Mains Practice Questions

Case Study

Sneha Verma, a young and upright IAS officer, is serving as CEO of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) in a drought-prone district of Maharashtra. She is overseeing the implementation of a crucial Rs 50 crore water conservation project under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, aimed at preventing crop failure and mass migration. While finalizing tenders, the lowest bidder—XYZ Pvt. Ltd.—emerges with strong credentials. However, Sneha is informally warned by colleagues about the firm’s alleged involvement in substandard work and bribery in another state, despite no formal conviction or blacklist status.

The situation escalates when a local MLA visits Sneha, subtly pressuring her to award the contract to Saraswati Infra, citing urgency and hinting at consequences for her upcoming transfer. The next morning, she receives an anonymous email with alleged proof of the firm’s manipulated quality reports in previous projects. With villagers anxiously awaiting project execution before the monsoon, Sneha is torn between ensuring integrity and avoiding delays that could harm livelihoods and invite political backlash.

Questions

(a) Identify and discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.

(b) What are the options available to Sneha? Evaluate each of them. What would be the most appropriate course of action for Sneha?

(c) In the long run, how should public institutions ensure ethical integrity and transparency in public procurement while balancing the urgency of developmental needs?