UPSC 2017: Comprehensive News Analysis - Sept 02

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS1 Related
B. GS2 Related
Polity
1. HC puts Haryana quota law in abeyance till March
2. Expedite trial in gang rape case, says SC
3. Central panel says states don’t need to hike NREG pay to match minimum wage  
4. SC to hear Rohingya plea for help 
5. U.S. court rules in favour of Dr. Reddy’s in patent litigation
International Relations
1. India to sign 4 pacts at BRICS summit  
2. Sushma Swaraj meets Sirisena, discusses progress on Indian projects   
C. GS3 Related
Economics
1. Centre tells PSBs to begin merger process ‘immediately’ 
2. Switzerland for early India-EFTA pact 
3. Shifting goal posts: Demonetisation has totally failed to curb black money 
Environment and Ecology
1. Volcanic carbon dioxide drove ancient global warming: study
2. Marine diversity in Antarctica under threat 
D. GS4 Related
E. Prelims Fact
F. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
G. UPSC Mains Practice Questions 

 

A. GS1 Related

Nothing here for Today!!!

 

B. GS2 Related

Category: POLITY

1. HC puts Haryana quota law in abeyance till March

In news:

  • The Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed the implementation of a Haryana law providing reservation to Jats and five other communities, till March next year.
  • Court also directed the State Backward Classes Commission to determine the quota in government jobs and education institutions to be given to these communities after studying relevant data and submit a report by March 2018. 
Basic Information

National Commission for Backward Classes:

  • National Commission for Backward Classes is under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
  • It was constituted pursuant to the provisions of the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993.
    • Constitutional status: In 2017, a bill seeking to grant constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes is scheduled to be passed in Parliament. The bill has been passed by both the houses of Parliament and is awaiting the President’s assent. The NCBC Bill, will insert Article 338B.
    • Indra Sawhney & Ors. Vs. Union of India: The commission was the outcome of Indra Sawhney & Ors. Vs. Union of India. The Supreme Court of India in its Judgement–directed the Government of India, State Governments and Union Territory Administrations to constitute a permanent body in the nature of a Commission or Tribunal for entertaining, examining and recommending upon requests for inclusion and complaints of over-inclusion and under-inclusion in the list of OBCs. The Supreme Court held that the Constitution recognised only social and educational — and not economic — backwardness.
    • Composition: The Act provides that the Commission shall consist of five Members: a Chairperson who is or has been a judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court; a social scientist; two persons who have special knowledge in matters relating to backward classes; and a Member-Secretary, who is or has been an officer of the Central Government in the rank of a Secretary to the Government of India. Their term is of Three years.
  • Fucntions:
    • The commission considers inclusions in and exclusions from the lists of communities notified as backward for the purpose of job reservations and tenders the needful advice to the Central Government
    • National Commission for Backward Classes has not yet been empowered to look into the grievances of persons of Other Backward Classes.

2. Expedite trial in gang rape case, says SC

In News:

  • The Supreme Court order: trial against Greyhound police force personnel allegedly involved in the gang rape of 11 women belonging to a vulnerable Adivasi tribe in Visakhapatnam be expedited and concluded in six months.
  • Fact: the criminal trial had not moved in the past one decade (the victims have been waiting for justice since 2007).
Basic Information
  • Greyhound police force: GreyHounds is a special force of the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states which undertakes high risk operations against Naxalite terrorists.

3. Central panel says states don’t need to hike NREG pay to match minimum wage

In news:

  • The panel for revision of wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has recommended that there is no need to ensure parity with minimum wages paid by various states
  • It states that wages under the rural employment guarantee scheme were last aligned to minimum wages in 2009, and that “there is no compelling reason to align MGNREGA and states minimum wages again”.
  • The panel had earlier found that MGNREGA wages were lower than the minimum agricultural wages paid in 17 states and Union Territories
  • In 2014, a seven-member expert committee, headed by Professor Mahendra Dev, had held that MGNREGA workers should be paid at least the minimum wages paid to agricultural workers in the states, if not more, to meet basic needs.
  • The report, was accepted by MoRD but rejected by the Finance Ministry citing the fiscal burden involved.
  • The ministry panel has agreed to the 2nd recommendation of the Mahendra Dev committee, that the Consumer Price Index for Rural (CPI-R), which reflects the present consumption pattern, should be the basis for annual revision of MGNREGA wage rates, and not CPI- Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL), which is based on the consumption pattern of 1983

