General Studies 4 - Page 13 of 18

There is a view that the official secrets act is an obstacle to the implementation of the Rights to Information act. Do you agree with the view? Discuss (150 words)

The Official Secrets Act (OSA) was enacted in 1923 to safeguard sensitive government information from unauthorized disclosure. The Right to Information Act (RTI) was enacted…

Explain the basic principles of citizens’ charter movement and bring out its importance. (150 words)

The citizens’ charter is a document that lays down the expectations and standards of services provided by an organization to its citizens. It is a…

What is meant by constitutional morality? How does one uphold constitutional morality? (150 words)

Constitutional morality refers to the adherence to the principles and values enshrined in the constitution, which forms the basis of the social contract between citizens…

“Non-performance of duty by a public servant is a form of corruption” Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer (150words)

I agree with the view that non-performance of duty by a public servant is a form of corruption. Corruption can be defined as the abuse…

Effective utilisation of public funds is crucial to meet development goals. Critically e examine the reasons for under-utilization and mis-utilisation of public funds and their implications. (150 words).

Effective utilization of public funds is essential for achieving development goals and promoting social welfare. However, under-utilization and mis-utilization of public funds are significant challenges…

What do you understand by the term ‘public servant’? Reflect on the expected role of a public servant. (150 words).

A public servant is an individual who holds a public office and is responsible for serving the public interest. Public servants work in a variety…

What are the basic principles of public life? Illustrate any three of these with suitable examples. (150 words)

The basic principles of public life are ethical values and standards that guide the behavior of public officials and public servants. These principles are fundamental…

Edward Snowden, a computer expert and former CIA administrator, released confidential Government documents to the press about the existence of Government surveillance programmes. According to many legal experts and the US Government, his action violated the Espionage act of 1971, which identified the leak of State secret as an act of treason. Yet, despite the fact that he broke the law, Snowden argued that he had a moral obligation to act. He gave a justification for his “whistle blowing” by stating that he had a duty “to inform the public as to that which is done in there name and that which is done against them.”
According to Snowden, the Government’s violation of privacy had to be exposed regardless of legality since more substantive issues of social action and public morality were involved here. Many agreed with Snowden. Few argued that he broke the law and compromised national security, for which he should be held accountable.
Do you agree that Snowden’s actions were ethically justified even if legally prohibited? Why or why not? Make an argument by weighing the competing values in this case (250 words )

Edward Snowden’s decision to release confidential Government documents about the existence of Government surveillance programmes is a complex ethical dilemma that involves competing values such…

Dr X is a leading medical practitioner in a city. He has set up a charitable trust through which he plans to establish a super-speciality hospital in the city to cater to the medical needs of all sections of the society. Incidentally, that part of the State had been neglected over the years. The proposed hospital would be a boon for the region.
You are heading the tax investigation agency of that region. During an inspection of the doctor’s clinic, your officers have found out some major irregularities. A few of them are substantial which had resulted in considerable withholding of tax that should be paid by him now. The doctor is cooperative. He undertakes to pay the tax immediately.
However, there are certain other deficiencies in his tax compliance which are purely technical in nature. If these technical defaults are pursued by the agency, considerable time and energy of the doctor will be diverted to issues which are not so serious, urgent or even helpful to the tax collection process. Further, in all probability, it will hamper the prospects of the hospital coming up.
There are two options before you:
1) Taking a broader view, ensure substantial tax compliance and ignore defaults that are merely technical in nature.
2) Pursue the matter strictly and proceed on all fronts,whether substantial or merely technical.
As the head of the tax agency, which course of action will you opt and why? (250 words)

As the head of the tax investigation agency, I would opt for the first option of taking a broader view and ensuring substantial tax compliance…