ETHICS GS IV ::13-JULY-2019: SECTION B

Q1. You are a Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) in an urban district. The forest cover in the district is as low as 11% and it needs to be increased as per government guidelines. By ecological and environmental perspective also it is imperative that more trees should be planted. However, you find out that while there is a grant of Rs. 1.5 crore for your division to plant trees under the Hariyali Scheme, most of this fund is lying unused. Since, it is December and as per government rules all the unused grant should be returned to the government as the financial year closes, it seems you will have to return the money completely. Also, there are strong indications from the ministry that government is mulling over a budgetary cut on Hariyali mission because most of the funds go unused. There is a strong possibility that if you return the money in this financial year you won’t get it in the next financial year and even if you get, it will be a very insignificant amount.

Indicate various options that you think are available in this situation. Evaluate these options and choose the most appropriate path to be adopted? (20 marks)