Divergence in pay:

  • There has been a divergence because several states have arbitrarily increased their minimum wages without following any scientific principles.
  • There is no reason why the Centre should go by that

MGNREGA budget and Wage revision

  • Union government had claimed that this year’s MGNREGA budget of Rs 48,000 crore is the highest ever
  • But the wage revision this year was at a mere 2.7 percent, the lowest in the scheme’s ten-year legacy leading to a mere Rs 1-3 per day hike in several states.
  • The MGNREGA wages are far lower than minimum wages in states such as Karnataka, Punjab, West Bengal, Haryana, and Jharkhand

4. SC to hear Rohingya plea for help

Context:

  • Indian government’s proposal to deport 40,000-strong Rohingya Muslim refugee community back to their native Myanmar, where discrimination and possibly summary executions await them.
  • An urgent plea was made by two Rohingya Muslim immigrants against the government’s proposed move.

In news:

  • The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the plea.
  • Petitioners contention:
    • The Centre’s move to deport them violated the constitutional guarantee that the Indian state should “protect the life and liberty of every human being, whether citizen or not.”
    • The proposed deportation is contrary to the constitutional protections of Article 14 (equality), Article 21 (right to life) and Article 51(c) (respect for international law and treaty obligations) of the Constitution.
Basic Information

Article 14:  Equality before law

  • The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India .

Article 21: Protection of life and personal liberty

  • No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law

Article 51: Promotion of international peace and security

The State shall endeavour to

  1. Promote international peace and security;
  2. Maintain just and honourable relations between nations;
  3. Foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in the dealings of organized peoples with one another; and encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.

4. U.S. court rules in favour of Dr. Reddy’s in patent litigation

In news:

  • Indivior assertion: the proposed generic version of Suboxon. Inte (buprenorphine and naloxone) sublingual film by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories infringes the patent.
  • S. District Court ruling:
    • Ruled in favor of Reddy’s laboratory- does not infringe any patents.
    • Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories statement: The judgment reiterates our commitment to providing affordable and innovative medicines that address the unmet and under-met needs of patients around the world.

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. India to sign 4 pacts at BRICS summit

  • BRICS summit discussion: focus on global economic issues, national security, and development-related issues
  • Plenary session discussion focus: practical cooperation and cultural exchange.
  • Guests at Xiamen summit: Thailand, Mexico, Egypt, Guinea and Tajikistan

2. Sushma Swaraj meets Sirisena, discusses progress on Indian projects

Context:

  • External Affairs Minister visit to Sri Lanka, to participate in the Indian Ocean Conference organised by the India Foundation.

In news:

Discussed Issues:

  • The delay in the Constitution making process: Sri Lanka urged New Delhi to use its good offices to support the government see the process through.
  • Delay in implementing India​-backed projects in the island​.
  • India assured continued and fullest support to the Sri Lankan government: The national unity government led by President Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe — from the rival parties SLFP and UNP — is under pressure. It faces large scale corruption allegations in addition to a challenge from the SLFP faction led by former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has vowed to topple the government.

India’s project:

  • Joint development of a World War-era oil tank in the strategically located eastern port town of Trincomalee.
  • India has expressed its interest to operate Sri Lanka’s second international airport in Mattala.

 

C. GS3 Related

Category: ECONOMICS

1. Centre tells PSBs to begin merger process ‘immediately’

In news:

  • Merge immediately: The Centre wrote a letter to public sector banks asking them to start the merger process immediately and their respective boards to take up the issue.
  • The government wants the proposal for the merger to come from the bank itself.
  • Approval requirement of Competition Commission to expedite mergers among PSBs had been done away with.
  • Move based on the Narasimham committee report, which had highlighted the need for large-sized bank that could fund the huge infrastructure need of the country.
  • Procedure:
    • Once the board approves the merger plan, it has to be sent to the ‘alternative mechanism’ approved by the Union Cabinet.
    • Banks have also been asked to seek the banking regulator’s view regarding their proposal.
  • Key Fact:
    • Public sector that controls 70% of the market, are reeling under the pressure of asset quality which has depleted capital
    • Gross non-performing asset ratio in the banking system was 9.6% and stressed asset ratio at 12%.

