Case Study You work in a government office, and due to your expertise and trustworthiness, you have been selected to serve on election duty. Your role involves ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process by overseeing the polling station operations, maintaining the voting machines, and monitoring the conduct of election officials. During the election, you observe a fellow election official who happens to be your good friend engaging in misconduct. The official is manipulating the voting process by favouring a particular political party, allowing unauthorized individuals to vote multiple times, and suppressing votes from certain demographics. You are aware that the actions of this official compromise the integrity of the election and violate the principles of fairness and impartiality. How do you balance your duty to the election process with potential personal consequences?

Case Study Arvind Mehta, a senior public servant, currently heads the Budget Division in the Ministry of Finance. His division is presently involved in allocating budgetary support to various states, four of which are scheduled to hold assembly elections within the current financial year. As per the latest Union Budget, more than Rs 8,300 crore was allocated to the National Housing Scheme (NHS), a key centrally sponsored welfare programme aimed at providing affordable housing to weaker sections. By June, Rs 775 crore had already been disbursed under the scheme. Parallelly, the Ministry of Commerce had been pursuing the establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in a southern state to promote exports. After nearly two years of consultation between the Centre and the state, the Union Cabinet gave its approval in August, and the process for acquiring land has since begun. In another development, a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) had proposed a natural gas processing plant in a northern state to support the regional gas grid, an essential element of the country's energy security strategy. The land for the project is already available, and after three rounds of global bidding, the contract was awarded to M/s XYZ Hydrocarbons, a multinational company. The first tranche of payment is scheduled for December. To meet the funding requirements of these two major development projects, an additional Rs 6,000 crore is required. It has been proposed that this amount be re-appropriated from the NHS budget. The file seeking approval for this re-allocation was sent to the Budget Division for examination and processing. On reviewing the file, Arvind Mehta became concerned. He realised that diverting funds from the NHS could delay its implementation, a scheme widely promoted by senior political figures and closely linked to electoral commitments. On the other hand, delaying fund allocation to the SEZ and the gas plant could lead to significant financial losses and reputational damage at both national and international levels. Upon raising the issue with his superiors, Arvind was advised that the matter is politically sensitive and must be expedited without delay. Question: a) Identify the ethical issues involved in reallocating funds from a welfare programme to development projects. b) In light of the responsibility to ensure prudent use of public resources, what options are available to Arvind Mehta? Would resigning from his post be a reasonable or ethical course of action?

Case Study Dr. Neha Kapoor, a medical professional turned District Magistrate, is posted in a semi-urban district that has recently witnessed a sudden outbreak of a highly infectious respiratory disease. Within days, government hospitals are overwhelmed with patients, ICU beds are scarce, and there is an acute shortage of oxygen cylinders and life-saving medicines. The district administration receives an emergency consignment of oxygen and critical drugs from the State government. However, the supply is far below the actual demand. Doctors on the ground inform Dr. Kapoor that they are being forced to make difficult choices about which patients should receive treatment, often prioritising those with higher chances of survival. Meanwhile, influential individuals, including local politicians and wealthy citizens, begin pressuring the administration to reserve beds and oxygen supplies for their families and associates. Some private hospitals are also accused of hoarding essential medicines and overcharging patients. On the other hand, frontline healthcare workers are exhausted and demoralised. They demand clear guidelines for triage and protection from legal or political backlash arising from life-and-death decisions. Media coverage intensifies, highlighting both the suffering of patients and alleged administrative lapses. Public anger is rising, and there is a growing perception that access to healthcare is becoming inequitable. Dr. Kapoor must take urgent decisions regarding allocation of scarce medical resources, regulation of private healthcare providers, and protection of frontline workers—while ensuring fairness, transparency, and public trust. Questions 1. What are the ethical issues involved in this case? 2. What options are available to Dr. Kapoor? Evaluate the merits and demerits of each. 3. What should be the most ethical course of action for Dr. Kapoor? Justify your answer in the context of public health ethics and administrative responsibility.

Case Study Vikram is an urban planner in a fast-growing metropolitan city. His department has been tasked with overseeing the redevelopment of an old industrial area into a modern residential neighborhood. The project promises to rejuvenate a dilapidated part of the city and provide affordable housing for hundreds of families. However, the area in question is also home to a vibrant but lower-income community that has lived there for decades. While the local government has promised that the redevelopment will bring economic opportunities and better living standards, Vikram has begun to uncover troubling details. Many of the residents have been living there for years and have a strong social and cultural attachment to the area. They also run small businesses that are crucial for their livelihoods. The redevelopment plan includes tearing down their homes and businesses, displacing them, and relocating them to a different part of the city, far from their current community and support systems. Moreover, there is a lack of detailed information on how the government will ensure affordable housing for the displaced families or whether they will be properly compensated. Vikram is also aware that there are significant financial interests behind the project. Several influential real estate developers stand to gain immensely from the redevelopment, and their lobbying efforts have heavily influenced the planning process. Vikram, who was initially excited about the project’s potential to revitalize the city, now feels conflicted. On one hand, the redevelopment could bring economic growth, but on the other hand, it may cause social harm to the marginalized community that lives there. As the project progresses, Vikram is put under pressure by his superiors to approve the project without further scrutiny, as delays could risk funding and affect the city’s overall development plan. He is aware that his career could suffer if he raises objections or calls for a review of the plan. At the same time, he is troubled by the ethical implications of displacing vulnerable communities for the sake of economic development and real estate profit. Questions: 1. What are the key ethical dilemmas involved in this situation? 2. How should Vikram handle the apparent conflict of interest in this situation, with powerful developers pushing for the project and the displacement of a marginalized community? 3. Can economic growth justify the displacement of a community? What ethical principles should guide policymakers when planning such development projects.

You are District Magistrate of a flood-prone district. The flood control department has allocated forty crore rupees for building embankments in the low lying area of the river bed. There have been various complaints from locals over the delay in project completion, violations of rules and misuse of funds by the nexus of politicians and contractors. During monsoon, the embankment construction couldn’t withstand a single season of flooding. This has led to the submergence of many villages in floodwater and thousands of people are trapped in the villages. The villages are completely cut off and there is a scarcity of food and drinking water. Due to water stagnation, there is also a risk of epidemic spread in the region. There is huge discontent and protest over the allegation of corruption against the local politician. As he is a popular face of ruling political party in the state, there is severe pressure from political heads to cover the corruption issue. Defying the orders of political bosses will bring wrath towards you and may also lead to transfer. 1. As a District Magistrate what will be your course of action to manage the situation in the district. (200 words) 2. Identify the various dimensions of the crisis involved in the issue. Based on your understanding, suggest measures to deal with the crisis.