The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examination is renowned as one of the most prestigious and challenging competitive exams in India. In the year 2013, the General Studies Paper 4, often referred to as GS 4, presented candidates with a diverse array of ethical dilemmas and situational questions. This paper aimed to evaluate the ethical and moral aptitude of aspiring civil servants, testing their ability to navigate complex issues with integrity and sound judgment. Through a series of case studies and theoretical inquiries, candidates were required to demonstrate their understanding of ethical principles and their practical application in governance and public administration. The UPSC GS 4 paper serves as a crucial benchmark for selecting individuals who possess not only the knowledge but also the ethical fortitude necessary to serve the nation with honesty, fairness, and dedication.
Q10. You are working as an Executive Engineer in the construction cell of a Municipal Corporation and are presently in-charge of the construction of a flyover. There are two Junior Engineers under you who have the responsibility of day-to-day inspection of the site and are reporting to you, while you are finally reporting to the Chief Engineer who heads the cell. While the construction is heading towards completion, the Junior Engineers have been regularly reporting that all construction is taking place as per design specifications. However, in one of your surprise inspections, you have noticed some serious deviations and lacunae which, in your opinion, are likely to affect the safety of the flyover. Rectification of these lacunae at this stage would require a substantial amount of demolition and rework which will cause a tangible loss to the contractor and will also delay completion. There is a lot of public pressure on the Corporation to get this construction completed because of heavy traffic congestion in the area. When you brought this matter to the notice of the Chief Engineer, he advised you that in his opinion it is not a very serious lapse and may be ignored. He advised for further expediting the project for completion in time. However, you are convinced that this was a serious matter which might affect public safety and should not be left unaddressed.
What will you do in such a situation? Some of the options are given below. Evaluate the merits and demerits of each of these options and finally suggest what course of action you would like to take, giving reasons. (250 words 20 marks)
(i) Follow the advice of the Chief Engineer and go ahead.
(ii) Make an exhaustive report of the situation bringing out all facts and analysis along with your own viewpoints stated clearly and seek for written orders from the chief Engineer.
(iii) Call for explanation from the Junior Engineers and issue orders to the contractor for necessary correction within targeted time.
(iv) Highlight the issue so that it reaches superiors above the Chief Engineer.
(v) Considering the rigid attitude of the Chief Engineer, seek transfer from the project or report sickness.
Tags: Case Studies
Case Summary: An Executive Engineer in the construction cell of a Municipal Corporation and is presently in-charge of the construction of a flyover noticed flaws in the construction of the bridge. There is a lot of public pressure on the Corporation to get the construction completed. The flaws in construction of the bridge were brought to the notice of the Chief Engineer, who advised the executive engineer to ignore the matter. So, this case is essentially regarding the public service with responsibility and public safety.
Stakeholders: Executive Engineer, Junior Engineers, Chief Engineer, Municipal Corporation, Public.
Ethical Issues/Ethical Dilemmas: To uphold Ethical standards and values as a practicing engineer, Work ethic will be compromised, Injustice to Public Service, Jeopardizing many people’s life.
Answers:
(i) Follow the advice of the Chief Engineer and go ahead.
| Merit(s) | Demerit(s) |
| Option (i) holds no merit except the pressure is handled for the time being. | By following the advice of the chief engineer, he will be running from his responsibility and will not be able to uphold ethical standards and values as a practicing engineer. On a personal level he will always be in guilt. |
(ii) Make an exhaustive report of the situation bringing out all facts and analysis along with your own viewpoints stated clearly and seek for written orders from the Chief Engineer.
| Merit(s) | Demerit(s) |
| Option(ii) holds the merit as by preparing an exhaustive report of the situation by bringing out all facts and analysis, a clear assessment can be done. On the basis of data and facts, reports can be shared with top authorities. | Option(ii) holds no demerit except for the professional relation at personal level with the senior may get affected. |
(iii) Call for explanation from the Junior Engineers and issue orders to the contractor for necessary correction within targeted time.
| Merit(s) | Demerit(s) |
| Option (iii) holds merit, as it will make Junior engineers and contractors accountable and also, they won’t be able to skip from their responsibility. | Calling for an explanation from JE can jeopardize his relationship with them. But that can be ignore as this step will save lakhs of commuter’s lives if any mishap happens in future. |
(iv) Highlight the issue so that it reaches superiors above the Chief Engineer.
| Merit(s) | Demerit(s) |
| Option (iv) does have a merit as it will make the chief engineer realise his mistake. | Doing so, the executive engineer can strain his relationship with the chief engineer. Allegations of breaking the hierarchy of seniors can come against executive engineers. |
(v) Considering the rigid attitude of the Chief Engineer, seek transfer from the project or report sickness.
| Merit(s) | Demerit(s) |
| Option (v) holds little merit except for the fact that an executive engineer can recuse himself from the responsibility given. | Option (v) will make the executive engineer run away from his responsibility. |
My course of action:
As an executive engineer, I will make an exhaustive report with all data and facts and also dangers that can come if the issue is ignored. The report will be submitted to the chief engineer to take further action along with the caveat that proceeding further in work can raise many issues. Further, Junior engineers will be made accountable and will be asked to submit the report on their lackadaisical behaviour.
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