2. Switzerland for early India-EFTA pact 

In news:

  • Visiting President of Switzerland Doris Leuthard said: early conclusion of the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) as well as an investment protection framework would boost economic ties between the two sides.
  • Negotiations have been running since 2008.
  • European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members: Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. 
Basic Information

Internet Grievance Forum:

  • The IGF is a forum for multi-stakeholder dialogue on public policy issues related to key elements of Internet governance issues, such as the Internet’s sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development.
  • The United Nations Secretary-General formally announced the establishment of the IGF in July 2006 and the first meeting was convened in October/November 2006.
  • Purpose:
    • The purpose of the IGF is to maximize the opportunity for open and inclusive dialogue and the exchange of ideas on Internet governance (IG) related issues; create opportunities to share best practices and experiences; identify emerging issues and bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the general public; contribute to capacity building for Internet governance.
    • The main aim of the IGF is to facilitate inclusive, productive discussions on Internet related public policy issues from a general perspective, while keeping all stakeholders involved. This includes having a harmonized and consistent approach when covering IG issues. To further this aim, the IGF adheres to the generally used UN principle of discouraging ad hominem attacks. As such, participants should refrain from singling out individual persons, companies, countries or entities during their interventions and throughout the general discussions and debates in main sessions, workshops and other events at IGF meetings. Concrete examples can be highlighted in the overall coverage of IG issues as long as it is not done in a blatantly inflammatory or potentially libelous way. Singling out one entity without broader context could not only discourage further participation of this entity, but endanger inclusive and productive discussion at the IGF.

Free Trade Agreement: A free-trade area is the region encompassing a trade bloc whose member countries have signed a free-trade agreement (FTA). Such agreements involve cooperation between at least two countries to reduce trade barriers – import quotas and tariffs – and to increase trade of goods and services with each other.

The degree of economic integration can be categorized into seven stages:

  • Preferential trading area
  • Free trade area
  • Customs union
  • Common market
  • Economic union
  • Economic and monetary union
  • Complete economic integration

3. Shifting goal posts: Demonetisation has totally failed to curb black money

Context: demonetisation was failure because RBI’s annual report showed that 98.96% of the demonetised currency had returned to the central bank.

Aims& Objectives:

  • November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced to the nation that ₹500 and ₹1,000 currency noteswould cease to be legal tender.
  • It was aimed at breaking the grip of corruption and black money
  • The notes hoarded by anti-national and anti-social elements will become just worthless pieces of paper.
  • Sizeable part of the ₹15.44 lakh crore of the two high-value banknotes would remain in the hands of the holders.
  • This demonetised money would not be tendered back into the banking system due to fear of punitive government action

Result:

  • RBI’s annual report, showed that as much as 98.96% of the demonetised currency had returned to the central bank as of June 30
  • RBI circular setting a ₹5,000 limit on deposits of withdrawn notes unless done under the government’s amnesty scheme, was a measure intended to dissuade bank customers from returning the demonetised currency.
  • Finance Minister to now claim that the “confiscation of money” had not been an objective, and the government had expected all the SBNs [specified bank notes] to come back to the banking system to become effectively usable currency
  • Despite the large amounts that were deposited in banks post-demonetisation, it is doubtful whether the Income Tax authorities have the necessary resources to track down and penalise the corrupt.

Demonetisation –Some benefits

  • Fostering greater compliance with the tax laws
  • Reducing the economy’s reliance on cash through increased adoption of digital payments.
  • But such gains could have been achieved by other and less self-defeating ways.

Category: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Volcanic carbon dioxide drove ancient global warming: study

In news:

Study revelations:

  • Extreme global warming event 56 million years ago was driven by massive carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from volcanoes, during the formation of the North Atlantic Ocean.
  • Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) was associated with a geologically rapid doubling of atmospheric CO2 in less than 25 thousand years — with volcanoes squarely to blame.
  • Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) event: is the most rapid and extreme natural global warming event of the last 66 million years. It lasted for around 150 thousand years and global temperatures increased by at least five degrees Celsius. PETM roughly coincided with the formation of massive ‘flood basalts’ — large stretches of ocean floor coated in lava, resulting from of a series of huge eruptions.
  • Believed till now: PETM event was caused by the injection of carbon into the ocean and atmosphere; the ultimate trigger, the source of this carbon, and the total amount released, have up to now all remained elusive.

