. Neha, an IAS officer, is serving as the District Magistrate (DM) of a bustling metropolitan district. Among her wide-ranging responsibilities, she also oversees the functioning of the Municipal Sanitation Department, which employs hundreds of sanitation workers, drivers, and daily wage laborers responsible for keeping the city clean and waste-free. One morning, a disturbing case landed on Neha’s desk. Rajiv, a municipal garbage truck driver, died following a violent street altercation while on duty. On that day, Rajiv was driving his garbage collection truck through a crowded market street. He got into a heated argument with a street vendor who had encroached upon the road, obstructing the truck’s passage. Eyewitness reports aiid CCTV footage revealed that Rajiv, known for his short temper, started the verbal abuse, which escalated into a physical fight. Despite bystanders trying to intervene, the scuffle turned bloody. Both Rajiv and the vendor were hospitalized with serious injuries. Rajiv succumbed to a head injury later that night, while the vendor survived. A police investigation and the Municipai Sanitation Department’s inquiry confirmed that Rajiv’s death resulted from his own misconduct and violent behavior while on duty. A post-mortem report further revealed that Rajiv had consumed alcohol while on duty and was under the influence at the time of the altercation, which is a clear violation of service rules that strictly prohibit drinking during work hours, especially for drivers operating municipal vehicles. According to the department’s standing rules, extra ex-gratia compensation and family employment are given only in cases of death caused by workplace accidents or occupational hazards, not deaths resulting from personal fights, gross misconduct, or negligence such as working under the influence of alcohol. However, Rajiv’s death left behind a dependent family: his elderly parents, his wife, and two children, one in college, the other in high school. His wife and children, shattered by his sudden death, argue that Rajiv died during duty hours and the family must not be punished for his mistake. The Sanitation Workers’ Union has taken up the issue aggressively, demanding the same full ex-gratia compensation that is given to other drivers who dieon duty, plus a permanent government job for Rajiv’s elder son. When the department refused, citing the clear rule violation, the union declared an indefinite strike, bringing garbage collection to a standstill. The strike has now entered its tenth day, and the city’s streets are overflowing with waste, creating serious health and public order concerns. Neha is under pressure to resolve the crisis while balancing legal norms, humanitarian concerns, and public interest. (a) Evaluate each option with its merits and demerits available to Neha. (b) If you were in Neha’s position, what decision would you take? Justify your decision with appropriate ethical reasoning and principles. (c) What steps can Neha take to prevent similar incidents and ethical conflicts in the future in the Municipal Sanitation Department?

Topper: Sandeep Badad · AIR 82 · 2025 · Page 41