Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

Dr. Anjali, a newly appointed Director of the State Health Department, uncovers large-scale corruption in the procurement of life-saving medical equipment, leading to patient deaths. The tendering process was manipulated under her predecessor, but junior officials fear speaking out, and powerful interests seek to suppress the issue.

• A journalist with evidence offers media exposure, while an activist group demands legal action, adding a layer of public pressure.

Body

1. Ethical Issues Involved in the Case:

• Compromised Public Health and Safety: The procurement of substandard ventilators has directly led to patient deaths, violating the fundamental duty of public institutions to ensure healthcare quality.
  • The negligence in quality control reflects a failure of duty, leading to loss of innocent lives.
• Corruption and Abuse of Power: The manipulation of the tendering process to favor a private company indicates deep-rooted corruption.
  • This undermines transparency, fairness, and integrity in public administration.
  • Senior bureaucratic and business interests attempting to suppress accountability further perpetuate unethical governance.
• Fear and Lack of Whistleblower Protection: The reluctance of junior officials to come forward highlights the fear of retaliation, indicating a failure in institutional mechanisms to protect whistleblowers.
  • An ethical administration must foster a culture where truth and accountability are encouraged.
• Truth and Press Freedom: Journalists have a moral obligation to expose corruption and inform the public.
  • However, powerful entities may attempt to suppress the truth, raising concerns about media independence, transparency, and the role of the press in upholding democratic values.
• Justice and Accountability: Ensuring that corrupt individuals face legal consequences is fundamental to maintaining justice and accountability in governance.
  • However, bureaucratic hurdles and institutional resistance may obstruct legal action, posing a challenge to the enforcement of the rule of law.

2. Options Available to Anjali as a Conscientious Civil Servant:

Option- 1. Launch an Internal Investigation and Strengthen Procurement Processes

• Advantages: Ensures due process, prevents future irregularities, and avoids immediate confrontation with powerful interests. Strengthening procurement policies can create long-term systemic reforms.
• Issues: May delay justice for victims, does not immediately punish wrongdoers, and could be perceived as bureaucratic inaction. Senior officials may try to dilute the investigation.

Option- 2. Forward the Case to Anti-Corruption Agencies (CBI/Vigilance/State Lokayukta)

• Advantages: Brings legal accountability, deters future corruption, and upholds institutional integrity. An independent probe prevents direct political pressure on Anjali.
• Issues: Powerful bureaucratic and business interests may attempt to influence or stall the investigation. It could also lead to political backlash and Anjali’s transfer.

Option- 3. Collaborate with the Journalist for a Controlled Public Disclosure

• Advantages: Media exposure can generate public pressure, making it harder for political and bureaucratic forces to suppress the case. Strengthens democracy and transparency.
• Issues: Could lead to sensationalism, risking reputational damage to the department. May also result in political backlash or pressure tactics against Anjali.

Option- 4. Support the Activist Group’s Demand for Legal Action

• Advantages: Civil society pressure can push authorities to act, ensuring that the case remains in the public eye. Strengthens participatory governance and accountability.
• Issues: May escalate into a political controversy, diverting attention from actual reforms. Powerful vested interests could counter the activism through legal and administrative means.

Option- 5. Take a Cautious Approach and Focus on Future Governance

• Advantages: Avoids direct confrontation, ensures job security, and allows Anjali to make incremental reforms within the system. Prevents political victimization.
• Issues: Ignores past corruption, denies justice to victims, and allows unethical practices to continue. Public trust in governance may further erode.

Most Appropriate and Pragmatic Approach:

Anjali should adopt a balanced strategy that combines elements of Option 1 (Internal Investigation) and Option 2 (Involving Anti-Corruption Agencies) while using controlled media exposure (Option 3) as a strategic tool.

• Immediate Steps: Initiate an internal inquiry to establish documentary evidence and improve procurement processes to prevent future corruption.
• Accountability Mechanism: Forward the case to the Vigilance Commission or Lokayukta to ensure legal proceedings while shielding herself from direct political fallout.
• Strategic Public Engagement: Work with the journalist to ensure responsible and fact-based reporting rather than sensationalism, strengthening public awareness without compromising procedural integrity.

3. Systemic Reforms to Prevent Corruption in Public Procurement, Ensure Bureaucratic Independence, and Protect Whistleblowers:

• Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in Public Procurement
  • Implement e-procurement systems with real-time tracking, automated audits, and blockchain-based record-keeping to minimize human discretion.
  • Mandate reverse bidding and global tenders for high-value contracts to ensure competitive pricing and prevent favoritism.
  • Strengthen independent procurement audits and make contract details publicly accessible under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
• Establishing Independent Anti-Corruption Oversight Mechanisms
  • Strengthen institutions like Lokpal, CVC (Central Vigilance Commission), and State Lokayuktas by granting them autonomous prosecutorial powers.
  • Make public procurement audits by CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) more stringent, ensuring immediate action on red flags.
• Ensuring Bureaucratic Independence and Insulating Civil Servants from Political Pressure
  • Implement fixed tenure for key administrative positions (e.g., health, finance, infrastructure) to prevent arbitrary transfers that discourage anti-corruption efforts.
  • Introduce a structured appeals mechanism for officers transferred under questionable circumstances due to ethical decision-making.
• Strengthening Whistleblower Protection and Internal Complaint Mechanisms
  • Implement Whistleblower Protection Act, 2014 in full spirit by ensuring anonymity, immunity from retaliation, and independent investigation mechanisms.
  • Create a secure digital whistleblowing platform linked to Lokpal, allowing safe reporting of corruption without fear of exposure.
  • Mandate internal ethics committees in all government departments with independent oversight and periodic reporting of grievances.
• Institutionalizing Ethical Governance and Training of Public Officials
  • Make ethics and integrity training a mandatory part of bureaucratic education in LBSNAA, state ATIs (Administrative Training Institutes), and government service inductions.
  • Establish integrity scorecards for government departments based on independent audits, public feedback, and corruption case trends.
  • Introduce performance-linked promotions and incentives for officers who uphold transparency and integrity in public administration.

Conclusion

Dr. Anjali must balance ethical integrity with pragmatic decision-making by ensuring accountability through legal action while strengthening systemic reforms. A transparent investigation, institutional safeguards, and strategic public engagement will uphold justice without compromising governance stability. Her actions should set a precedent for ethical leadership, reinforcing public trust in the administration.