Mentor’s Comment:

In Ethics, Case Study is an important part and practicing more and more case studies will sharpen the ideas and knowledge about Ethics more. This section approaches the practical aspects of aspirants and determines their level of creative thinking ability and behaviour based on the existing practical norms.

Further use of various ethical terminologies will help in revising the concept of its theoretical part as well which helps in broadening the knowledge base in practical terms.

The above case study has been taken from news highlighting the issue of education system influenced by criminals in a village of Uttar Pradesh.

This certainly tests Compassion towards downtrodden, honesty, human rights and integrity among aspirants.

Talk about the importance of welfare services, the need and as a DM what actions are there which are practical in terms of violation of rule. Subsequently bring merits and demerits associated with each actions.

One should bring beautiful conclusion based on the action taken and their merits and demerits.

Model Answer:

Welfare services provided to the citizens under different government schemes are based on the principle of equality. Hence discrimination among the people on the basis of caste and religion is unconstitutional.

In the above case the ASHAs and teachers are not allowed to let them work for the welfare of the vulnerable.

The DM can take following actions:

a) He should instruct the police in-charge of the area to take actions against the goons on the charge of hampering the basic government functioning. Persons should be arrested by the police.

Merits: This will create deterrence among the people and will help in building trust with the citizens. Punishing arbitrary and illegal actions will be in good faith development with the masses and will help the downtrodden in positive manner.

Demerits: They may or may not be controlled or there may be some upper hand on them due to which they will be set free. This will encourage them more in hampering the daily business further.

b) He should conduct the meeting with the respective MLA, MP and Gram Pradhan of the region to brief about the issue and instruct gram pradhan to take strict actions against the local upper caste community members who are involved in the case.

Merits: Action by the local guardian will influence most in controlling such practices. This will be a great way to deal with the situation. In the process of meeting, if there will be any sort of demand by the local upper caste people, which will be taken care of by the DM.

Demerits: If respective MLA, MP and Gram Pradhan of the region do not get influenced then the matter may become worst. The illegal activities may increase more. If local guardians are involved and are patronizing the things, it will bring even worst situation.

c) He may initiate a regular social audit of the respective schemes to bring accountability and transparency in the system.

Merits: Regular social audit is a good thing. This will involve masses for which the schemes meant to be and will also make them aware about. This will improve the functioning the curb illegal practices involved. It will bring feel of ownership among the public.

Demerits: However, it may involve some extra cost, Chances of fraud cannot be avoided.

d) The community participation is must for the successful implementation of any scheme, thus sensitization of people about the benefits of the scheme and consequences of hampering its smooth functioning should be messaged clearly among the people.

Merits: This will bring awareness among the general public. The beneficiaries will think that this is their right and may organize groups and recent with the person coming on their way of getting these rights.

Demerits: This may raise more radical groups and in the name of confronting, the communal violence may erupt.

The DM should take the measures in systemic way. First, by highlighting the issue with utmost sensitivities and ordering the police to take strict action against the radical groups or the person obstructing the government functioning by arresting them and punishing them. Bringing law and order on track is the first priority in order to tackle with any menace.

Social awareness, social audit should be brought in place in order to bring transparency and accountability and make people aware about it. Taking strict action with the person involved in illegal activities will be beneficial. Local leaders should be involved to influence the masses by highlighting the issue in media so that they will act in fair manner.