You have joined as the Undersecretary in a government department. After joining the office, you start getting signals from your colleagues and subordinates that yours is a plum posting. Your predecessors have made good fortunes from this posting. Some even shared ideas on how to extract quick fortunes by manipulation. But having an honest credential, you squarely refuse the ideas. Within a week, you are called by your reporting officer who ridicules you for being naive and stupid, for having refused to take advantage of opportunities. He tells you that he is not bothered by your saintly path. However, he directs you to keep quiet and refrain from meddling in others’ businesses. He also threatens that you may be shunted to a remote location if you don’t comply with his directions. How would you respond to this situation? When the entire system is against you and forcing you to toe the line, what are the options available to you? Which one would you choose and why? Substantiate. (250 Words / 15 M) (GS-4 Case Study)

Approach :

1. Introduction – state the main theme of the case study.
2. Mention what should be your response in the given situation.
3. State and evaluate the options available to you with merits & demerits.
4. Write your final course of action, giving reasons.

In the governmental context, corruption refers to the act of abuse of power for personal gains either pecuniary or a favour. The menace of corruption is pervasive in India, where it is not only limited to government authorities but can be seen within the private sector as well. The present case depicts a scenario of collusive corruption where all in the department are involved in some form of corruption, with explicit acceptance.

Response:

• As the Undersecretary of the department, I would try and uphold the values of integrity, honesty, professionalism and maintain a transparent conduct while responding to the present situation.
• I shall not become pliable to the pressure of peers & seniors to conform to their misdoings.

Options available:

• Accept the direction of the reporting officer by being oblivious to the mis-happenings and maintaining honesty individually :
• Merits– this should help in maintaining personal integrity wouldn’t antagonizing co-workers and also help in career progression.
• Demerits– But this would be against principle of probity and professionalism. Remaining quiet means lending indirect encouragement to corruption.
• Considering the suggestions of juniors and example of predecessors, involve in some practices to gain materially :
• Merits– Would help in material enrichment, and better acclimatization to the present work environment.
• Demerits– Would be completely illegal act, risk of future prosecution by anti-corruption agencies, immoral and unethical practice. Remember that crime never pays.
• Approach seniors in the Ministry with regard to wrong doings in the department requesting departmental enquiry into the workings while also reprimanding subordinates :
• Merits– This will make aware the higher-ups about the immoral practices pervading in the department. Also, this will help bring in clean administration. There will remain chances of the miscreants being punished under law. This can also optimise government resources.
• Demerits– However, this may jeopardise future career progression or transfer to remote location, along with public defamation in any false case.

In the given scenario, I shall go with option III as the future course of action. This would be the most appropriate step, without compromising my high ethical and moral standards, besides being a professionally competent step. Constitutional obligations and personal ideals would demand not succumbing to the temptations of corruption. This will help in maintaining my peace of mind and a clear conscience. A public servant is required to think of the larger public interest first, relegating his personal concerns or dangers aside. Therefore, I should be ready to face the unintended consequences of the action, if any.