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250 Words20 Marks

Q.Rampura, a remote district inhabited by a tribal population, is marked by extreme backwardness and abject poverty. Agriculture is the mainstay of the local population, though it is primarily subsistence due to the very small landholdings. There is insignificant industrial or mining activity. Even the targeted welfare programs have inadequately benefited the tribal population. In this restrictive scenario, the youth has begun to migrate to other states to supplement the family income. Plight of minor girls is that their parents are persuaded by labour contractors to send them to work in the Bt Cotton farms of a nearby state. The soft fingers of the minor girls are well suited for plucking the cotton. The inadequate living and working conditions in these farms have caused serious health issues for the minor girls. NGOs in the districts of domicile and the cotton farms appear to be compromised and have not effectively espoused the twin issues of child labour and development of the area. You are appointed as the District Collector of Rampura. Identify the ethical issues involved. Which specific steps will you initiate to ameliorate the conditions of minor girls of your district and to improve the overall economic scenario in the district?

UPSC Mains 2020•Ethics & Integrity

Model Answer

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Syllabus Point

  • Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, Determinants and Consequences of Ethics in human actions.
  • Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration.

Introduction

This case study is about addressing the severe issues of child labor, exploitation, and economic backwardness in Rampura, a remote district inhabited by a tribal population. As the newly appointed District Collector, you are tasked with tackling these ethical challenges and improving the overall economic scenario in the district.

Body

Stakeholders Involved

  • Minor Girls (Child Labourers)
  • Parents and Families of the Minor Girls
  • Labour Contractors
  • Local Agricultural Workers
  • NGOs and Civil Society Organizations
  • State and Central Government Agencies
  • Local Community Leaders and Tribal Councils
  • Educational Institutions
  • Healthcare Providers
  • Businesses and Industrial Entities

Ethical Issues Involved

  • Child Labor: Exploitation of minor girls in hazardous agricultural work, violating their fundamental rights and depriving them of education.
  • Vulnerability and Poverty: Extreme poverty forcing parents to send their children to work, highlighting the lack of viable livelihood options.
  • Compromised Institutions: Failure of local NGOs and authorities to protect vulnerable children and address development needs.
  • Health and Well-being: Inadequate living and working conditions causing severe health issues for the minor girls.
  • Lack of Development: Insignificant economic activity and ineffective welfare programs, leading to distress migration.

Specific Steps to Ameliorate Conditions of Minor Girls

  • Rescue and Rehabilitation:
    • Collaborate with neighboring state authorities to rescue minor girls from Bt Cotton farms.
    • Provide immediate medical care, counseling, and rehabilitation support.
  • Education and Skill Development:
    • Enroll rescued girls in local schools or residential schools (e.g., Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas).
    • Provide vocational training and skill development programs to empower them for future opportunities.
  • Strict Legal Action:
    • Register cases against labor contractors under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act and other relevant laws.
    • Blacklist compromised NGOs and take legal action against complicit individuals.
  • Awareness and Community Mobilization:
    • Conduct awareness campaigns on the evils of child labor and the importance of education.
    • Engage tribal leaders and local communities to prevent child exploitation.

Steps to Improve the Overall Economic Scenario

  • Promoting Sustainable Agriculture:
    • Introduce modern farming techniques, high-yielding crop varieties, and micro-irrigation to improve subsistence agriculture.
    • Promote organic farming and horticulture to enhance farmers' income.
  • Livelihood Diversification:
    • Encourage non-farm activities such as animal husbandry, poultry, and apiculture.
    • Promote self-help groups (SHGs) and provide microfinance support for micro-enterprises.
  • Infrastructure Development:
    • Improve road connectivity, electricity, and drinking water facilities to attract investment.
    • Establish local processing units for agricultural and forest produce to create employment.
  • Effective Implementation of Welfare Schemes:
    • Ensure transparent and efficient delivery of targeted welfare programs (e.g., MGNREGA, PDS).
    • Conduct regular social audits to prevent corruption and leakages.

Conclusion

Addressing the plight of minor girls and fostering sustainable development in Rampura requires a multi-pronged approach rooted in ethical principles. By prioritizing human rights, promoting transparency, and empowering local communities, we can create a more just and equitable future for the tribal population.

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