Land drifts:

  • Greenland first started separating from north-western Europe, thereby creating the North Atlantic Ocean.
  • There was a total input of more than 10,000 petagrammes of carbon from a predominantly volcanic source.
  • This is a vast amount of carbon — some 30 times larger than all the fossil fuels burned to date and equivalent to all current conventional and unconventional fossil fuel reserves.

2. Marine diversity in Antarctica under threat

In news:

  • New research findings: An increase of just 1-2 degrees Celsius in shallow waters on the West Antarctic Peninsula has radically reduced marine diversity.
  • In an area like Australia, differences in ocean temperatures are likely to change around 10-20 degrees throughout the year; however, species in Antarctica have evolved in an environment where there is very little variation in temperature. It’s certainly a concern, when the temperature changes just by one or two degree Celsius here in the Antarctic region.

 

D. GS4 Related

Nothing here for Today!!!

 

E. PRELIMS FACT

NATIONAL PARKS/SANCTURIES/BIOSPHERE RESERVES:

1. Pin Valley National Park

  • Location: Lahaul and Spiti district, in the state of Himachal Pradesh, in far Northern India.
  • Features: With its snow laden unexplored higher reaches and slopes, the Park forms a natural habitat for a number of endangered animals including the snow leopard and Siberian ibex.

2. Simbalbara National Park

Location: Himachal Pradesh, India


IUCN Red List:

Spoon-billed sandpiper 
IUCN Classification: Critically endangered

Habitat and distribution: breeds in north-eastern Russia and winters in Southeast Asia. The spoon-billed sandpiper’s breeding habitat is sea coasts and adjacent hinterland on the Chukchi Peninsula and southwards along the isthmus of the Kamchatka peninsula It migrates down the Pacific coast through Japan, North Korea, South Korea and China, to its main wintering grounds in South and South-East Asia, where it has been recorded from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore.

 

Siberian crane
IUCN Classification: Critically endangered

Habitat and distribution:  The western area in the river basins of the Ob, Konda and Sossva and to the east a much larger population in Yakutia between the Yana and the Alazeya rivers. The western population winters in Iran and some individuals formerly wintered in India south to Nagpur and east to Bihar. The eastern populations winter mainly in the Poyang Lake area in China

 

F. Practice Questions for UPSC Prelims Exam

Question 1. The National Nutrition Week will be observed throughout the country from 1st to 7th 
September. Consider the following statements with respect to it
  1. The theme of the National Nutrition Week for 2017 is “Optimal Infant & Young Child Feeding Practices: Better Child Health”.
  2. The basic objective of this annual event is to intensify awareness generation on the importance of nutrition for health

Select the correct option.

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. None of the above

See

Answer


(c)

Topic: Current Affairs
Level: Moderate

Explanation 

Theme: The theme of the National Nutrition Week for 2017 is “Optimal Infant & Young Child Feeding Practices: Better Child Health”.

Objective: The basic objective of this annual event is to intensify awareness generation on the importance of nutrition for health which has an impact on development, productivity, economic growth and ultimately National development.

Question 2. Which of the following judgements are related to section 377 of IPC?
  1. Naz Foundation v. Government of NCT of Delhi (2009)
  2. Suresh Kumar Koushal v. Naz Foundation (2013) case

Select the correct option

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. None of the above

See

Answer


 (c)

Topic: Polity
Level: Moderate

Explanation

The Delhi High Court in Naz Foundation v. Government of NCT of Delhi (2009) rightly held that criminalising sexual activities with consent in private not only impairs the dignity of those persons targeted by the law, but it is also discriminatory and impacts the health of those people.

The top court had set aside a historic Delhi High Court judgment that had decriminalized homosexuality.

Supreme Court, in Suresh Kumar Koushal v. Naz Foundation (2013) case, set aside the Delhi High Court judgment and said that homosexuality or unnatural sex between two consenting adults under Section 377 of IPC is illegal and will continue to be an offense. The court said that Section 377 did not suffer from any “constitutional infirmity”.

