Q. With the summer heat being exceptionally severe this year, the district has been facing severe water shortage.
The District Collector has been mobilizing his subordinate officials to conserve the remaining water reserves for preventing the district from plunging into acute drinking water crisis. Along with an awareness campaign for conserving water, strict measures have been taken for stopping the over-exploitation of ground-water. Vigilance teams have been deployed to tour the villages and find the farmers who are drawing water from deep borewells or from the river reservoir for irrigation. The farmers are agitated by such action. A delegation of farmers meets the District Collector with their issues and complains that while they are not being allowed to irrigate their crops, big industries located near the river are drawing huge amounts of water through deep borewells for their industrial processes. The farmers allege that their administration is anti-farmer and corrupt, being bribed by the industry. The district needs to placate the farmers as they are threatening to go on a prolonged protest. At the same time, the District Collector has to deal with the water crisis. The industry cannot be closed as this would result in a large number of workers being unemployed.
a) Discuss all options available to the District Collector as a District Magistrate.
b) What suitable actions can be taken in view of mutually compatible interests of the stakeholders?
c) What are the potential administrative and ethical dilemmas for the District Collector?
UPSC Mains 2024 GS4 Ethics Paper
Model Answer:
The District Collector faces a complex situation balancing water conservation, agricultural needs, and industrial interests.
a) Options available to the District Collector:
• Implement equitable water rationing for both agriculture and industry.
• Negotiate with industries to reduce water consumption and adopt efficient practices.
• Explore alternative water sources such as rainwater harvesting and wastewater treatment.
• Mediate between farmers and industries to find a mutually acceptable compromise.
• Seek state government support for additional resources or policy interventions.
• Intensify awareness campaigns on water conservation among all stakeholders.
b) Suitable actions considering stakeholders’ interests:
• Establish a fair water allocation system based on critical needs and usage efficiency.
• Incentivize water-saving technologies in both agriculture and industry.
• Promote crop diversification to less water-intensive varieties.
• Form a multi-stakeholder committee for transparent decision-making on water management.
• Invest in long-term water management infrastructure to enhance storage and distribution.
• Conduct regular audits of industrial water use to ensure compliance with agreed-upon limits.
c) Administrative and ethical dilemmas:
• Balancing economic interests of agriculture and industry with overall public welfare.
• Addressing corruption allegations while maintaining administrative integrity and public trust.
• Managing the immediate water crisis while planning for long-term water security.
• Upholding legal responsibilities while considering social justice and equitable resource distribution.
• Navigating political pressures and public expectations in a high-stakes situation.
• Deciding on punitive measures for non-compliance while maintaining social harmony.
The District Collector must prioritize impartial decision-making, considering both immediate needs and long-term sustainability. Transparent communication with all stakeholders is crucial to build trust and cooperation.
Conclusion: The situation demands a balanced approach prioritizing public welfare, equitable resource distribution, and long-term water security through collaborative efforts.
