Que. As a senior officer in the Finance Ministry, you have access to some confidential and crucial information about policy decisions that the Government is about to announce. These decisions are likely to have a far-reaching impact on the housing and construction industry. If the builders have access to this information beforehand, they can make huge profits. One of the builders has done a lot of quality work for the Government and is known to be close to your immediate superior, who asks you to disclose this information to the said builder. (a) What are the options available to you? (b) Evaluate each of these options and choose the option which you would adopt, giving reasons.

UPSC CSE : 2013

Answer:

Approach:

Introduction

  • Shortly analyze the case study.

Body

  • Analyze each of the options with merits and demerits

Conclusion

  • Prospective way forward.

Introduction:

The case presents a dilemma where a senior officer in the Finance Ministry is asked to disclose confidential information to a builder for personal gain.

Body:

Option 1: Disclose the confidential information to the builder as instructed by your immediate superior.

Pros:

  • Maintain a good relationship with your superior.
  • Avoid potential conflicts or negative consequences from disobeying the instruction.

Cons:

  • Unethical behavior that undermines fair competition.
  • Potential legal consequences for sharing confidential information.
  • Damage to your professional reputation and integrity.

Option 2: Refuse to disclose the information and maintain confidentiality, even if it goes against the wishes of your superior.

Pros:

  • Uphold ethical standards and maintain the integrity of the policy decisions.
  • Protect the interests of the housing and construction industry as a whole.
  • Demonstrate personal integrity and professionalism.

Cons:

  • Strained relationship with your immediate superior.
  • Possible backlash or negative consequences from your superior.
  • Potential professional repercussions or difficulties within the organization.

Option 3: Seek guidance from a higher authority or ethics committee within the ministry.

Pros:

  • Obtain expert advice and guidance on the ethical implications of the situation.
  • Protect yourself from potential accusations of wrongdoing.
  • Ensure a fair and transparent decision-making process.

Cons:

  • Delay in obtaining guidance, which may impact time-sensitive matters.
  • Possible negative reactions or consequences from your immediate superior.
  • Limited control over the outcome, as it depends on the response of the higher authority or ethics committee.

Option 4: Report the situation to the appropriate authorities or file a complaint against your superior.

Pros:

  • Uphold ethical standards and promote transparency.
  • Protect the public interest and prevent potential misuse of confidential information.
  • Initiate an investigation into any unethical behavior within the organization.

Cons:

  • Potential backlash or retaliation from your immediate superior or others involved.
  • Risk of professional consequences or strained relationships.
  • Process may take time and resources, and the outcome is uncertain.

b) Evaluation of options:

  • Disclosing the information would be unethical and could lead to legal consequences. It undermines fair competition and benefits only a select few.
  • Maintaining confidentiality upholds ethical standards and protects the integrity of the policy decisions. However, it may strain your relationship with your superior.
  • Seeking guidance from a higher authority or ethics committee can provide you with a clear course of action and protect you from any potential repercussions.
  • Reporting the situation to the appropriate authorities or filing a complaint against your superior may be necessary if your immediate superior persists in their unethical request.

Conclusion:

The best option would be to maintain confidentiality and refuse to disclose the information to the builder.

Upholding ethical standards is crucial in your role as a senior officer, and it is important to prioritize the public interest over personal relationships.

If the situation persists, seeking guidance from a higher authority or ethics committee would be the next appropriate step to ensure transparency and integrity in decision-making processes.

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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