You are heading a district administration in a particular department. Your senior officer calls you from the State Headquarters and tells you that a plot in Rampur village is to have a building constructed on it for a school. A visit is scheduled during which he will visit the site along with the chief engineer and the senior architect. He wants you to check out all the papers relating to it and to ensure that the visit is properly arranged. You examine the file which relates to the period before you joined the department. The land was acquired from the local Panchayat at a nominal cost and the papers show that clearance certificates are available from two of the three authorities who have to certify the site’s suitability. There is no certification by the architect available on file. You decide to visit Rampur to ensure that all is in order as stated on file. When you visit Rampur, you find that the plot under reference is part of Thakurgarh Fort and that the walls, ramparts, etc., are running across it. The fort is well away from the main village, therefore a school here will be a serious inconvenience for the children. However, the area near the village has the potential to expand into a larger residential area. The development charges on the existing plot, at the fort, will be very high and the question of the heritage site has not been addressed. Moreover, the Sarpanch, at the time of acquisition of the land, was a relative of your predecessor. The whole transaction appears to have been done with some vested interest.

a.List the likely vested interests of the concerned parties.

b. Some of the options for action available to you are listed below. Discuss the merits and demerits of each of the options: (i) You can await the visit of the superior officer and let him make a decision. (ii) You can seek his advice in writing or on the phone. (ii) You can consult your predecessor/colleagues, etc., and then decide what to do. (iv) You can find out if any alternate plot can be got in exchange and then send a comprehensive written report. Can you suggest any other option with proper justification? (250 words) [UPSC 2015]

Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction

• Context: Describe the situation regarding the plot acquisition for a school in Rampur village, located within Thakurgarh Fort.
• Thesis Statement: Highlight the need to address irregularities and vested interests surrounding the land acquisition.

2. A. Likely Vested Interests of Concerned Parties

1. Local Panchayat Members:
   • Potential financial gain from the sale or development of the land.
2. Predecessor:
   • Personal relationships influencing the acquisition process, potentially leading to conflicts of interest.
3. Developers/Contractors:
   • Interest in high development charges due to construction on a heritage site, benefiting financially.
4. Politicians:
   • Desire to gain popularity through local development projects without considering the community’s best interests.

3. B. Options for Action

(i) Await the Visit of the Superior Officer

• Pros: Allows the officer to assess the situation firsthand and relieve you of immediate decision-making.
• Cons: Risks ignoring critical issues, such as inconvenience to children and heritage site concerns.

(ii) Seek Advice from the Superior Officer

• Pros: Clarifies the situation and aligns actions with higher authority’s directives.
• Cons: May not fully address the fort’s concerns and children’s safety.

(iii) Consult Your Predecessor/Colleagues

• Pros: Gains insights into prior transactions and potential vested interests.
• Cons: Opinions may be biased, failing to address fundamental issues adequately.

(iv) Find an Alternate Plot and Send a Comprehensive Report

• Pros: Addresses community needs, fort preservation, and high development charges.
• Cons: Finding suitable land may be complex and time-consuming.

(v) Suggest an Independent Investigation

• Pros: Provides an unbiased assessment of the situation, uncovering hidden agendas and promoting transparency.
• Cons: Requires additional resources and time, and may face resistance from involved parties.

4. Relevant Facts and Sources

• Heritage Preservation: The UNESCO World Heritage Committee emphasizes the importance of protecting heritage sites from inappropriate development (UNESCO, 2019).
• Conflict of Interest: Studies show that personal relationships can significantly influence local governance and land acquisition processes (Bardach & Patashnik, 2016).

5. Conclusion

• Summary: Recap the potential vested interests and evaluate the options, emphasizing the need for transparency and community welfare in decision-making. The independent investigation is recommended for a thorough understanding of the situation.