It is a State where prohibition is in force. You are recently appointed as the Superintendent of Police of a district notorious for illicit distillation of liquor. The illicit liquor leads to many death, reported and unreported, and causes a major problem for the district authorities.The approach till now had been to view it as a law and order problem and tackle it accordingly. Raids, arrest, police cases, and criminal trials – all these had only limited impact. The problem remains as serious as ever.Your inspections show that the parts of the district where the distillation flourishes are economically, industrially and educationally backward. Agriculture is badly affected by poor irrigation facilities. Frequent clashes among communities gave boost to illicit distillation. No major initiatives had taken place in the past either from the government’s side or from social organizations to improve the lot of the people. Which new approach will you adopt to bring the problem under control? (250 words)

Ethics

Ethics: Case Study

2018

20 Marks

The case presents a complex socio-economic challenge where illicit liquor distillation persists despite traditional law enforcement approaches, causing deaths and social disruption in economically backward areas. This highlights the inadequacy of purely punitive measures in addressing deep-rooted developmental issues.

Stakeholders

Primary: Local communities, illicit distillers, victims' families, district administration
Secondary: State government, NGOs, agricultural departments, educational institutions

New Approach to Address Illicit Distillation

Shift from Punitive to Developmental Strategy

Adopt community policing model focusing on trust-building rather than adversarial enforcement
Implement restorative justice mechanisms involving community elders and local leaders
Establish regular dialogue platforms between police and affected communities

Economic Rehabilitation Measures

Launch alternative livelihood programs under MGNREGA for those involved in distillation
Facilitate skill development initiatives through partnerships with industrial training institutes
Promote micro-credit schemes for small-scale entrepreneurship and agricultural improvements
Coordinate with irrigation department for watershed development projects to address agricultural distress

Social Integration Initiatives

Organize inter-community harmony programs to reduce clashes that fuel illegal activities
Establish community vigilance committees with representatives from all groups
Implement awareness campaigns highlighting health hazards of illicit liquor consumption

Multi-stakeholder Coordination

Create district-level task force involving police, revenue, health, and education departments
Partner with NGOs and self-help groups for grassroots implementation
Engage panchayati raj institutions for sustainable community ownership

Monitoring and Evaluation

Establish regular review mechanisms with measurable indicators beyond arrest statistics
Focus on reduction in deaths and health incidents as primary success metrics
Implement feedback systems from community representatives

This holistic approach addresses root causes while maintaining necessary enforcement, ensuring sustainable solutions through community participation and developmental interventions.

Answer Length

Model answers may exceed the word limit for better clarity and depth. Use them as a guide, but always frame your final answer within the exam’s prescribed limit.

In just 60 sec