Topic: case study – Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
6. You are a senior level officer in the government responsible for utilisation of a corpus of Rs. 800 crore fund for some welfare activities. You have been told by a minister of the state to divert the fund for flood relief in the state. Although you have power to do so but any diversion of the fund needs proper justification in the annual financial report and if found any lacuna then it can be the case of financial impropriety. Will you divert the fund? Explain and give your view. (250 words)
Why the question:
The question is a case study involving ethical factors and dilemma.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the nuances of the case in detail and present your viewpoint with suitable ethically sound justifications.
Directive:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with identification of the ethical concerns in the case study.
Body:
The case study involves the following ethical dimensions – probity in governance, prudent utilisation of public funds, civil services- politician relations and integrity.
Then present your viewpoint in detail with sufficient reasoning such as –
There should not be complete denial or Officer should first look into Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) or whether legally possible to divert with the permission of higher authority or other ways Or Diversion if permissible then set a mechanism for proper utilisation of fund etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by explaining why effective utilization of public funds is crucial.
