contractors, and children are also made to assist their parents at work sites. The contractors deny the allegations, claiming that workers are employed voluntarily and that advance payments are a common practice. Some local political leaders and influential business owners, who have economic stakes in these units, have informally advised Suresh to “handle the matter sensitively” to avoid social unrest and disruption of local economic activity. Media attention is increasing after the rescue of a bonded labourer revealed inhuman living conditions and custodial violence at one of the sites. Questions Q1. Identify the ethical issues involved in the case from the perspectives of bonded labourers, employers, and public authorities. Q2. What options are available to Suresh in dealing with this situation? Critically evaluate each option. Q3. As the District Magistrate, what course of action should Suresh adopt to uphold constitutional values, human rights, and ethical governance? Justify your answer.
Case Study You are an experienced civil servant working in a government department responsible for infrastructure development. Your department has recently received a proposal from a well-known construction company to build a major highway that would greatly improve connectivity in a remote region. However, you have discovered through reliable sources that the company has a history of engaging in corrupt practices and bribing government officials to secure contracts. Furthermore, there are concerns about the environmental impact of the proposed highway, as it would pass through ecologically sensitive areas. As a public servant, you are faced with an ethical dilemma regarding whether to support or oppose the project. Discuss the ethical issues involved in this case and outline the possible courses of action you could take. Evaluate each course of action in terms of its ethical implications and the impact on public administration.
Case Study As the District Magistrate of a city with a sizable transgender population, you are confronted with a growing number of public complaints about aggressive begging by some members of the transgender community at busy traffic intersections. Commuters report feeling harassed or coerced into giving money, and traffic police raise concerns about disruptions and safety hazards at junctions. Upon investigation, you find that many transgender individuals have limited access to education or employment due to deep-rooted social stigma and exclusion. Several transgender advocacy groups acknowledge the complaints but assert that, for many in the community, begging remains the only viable source of livelihood given the persistent discrimination they face in mainstream employment sectors. You are under pressure to act swiftly to restore public order and ensure road safety, but you are also mindful of the need to uphold dignity, rights, and social justice for a historically marginalized community. Questions: (a) What are the key ethical dilemmas involved in balancing public order with the rights and dignity of transgenders? How do prevailing societal attitudes shape these dilemmas? (b) What policy interventions could you consider to address both the immediate concerns and the long-term welfare of the transgender community?