The astounding claim made in Koushal case that there was no need to challenge Section 377 because the LGBT community constitutes only a minuscule minority has been completely discredited. It was unreasonable to advance the view that constitutional protection is available to a group based on its size.

Question 3. Consider the following statements with respect to National Commission 
for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017:
  1. The bill is meant to upgrade the Backward Classes Commission from a statutory body to a constitutional body.
  2. The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017, providing for setting up of a National Commission for Backward Classes, is passed by the Rajya Sabha and Lok sabha awaiting the President’s assent.

Select the correct option.

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. None of the above
See
Answer


 (c)

Topic: International Organisation
Level: Moderate

Explanation

  1. The bill is meant to upgrade the Backward Classes Commission from a statutory body to a constitutional body.
  2. The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017, providing for setting up of a National Commission for Backward Classes, is passed by the Rajya Sabha and Lok sabha awaiting the President’s assent.
  3. Functions:  Under the Constitution Amendment Bill, the duties of the NCBC will include: (i) investigating and monitoring how safeguards provided to the backward classes under the Constitution and other laws are being implemented, (ii) inquiring into specific complaints regarding violation of rights, and (iii) advising and making recommendations on socio-economic development of such classes.  The central and state governments will be required to consult with the NCBC on all major policy matters affecting the socially and educationally backward classes.
  4. The NCBC will be required to present annual reports to the President on working of the safeguards for backward classes.  These reports will be tabled in Parliament, and in the state legislative assemblies of the concerned states..
Question 4. Which of the following statements is/are provisions found in the Whistleblowers 
Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015?
  1. It prohibits disclosures to be made if they are covered by the Official Secrets Act, 1923
  2. It prohibits the reporting of a corruption-related disclosure if it falls under certain prohibited categories which are modelled on those under the RTI Act

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
See
Answer


 (c)

Topic: Polity
Level: Moderate

Explanation

The amendment Bill seeks to remove immunity provided to whistle-blowers from prosecution under the draconian Official Secrets Act (OSA) for disclosures made under the WBP law. Offences under the OSA are punishable by imprisonment of up to 14 years. Threat of such stringent penalties would deter even genuine whistle-blowers. The basic purpose of the WBP Act is to encourage people to report wrongdoing. If whistle-blowers are prosecuted for disclosing information as part of their complaints and not granted immunity from the OSA, the very purpose of the law would be defeated.

The amendment bill tries to bring the WBP act in line with the RTI Act. The amendments ignore the fact that the two laws have completely different objectives. The RTI Act seeks to provide information to people, while the WBP Act provides a mechanism for disclosures to be made to competent authorities within the government to enable inquiry into allegations of corruption and provide protection to whistle-blowers.

Question 5. The 2017 session of the “IAS Conference” is being held in Paris, France. 
This conference is related to which one of the following subjects/issues?
  1. Administration
  2. HIV/AIDS
  3. Antarctic Ice Melt
  4. Solar flares
See
Answer


 (b)

Topic: Current Affairs
Level: Moderate

Explanation

‘IAS’ stands for ‘International Aids Society’

A nine-year-old infected with HIV at birth has spent most of its life without needing any treatment, say doctors in South Africa.

In the news: The results of this case are being presented at the IAS Conference on HIV Science.

Question 6. Which among the following vaccines come under Penatavalent vaccine?
  1. Diphtheria, Pertussis or whooping cough, tetanus, Hepatitis B and Hib vaccines.
  2. Diphtheria, Pertussis/whooping cough ,polio), Hepatitis B and Hib vaccines.
  3. Diphtheria, Pertussis/whooping cough and tetanus), Hepatitis C and Hib vaccines.
  4. Diphtheria, Pertussis/whooping cough and tetanus), Hepatitis A and Hib vaccines.
See
Answer


 (a)

Topic: Current Affair
Level: Moderate

Explanation

Pentavalent vaccine- The pentavalent vaccine is a combination of DPT (diphtheria, Pertussis/whooping cough and tetanus), Hepatitis B and Hib vaccines. DPT and Hepatitis B vaccines are already a part of the immunisation programme. They are being replaced by pentavalent vaccine in a phased manner in the country.

