Topic: ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions
8) Rekha cleared UPSC civil services exam and became an IAS officer. She was intelligent, bold and beautiful. After her probationary training, she was posted as CEO of Zilla Panchayat in a very backward district in a far away state from her home. There, violence and discrimination against women was rampant. The politicians, including elected representatives were known for their contempt against women officers in the district. Rekha’s parents tried to persuade her to marry an IAS officer (male) from their home state who had shown interest in marrying her. This would ensure her return to her home state where, her parents thought, she would get a safe and cosy posting.
Rekha firmly told her parents that she wanted to face such hardships and serve backward regions. As soon as she assumed her office, rumours were spread about her past and alleged links with mafia in the region. She had taken extraordinary measures to stop illegal activities such as sand smuggling and encroachment of government property despite risk to her life. A recent news report alleged that she was going soft on mafia. Another report suggested that she had an affair with an IAS officer working in a neighbouring district.
Identify the elements of ethical concerns and dilemma in the above case and substantiate how you would have responded to each of such concerns and dilemma if you were Rekha. (200 Words)
