You are the District Magistrate of a drought-affected district. The state government has issued a strict vulnerability-based priority list for dispatching emergency water tankers. An influential local politician demands that you immediately divert three tankers to a neighborhood where his primary supporters reside, which is currently classified as 'low priority' based on objective hydrological data. The politician threatens to mobilize a massive protest blocking the main district highway, which would paralyze the movement of all relief convoys, if his demand is not met. What is the most appropriate administrative action in this situation?
- Firmly deny the request citing the objective priority list, officially inform the state control room about the highway threat, and arrange preventive police deployment along the relief convoy routes.Answer
- BDivert one tanker to the requested neighborhood as a strategic compromise to ensure that the remaining relief convoys can travel safely without facing highway blockades.
- COrder the immediate preventive detention of the politician to ensure the relief operations can proceed smoothly without any political interference.
- DTemporarily halt the movement of all relief convoys across the district to ensure the safety of the staff until a formal negotiation is concluded with the politician.
Answer
Firmly deny the request citing the objective priority list, officially inform the state control room about the highway threat, and arrange preventive police deployment along the relief convoy routes.
The correct answer demonstrates administrative fortitude and adherence to objective, data-driven protocols. By refusing the coercive demand, the administrator upholds fairness. By arranging police deployment and informing the state control room, the administrator addresses the threat of disruption proportionally and legally, ensuring the relief effort continues safely.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Situational Ethics and Administrative Dilemmas