Topic: Ethical concerns in administration;
8) You are working as Block Development Officer. In one of the Gram Panchayat administered school, a post of cook is lying vacant for long time. Recently, the committee of selection which consists of school head master, panchayat president and other members have shortlisted four women for the post. However, many villagers are unhappy that a dalit woman is included in the list. There are protests being held outside school and panchayat office against selection committee’s decision. Village elders are trying to persuade you to cancel the list or to remove the Dalit woman’s name from the list in order to maintain harmony in the village. The issue has snowballed into violent fight between Dalits and people of other castes in the village. Apart from dalit woman, the list includes a widow who is abandoned by both her families, an upper caste woman but physically disabled and a an acid attack victim. The dalit woman is economically sound, but she is also most eligible for the post in terms of meeting other criteria of the post.
a) What are the options available to you in handling this situation? Examine their merits and demerits. (150 Words)
b) Finally, with or without opposition from any quarters, personally whom will you select from four women for the post of cook? Justify. (150 Words)
Case Study