Question 7. Consider the following statement with reference to Egyptian vultures, 
which was in news recently:
  1. It is the largest among all the vultures.
  2. It is an endangered species as per IUCN’s Red data book.
  3. It is also called as white scavengers

Choose the correct answer.

  1. 1 only
  2. 1 and 3 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. All are correct
See
Answer


 (c)

Topic: Environment and Ecology
Level: Moderate

Explanation

Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus) are also called white scavenger vulture or pharaoh’s chicken and are the smallest among all vultures. They are a globally endangered species on the IUCN Red List.

Question 8. Consider the following statements with reference to Bele-II experiment 
which was in news recently:
  1. Belle-II is designed to study violations of the Standard Model of particle physics.
  2. Belle-II experiment is being conducted at IISC ,Bangalore

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
See
Answer


 (a)

Topic: Science and Technology
Level: Moderate

Explanation

  • The High Energy Accelerator Research Organisation (KEK) completed the much-awaited ‘rolling-in’ of the Belle-II experiment in Tsukuba, Japan.
  • Belle-II is designed to study violations of the Standard Model of particle physics..
 

 

G. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

GS Paper II
  1. In 2013, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court upheld Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which discriminates against a section of individuals in society on the basis of their sexual orientation, so is it against the essence of Article 15 of the constitution? Examine.
  2. Is Chinese plan of “BRICS PLUS” a major challenge to India? Discuss.

 

GS Paper IV

Topic: CASE STUDY ANALYSIS

Question 1.

As a DM of a home district of serving Chief Minister, you find out that a huge land scam has taken place in which close relatives of the Chief Minister are involved. The scam which you have unearthed has caused lots of financial loss to the state’s exchequer. You have been recently married to a daughter of an MLA who is known as staunch political enemy of the CM.

While you are investigating the matter for further proofs, before you make this issue public, the CM comes to know about this. He threatens you with dire consequences if you do not close the file and bury the matter silently. He threatens you with false criminal cases and CBI investigation in case you do not budge. Unfortunately, a case is pending against you regarding misuse of treasury funds, in which you haven’t done anything wrong. This case can be reopened and used against you. However, if you stop investigation, he has assured you that you will be given a plum post in the capital.

Identify which course of action are available to you. Examine each action’s merits and demerits. Finally, explain which course of action would you follow and why?

Answer:

In this situation, the following options are available:

  1. Acting as per the directions of the CM and close the file in return for the plum job and to avoid investigation
  2. Carry on with the investigation to find substantiate proofs to the issue which caused loss to the exchequer. Upholding the law and constitution to which i owe my allegiance.
  3. Use my father-in-law’s position to expose the current CM and share the gain of this expose with my father-in-law.
  4. Report the matter in media anonymously.

Option 1

Merits:

  1. Plum post will be rewarded 2. Will be freed from the threat of CM and career will be safe

Demerits:

  1. Loss to the state exchequer and ultimate sufferer would be public
  2. Subversion of constitutionally mandated duty for the personal benefit
  3. public image and trust will be lost

Option 2

Merits:

  1. upholding personal integrity,objectivity, honesty, spirit of civil service
  2. unearthing such act would cause deleterious effect on others who may be indulged in similar other activities
  3. bringing such issue before the public will improve trust and confidence between state machinery and public.
  4. Send a strong message to the political class that honest civil servant would not succumb to their pressure tactics.

Demerits:

  1. Lot of personal hardship caused in the process including false CBI inquiry.
  2. Putting life and family in jeopardy.

Course of action to be followed:

I would choose option 2. Investigation would be carried out as usual. Meanwhile

CM should be told politely but firmly that I am performing my constitutionally mandated duties and I have no option to Go.

There is a possibility that CM’s party workers would spread message that MLA is playing vendetta politics through his in-law. So sound proofs before the public are necessary to avoid any backfire.

If CM, in the meanwhile starts any CBI investigation on my any past acts, I would welcome that as I have not done anything wrong. Even Government suspends, I would cooperate with the enquiry to prove my innocence. If necessary I would move to court for protection against harassment.

But in no case, I would close the file to avoid any personal hardship to my career and my family as it would amount to compromising on my values and ethics which civil service holds.

 

Also, check previous Daily News Analysis

 

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