Sunita was a young, idealistic development officer in a district panchayat. After joining the district, she studied about its social and economic situation. She consulted various plan documents and looked at the social and economic parameters of the district. She found that the district is relatively better off than other districts in terms of irrigation, crop diversification and industry. But its social indicators were poor with high infant mortality rate, high maternal mortality rate and low literacy percentage among women. Based on her analysis, Sunita thought that large investments in the social sector will be necessary in order to tackle these problems. The panchayat was an elected body. It has decided to spend 40% of its budget on minor irrigation. Sunita felt that the large allocation to minor irrigation will benefit land owning farmers and starve other social programmes. What should Sunita do in these circumstances?

Topic:  Case study

6. Sunita was a young, idealistic development officer in a district panchayat. After joining the district, she studied about its social and economic situation. She consulted various plan documents and looked at the social and economic parameters of the district. She found that the district is relatively better off than other districts in terms of irrigation, crop diversification and industry. But its social indicators were poor with high infant mortality rate, high maternal mortality rate and low literacy percentage among women. Based on her analysis, Sunita thought that large investments in the social sector will be necessary in order to tackle these problems. The panchayat was an elected body. It has decided to spend 40% of its budget on minor irrigation. Sunita felt that the large allocation to minor irrigation will benefit land owning farmers and starve other social programmes. What should Sunita do in these circumstances? (250 words)

Reference:  Case Study

Why this question:

The question is based on Ethical Reasoning and Moral Dilemmas that public servants face.

Key demand of the question:

Explain in detail what the available choices to Sunita are, the development officer in a district panchayat.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Briefly explain the situation in the question, point out the moral dilemmas posed by the situation to Sunita, and explain here the importance of ethical reasoning.

Body:

Explain how she should not adopt improper means in trying to achieve higher spending on social sector. Following are the possible options that one can discuss and substantiate opinion based on ethical backing –

1. She should tell officers to surreptitiously divert money to social welfare programmes under some pretext.
2. She should follow the Panchayat’s decision.
3. She should discuss matters with elected officials of the Panchayat and try to convince them of the need to accord greater priority to social sector.
4. She should reconcile herself to the economic inequalities and the power structure of the rural society.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a fair and balanced approach.