Intro –
- This case study represents the ethical dilemmas of development (Chemical production) vs conservation (Saving polluting rivers), Professional life (Integrity at Job) vs personal life (taking care of ailing parents and siblings), and Social ethics (Saving villagers downstream) vs economic ethics (Saving job).
- Recently, NGT passed an order over the deteriorating condition of river stretches across the country due to the dumping of hazardous chemicals.
- Ignoring the health of the river and villagers, violates the constitutional ethics as dictated in Articles 48A (environmental protection) and Article 21 (Right to life) respectively
Stakeholders – Engineering graduate, Villagers downstream, River, Colleagues, Seniors, Family members, Myself
- My arguments –
- Against the voice of conscience [Clear conscience is the softest pillow]
- Against the constitutional ethics [Vilation of Article 21 – Right to life of villagers and A 48A – Duty of the state for environmental protection]
- Violation of values like accountability (towards her duty), empathy (towards villagers), humanity (Loss of lives due to toxic chemicals), justice and other human values
- Violates the principles of environmental ethics and biochemical ethics (Safe disposal of hazardous waste)
- Would set a bad precedent and hence a bad work culture
- Against the philosophy of โSarve bhavantu sukhin, Surve santu niramayaโ
- Advised course of action and why –
- Gather enough tangible evidence of dumping (Like photographs, Water samples, satellite images, etc) – This would help her prove the point even in court
- Contacting the village doctor or PHC (Primary health center) to gather data about health problems
- Taking Colleagues into confidence and convincing them to stand for the truth
- Awareness among villagers [Through third party] for the wrong that is happening
- Informing the seniors about the same and then noticing their response. She might get some supportive senior
- Meanwhile, apply for an alternative job and works on skill development so that she has an extra jon in her hand and hence take care of her dependent family
- Be well-read about Whistleblowers Protection Act 2011
By not giving in to the pressure of the company management and at the same time taking care of the family, she sincerely follows her Swadharma as told by Lord Krishna in Geeta.
| Aspect | Instrumental Rationality Alone | With Value Rationality |
| Decision Criterion | Cost-benefit analysis, efficiency metricsEx – Swachh Survekshan rankings drive competitive efficiency among municipalities | Ethical principles, Constitutional moralityEx – Bona fide action during emergencies – COVID-19 relief distribution bypassing protocols for public welfare |
| Outcome | Optimal resource use but potential injusticeEx – Apartheid system in South Africa was efficiently administered but fundamentally unjust | Sustainable, equitable development |
| Example | Forced eviction with minimal cost | Rehabilitation with dignity (LARR Act 2013) |
| Philosophical Basis | Bentham’s quantitative utilitarianism | Mill’s qualitative utilitarianism, Kant’s deontology |
| Administrative Impact | Red tape prevention but risk of authoritarianism | Balanced governance with public trust |
As Mahatma Gandhi and Amartya Sen argued, both rationalities are complementary –
- Value rationality without efficiency becomes utopian and unsustainable
- Instrumental rationality without values creates the Iron Cage problem
Hence following Aristotle’s mean path, continuous scrutiny of both means (Value rationality) and ends (Instrumental rationality) is required.
This case study presents the dilemma of economic development (Industry) vs sustainability (Judicious use of water) as well as public trust (Farmers perception of bias).
Stakeholders –
| District Collector | Farmers | Industrial units |
| Local population (drinking water needs) | Government (state & central) | Laborers dependent on industries |
| Environmental/ecological interests | Media and civil society |
(a) Options available –
- Ignoring the farmers interest – This would amount to further distrust among farmers and public agitation
- Shutting down the industries for temporary period – Show-cause notice to industries = Unemployed youth might create nuisance, not a long term solution
- Ignoring the bribe allegation by the farmers – Violation of principle of natural justice (As both side are not being heard)
- Showcasing of ethical values like Empathy, Fairness, commitment to public good and public trust –
- Having a detailed conversation with the farmers delegation and assuring them of right action
- Immediate press meet to clarify that the administration is neutral, transparent, and acting fairly
- Showcasing of Administrative values like Accountability, transparency and equity – Appointing an audit officer for industrial water uses, showing the reports to farmers delegation and ensuring that farmers have equal right on water as industries
- Solving the ethical dilemmas of economic vs environmental interest – consultation with technical bodies to adapt best agriculture and industrial practice for judicious use of water like precision agriculture, micro irrigation etc
(b) Suitable actions –
Short term actions –
- Take legal advice to impose water usage caps for the time being so that neither industries need to shut down, nor farmers are completely stopped
- Geeta โ Duty must be done regardless of fear or opposition
- Allow controlled irrigation for farmers using drip irrigation and other micro-irrigation methods
- John Rawls โ Fair distribution of resources
- Activate CSR: Encourage industries to fund water tankers or alternate irrigation methods for farmers
- Jeremy Bentham โ Greatest good for the greatest number
- Deploy water tankers or borewells in critically affected areas
- Fair and independent investigation into allegations of bribery or selective enforcement
Long term –
- Digital water monitoring system to monitor extraction by all stakeholders
- Form โJoint Water Councilsโ including farmers, industrial reps & civil society to ensure participation
- Industrial recycling mandates to reduce dependency on fresh water
- Use of geospatial tools to identify sustainable water sources for farming
- Incentivize crop-switching towards less water-intensive crops with MSP assurance
(c) Potential administrative and ethical dilemmas –
- Sustainability vs economy/development –
- Sustainability – Complete control on water use for the time being
- Economy – Undisturbed supply of water to industries
- Short-term populism vs long-term governance –
- Short term populism – Allowing water use for farmers and industrial needs
- Long term governance – Devising a futuristic mechanism to solve the problem
- Principle vs preservation –
- Principle – Applying the law of the land, strict measures to control water use
- Preservation – Relaxation to use water for basic needs like drinking, farming etc
- Profit vs Social responsibility –
- Profit – undisturbed Industrial work
- Social responsibility – Ensuring the water availability for drinking and farming
- Preferential treatment vs non discrimination
- Preferential treatment – Allowing water use for industries
- Non discrimination – Taking measures to stop water use for all
The role of a public servant is not to please one section, but to uphold rule of law, equity, and sustainability. By combining legal tools, emotional intelligence, transparency, and visionary thinking, the crisis can be converted into an ethical leadership
