Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Start your answer by briefly explaining the case.
• Discuss various stakeholders and ethical issues involved in the case.
• Discuss the various options available and mention the pros and cons of each option.
• Conclude accordingly by selecting one or a combination of options.

Introduction

• The case revolves around Nila, a District Magistrate in a tribal-dominated region, who faces a complex situation with conflicting interests. The region faces challenges like inadequate infrastructure, high unemployment, and lack of amenities. The tribal population is dependent on farming and forest produce but is threatened by industrialization and urbanization.
• Nila is responsible for promoting development and ensuring the welfare of citizens, including facilitating projects by corporations that are expected to bring investments and job opportunities for locals. However, the projects are causing environmental damage and violating tribal rights.

Body

• Stakeholders Involved:
  • Local population,
  • Corporations,
  • Government,
  • Investors,
  • Environment,
  • Society at large.
• Ethical Issues Involved:
  • Environmental degradation,
  • Violation of human rights,
  • Corruption,
  • Exploitation of labor.
  • Human rights,
  • Sustainable development.
• Options Available:
  • Supporting the Projects Undertaken by Corporations: Nila can ignore environmental degradation and exploitation of labor and continue to support the corporations' projects as they are expected to bring investments and job opportunities for the locals.
    • Pros:
      • It could bring investments and job opportunities for locals.
      • It could promote economic development and improve the standard of living of the locals.
      • It could help Nila fulfill her duty as a civil servant by facilitating the functioning of projects.
    • Cons:
      • It would lead to environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources.
      • It would violate the rights of the tribal population.
      • This could lead to social and political unrest, affecting law and order in the region.
  • Opposing the Projects Undertaken by Corporations: Nila can oppose the projects, citing environmental concerns and the violation of the rights of the tribal population.
    • Pros:
      • It could protect the environment and natural resources.
      • It could protect the rights of the tribal population.
      • It could establish Nila as an ethical and responsible civil servant.
    • Cons:
      • It could lead to the withdrawal of investments and job opportunities for the locals.
      • It could affect the economic development and standard of living of the locals.
      • This could lead to deterioration of law and order in the region.
  • Negotiating with Corporations: Nila can negotiate with corporations, insisting on sustainable development and protection of the rights of the tribal population.
    • Pros:
      • This would achieve a balance between economic development and environmental protection.
      • It would protect the rights of the tribal population.
      • It would establish Nila as a responsible and efficient civil servant.
    • Cons:
      • This could lead to delays and compromises, affecting the speed and quality of the projects.
      • This could still lead to environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources.
  • Promoting Alternative Development Models: Nila can promote alternative development models, emphasizing sustainable development, environmental protection, and the rights of the tribal population.
    • Pros:
      • This could prioritize sustainable development and environmental protection.
      • It would prioritize the rights of the tribal population.
      • It could establish Nila as an innovative and responsible civil servant.
    • Cons:
      • It would require more significant investments and longer-term planning, affecting the short-term needs of the locals.
      • This option will take longer to implement, affecting the speed of development in the region.
      • This option may face resistance from corporations and investors who prioritize profits over sustainable development.

Conclusion

• Nila, as the District Magistrate, faces a complex situation that requires balancing economic development, environmental protection, and the rights of the tribal population. To address this, she can choose the combination of option 3 and 4, that is to negotiate with corporations to ensure sustainable development and protect the rights of the tribal population while promoting alternative development models that prioritize sustainable development, environmental protection, and the rights of the tribal population. This approach would establish Nila as an innovative and responsible civil servant who prioritizes the welfare of the citizens and the environment.