October 2023 part 5

Case Study I

Suppose you are the CEO of a company that manufactures specialized electronic equipment used by a government department. You have submitted your bid for the supply of this equipment to the department. Both the quality and cost of your offer are better than those of the competitors. Yet the concerned officer is demanding a hefty bribe for approving the tender. Getting the order is important both for you and for your company. Not getting the order would mean closing a production line. It may also affect your own career. However, as a value-conscious person, you do not want to give bribe.

Valid arguments can be advanced both for giving the bribe and getting the order, and for refusing to pay the bribe and risking the loss of the order.

What those arguments could be? Could there be any better way to get out of this dilemma? If so outline the main elements of this third way, pointing out its merits.

Key Points

Giving the bribe and getting the order

·         CEO - priority business interest

·         Specialized equipment =>big loss; employees also suffer

·         Officer has discretionary power; process is opaque

·         Other person may take this opportunity by giving bribe

Refuse to pay bribe and risking the loss of the order

·         Taking the bribe and giving legally wrong

·         Hefty bribe…ultimate burden will be on the people

·         Value conscious person..crisis of conscience

·         Three things….If this exposed in future company may be blacklisted..

·         Means is as imp as end…there is no shortcut to success

·         Greater power comes with greater responsibility

Course of action

·         Imp to voice of the conscience; show moral courage

·         It may take some time…good in the long term

·         Bring positive change in the society…not so easy..ready to face adverse consequences

·         Giving the bribe encourage the corruption..not to be a part of ..break this..

 

Case Study 2

There is a disaster-prone State having frequent landslides, forest fires, cloudbursts, flash floods and earthquakes, etc. Some of these are seasonal and often unpredictable. The magnitude of the disaster is always unanticipated. During one of the seasons, a cloudburst caused devastating floods and landslides leading to high casualties. There was major damage to infrastructure like roads, bridges and power generating units. This led to more than 100000 pilgrims, tourists and other locals trapped across different routes and locations.

The people trapped in your area of responsibility included senior citizens, patients in hospitals, women and children, hikers, tourists, ruling party’s regional president along with his family, additional chief secretary of the neighboring State and prisoners in jail.

As a civil services officer of the State, what would be the order in which you would rescue these people and why? Give justifications.

Introduction

·         As a civil services officer, my primary responsibility is to save as many lives as possible in a disaster situation. The order in which I would rescue the people is as follows:

Conclusion

·         These priorities are based on the urgency of the situation, vulnerability of the individuals, and availability of resources. However, the situation may change dynamically, and the priorities may need to be revised accordingly. As a civil services officer, it is my duty to ensure that the rescue operations are conducted efficiently and effectively to save as many lives as possible.

Case Study 3

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)      Discuss some feasible strategies to overcome the conflict and to create right ambience.

b)      What should be the responsibilities of different social segments and agencies to create positive social ambience for accepting such changes? (250 words) 20

Feasible strategies

·         Be the change you wish to see in the others

·         Panchayat funds – tasty and healthy food to attract students

·         Awareness about law and importance of equality

·         Explain the process of selection procedure of the cook

·         Take the help of local and religious leaders

·         Inter -community activities

Social segments

·         Role of family, educational institutions, Gram Sabha, media, NGOs, law enforcement agencies

·         Civil servants – Rahul Kumar, PB Salim

·         Law enforcement agencies - strict implementation

·         NGOs – Awareness campaigns

·         Religious leaders – Interpretation of scriptures

 

Case Study 4

You are heading the rescue operations in an area affected by severe natural calamity. Thousands of people are rendered homeless and deprived of food, drinking water and other basic amenities. Rescue work has been disrupted by heavy rainfall and damage to supply routes. The local people are seething (filled) with anger against the delayed limited rescue operations.

When your team reaches the affected area, the people there heckle (interrupt) and even assault some of the team members .

One of your team members is even severely injured. Faced with this crisis, some team members plead with you to call off the operations fearing threats to their life.

In such trying circumstances, what will be your response? Examine the qualities of a public servant which will be required to manage the situation. (250 words) 20

Key Points

Response

·         Local People =>  Apology; Arrange for food and water; speak to the leaders; Non cooperation – delay; Explain about our efforts

·         Team Members => First aid; arrange for protection; Motivate; Imp of Public service; Assurance about the justice; Lead from the front

Qualities

·         Empathy

·         Decisiveness – Quick and firm

·         Persuasion

·         Fortitude - Calm and confidence

·         Leadership

Discuss the negative consequences of anger on our thoughts and behavior. Explain some steps to deal with the anger?

Consequences of Anger

·         Prevents logical thinking

·         Not ready to accept our mistakes; do not look from other’s perspective; loose forgiveness; develop revenge

·         Hate speech; destroy materials; harsh decision; regret later

·         Leads to => Divorce; conflicts; communalism; racism; casteism; interstater water disputes; border disputes

·         Loss of confidence and depression

Steps to deal with the anger

·         Self awareness - know the triggers;

·         Learn the techniques to calm down – distract the mind

·         Focus on problem not on the people; hate the sin not the sinner

·         Understand and predict consequences

·         Seek professional help