You are Raghav, the Municipal Commissioner of a rapidly growing urban city in India. Over the past few years, the city has seen an influx of development projects, including infrastructure, housing, and commercial complexes.

Q10. You are Raghav, the Municipal Commissioner of a rapidly growing urban city in India. Over the past few years, the city has seen an influx of development projects, including infrastructure, housing, and commercial complexes. While the expansion has significantly boosted the city’s economy, it has also led to numerous legal challenges related to land acquisition, environmental clearances, and unauthorized constructions. Recently, you received a report from the local legal team highlighting several violations of urban planning laws and building codes in the construction of a new high-rise complex in a prime location of the city. The complex, financed by a well-known real estate developer, has already completed 70% of its construction. However, it is discovered that environmental clearance was bypassed, and several building safety regulations were overlooked. The developer, having strong political and business connections, approaches you with an offer of substantial monetary gain to allow the project to continue without delay. Simultaneously, the local community raises concerns about the safety of the building and its impact on the environment. The media has also begun to investigate the project, putting pressure on the administration. As the Municipal Commissioner, your responsibility is to uphold the rule of law and ensure that all projects comply with legal and environmental regulations. However, you also face immense pressure from powerful stakeholders who are keen on completing the project.

Identify the key stakeholders in the case.

• What ethical issues and legal principles are being challenged in this case?

• How do you balance economic development with legal and environmental responsibilities?

• What steps would you take to ensure that the rule of law is followed in the development of this project and future ones? [20M]

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Why the question: PYQ modeled case study covering the rule of law theme. Key Demand of the question: To write about stakeholders and ethical issues, then explain how to balance economic development with legal and environmental responsibility and explain steps that you would take to ensure the rule of law. Structure of the answer: Introduction: Start with the nuances of the case study. Body: First, identify stakeholders and explain the ethical issues involved in the case. Explain how to balance economic development with legal and environmental responsibility. Then explain what step you would take to ensure the rule of law is followed. Conclusion: Conclude by summarising.

Why the question:

PYQ modeled case study covering the rule of law theme.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about stakeholders and ethical issues, then explain how to balance economic development with legal and environmental responsibility and explain steps that you would take to ensure the rule of law.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Start with the nuances of the case study.

Body:

• First, identify stakeholders and explain the ethical issues involved in the case.

• Explain how to balance economic development with legal and environmental responsibility.

• Then explain what step you would take to ensure the rule of law is followed.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.