Case Study Suppose you are newly appointed as a District Collector, and a businessman approaches you to seek permission regarding building a mall in your city with a modernised ambience that once built will be a glorious addition to the City. However, the projected land for the mall is surrounded by slums, and therefore must be cleared before construction can begin. The subordinate informed you that the slums were built illegally and have been breeding grounds for drug dealers and phone snatchers. In addition, the businessman proposes that if you approve the tender, he will facilitate the purchase of a large plot of land in a renowned area of the city in the name of your wife/husband. Critically examine various conflicts of interest and explain your course of action as a public servant.

Case Studies Q. You are posted as the General Manager of a large public sector manufacturing unit. Recently, tensions have escalated between the management and the workers’ union. The union has raised demands regarding increased wages, better safety standards, and permanent absorption of contractual workers. While some of their demands are legitimate and align with labour welfare norms, others may have a severe impact on the company's financial health. Moreover, you discover that a few influential union leaders are instigating workers to go on an indefinite strike, even though negotiations are still ongoing. Meanwhile, a group of junior employees approaches you confidentially, expressing concern that the aggressive approach of the union may harm their career prospects and lead to a prolonged factory shutdown. At the same time, pressure mounts from the Ministry to avoid disruptions and meet production targets crucial for national supply chains. In the midst of this, a senior union leader offers to de-escalate the situation in exchange for personal favors, such as awarding contracts to firms linked to him and ensuring his relatives receive preferential treatment in job promotions. You are expected to submit a report to the Ministry suggesting a path forward that ensures industrial peace, protects workers’ rights, and prevents unethical compromises. A. Identify and discuss the ethical issues involved in this case. B. How would you balance worker welfare with organizational sustainability and public interest? C. How should you respond to the offer made by the union leader? What mechanisms should be used to ensure transparency and accountability? D. What ethical values and principles of public administration should guide your conduct?

Several villages in Jharkhand have resorted to Pathalgarhi – a tribal tradition of erecting stone slabs to demarcate the area of their villages’ jurisdiction, declaring their autonomy and self-rule in the areas under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution. In these localities, no outsider including the government servants is allowed. From various sources, it has come to be known that tribals are not happy with the state and central government as they feel ignored, marginalized and have been experiencing the plunder of their resources on which traditionally they enjoyed control. They hold new laws and developmental activities responsible for their plight. Suppose you are a DM in one such affected district where this movement is going on, what strategies will you adopt to tackle the issues on short term as well as long term basis. Give justification for your strategies.

Case Study In Chandrapur, the local administration faced a dilemma as the Shivaji Stadium, a beloved but deteriorating venue for local sports, neared collapse. Concurrently, the town's economy was suffering from the closure of coal mines, leading to rising unemployment and the problem of migration. Serendipitously, two proposals landed on the District Collector's desk. A company offered to build a shopping complex on the stadium land, promising jobs for thousands, while Sports Authority of India proposed transforming the stadium into a multi-sport training academy to preserve local sports culture and potentially gain national recognition. Both proposals required the entire stadium land, sparking heated debates at town hall meetings. Former athletes, unemployed miners, and young sports enthusiasts weighed in, torn between economic stability and preserving their sporting heritage. As the District Collector, you have to navigate this situation. 1. What are the stakeholders involved in the decision-making process for the future of Shivaji Stadium? 2. Discuss the potential socio-economic impacts of both decisions (tech park and sports complex) on Chandrapur. 3. What strategies can the District Collector employ to ensure sustainable long-term development and prosperity for Chandrapur?

Case Study You are the founder of a social enterprise that provides solar lamps to rural villages that lack access to electricity. You have been working hard to scale up your impact and reach more communities in need. One day, you receive an email from the CEO of a major oil company who is interested in partnering with you. He says that he wants to support your cause and help you expand your operations. He also mentions that he has to meet Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards for his company. However, over the years working with renewable energy, you have developed a strong aversion to fossil fuel companies. Now, the CEO’s offer has put you in a moral dilemma. On one hand, you resent the idea of accepting help from a company that is contributing to climate change and environmental degradation, and on the other hand, you feel that the company’s assistance is a golden opportunity for your social enterprise to provide more light to the dark. A. What are the various ethical issues involved here? B. Will it be morally right for you to accept money from the oil company?