← All questionsGS4 · 2018 · Case Studies — Public Sector ·Minister's Road Realignment Pressure (Case)
QUESTION 8
GS4
20 marks

As a senior officer in the Ministry, you have access to important policy decisions and upcoming big announcements such as road constructions projects before they are notified in the public domain. The Ministry is about to announce a mega road project for which the drawings are already in place. Sufficient care was taken by the planners to make use of the government land with the minimum land acquisition from private parties. Compensation rate for private parties was also finalized as per government rules. Care was also taken to minimize deforestation. Once the project is announced, it is expected that there will be a huge spurt in real estate prices in and around that area. Meanwhile, the Minister concerned insists that you realign the road in such a way that it comes closer to his 20 acres farm house. He also suggests that he would facilitate purchase of a big plot of land in your wife’s name at the prevailing rate which is very nominal, in and around the proposed mega road project. He also tries to convince you by saying that there is no harm in it as he is buying the land legally. He even promises to supplement your savings in case you do not have sufficient funds to buy the land. However, by the act of realignment, a lot of agricultural land has to be acquired, thereby causing considerable financial burden on the government, and also displacement of the farmers. As if this is not enough, it will involve cutting down of a large number of trees, denuding the area of its green cover. Faced with this situation, what will you do? Critically examine various conflicts of interest and explain what are your responsibilities as a public servant.

WRITE IN
14 min
250 words

What the examiner wants

Decide how to respond to a minister's demand to realign a road for private gain, and examine the conflicts of interest.

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

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Stakeholders: public, displaced families, environment, minister, you and your family≈50 words
  2. 2Conflict of interest: actual for the minister; potential and actual for you through the offered land deal; misuse of insider information≈50 words
  3. 3Options: comply (gain, but illegal and harmful); stay silent; refuse politely, record the advice, report to seniors≈50 words
  4. 4Course: refuse; give written note on costs and harms; keep original alignment based on technical merit; report if pressure persists; seek transfer if needed≈50 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

FactsStakeholdersConflicts of interestOptionsChosen courseResponsibilities as public servantConclusion

Where marks usually go

  • Agreeing to a 'middle path' realignment
  • Not examining your own conflict of interest

Draw this

  • Stakeholder map with harms of realignment

Value addition

  • LawThe Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended 2018) punishes accepting undue advantage, including for a relative.PC Act, Sections 7 and 13
  • LawBuying land in a spouse's name with insider benefit can attract the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016.Parliament, 2016
  • RuleAIS (Conduct) Rules require prior intimation of immovable property deals (Rule 16).AIS (Conduct) Rules, 1968

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