← All questionsGS4 · 2016 · Ethics Case Study ·Destitute Woman without Documents
QUESTION 11
GS4
20 marks

Suppose you are an officer in-charge of implementing a social service scheme to provide support to old and destitute women. An old and illiterate woman comes to you to avail the benefits of the scheme. However, she has no documents to show that she fulfils the eligibility criteria. But after meeting her and listening to her you feel that she certainly needs support. Your enquiries also show that she is really destitute and living in a pitiable condition. You are in a dilemma as to what to do. Putting her under the scheme without necessary documents would clearly be violation of rules. But denying her the support would be cruel and inhuman.1) Can you think of a rational way to resolve this dilemma?2) Give your reasons for it. You are an honest and responsible civil servant. You often observe the following:1) There is a general perception that adhering to ethical conduct one may face difficulties to oneself and cause problems for the family, whereas unfair practices may help to reach the career goals.

WRITE IN
14 min
250 words

What the examiner wants

Resolve the dilemma of including a genuinely destitute woman who lacks required documents.

Case studyName the stakeholders and the issues, weigh the options, and say what you would do and why.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Stakeholders: woman, officer, scheme integrity, taxpayers≈50 words
  2. 2Ethical issues: rule-following vs compassion; letter vs spirit of law≈50 words
  3. 3(a) Rational way: verify through local inquiry and witnesses, help obtain documents, use alternative proofs, interim support≈50 words
  4. 4(b) Reasons: scheme's purpose, Article 21 dignity, compassion with accountability≈50 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

DilemmaStakeholders(a) optionsChosen course(b) reasonsConclusion

Where marks usually go

  • Breaking rules without documenting the reasoning
  • Denying help purely on rules

Draw this

  • Flowchart: verify → help documentation → interim support

Value addition

  • LawSection 7 of the Aadhaar Act requires alternate means of identification if Aadhaar is not available.Aadhaar Act, 2016
  • PolicyGovernment allowed self-attestation of documents in place of gazetted officer attestation (2014-15).DARPG

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