Multiple choice

You are the regional head of a NGO which specialises in environmental audit. A field report on environmental compliance by power generation plants shows that many coal fired plants which are under governmental control are grossly violating the pollution norms. Your team had been threatened by some government officials not to go public with your report, otherwise they would recommend cancellation of registration of the NGO. Besides they would influence the government laboratories to submit a favourable report which would refute findings of the NGO’s report. This would raise serious doubts about the credibility of the NGO. In such a situation you would

  1. Dilute the findings of your report and place the blame for pollution on old machinery and lack of finances for the power plants

  2. Go ahead with your report as it is and make it public (viz. disclose its findings to media)

  3. Seek confirmation of your findings from another NGO engaged in similar work and then go public

  4. Submit a copy of your report to the Ministry of Environment/Department concerned of the Government; wait for their response for a reasonable period of time and then go public
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

2.5 marks for Option (d) 1.5 marks for Option (c) 1 mark for Option (b) 0 marks for Option (a) Rationale/ Reasoning (d) Option (d) is the best course of action. It is important to bring the matter in public domain. But it is also proper and fair that before doing so the government department concerned is given an opportunity to examine the report and take corrective actions immediately. Eventually, the purpose of making the report public would be to put pressure on government to rectify things. Besides, by not giving the government an opportunity to examine the report, the NGO may be accused of bias and sensationalism. Giving this opportunity would also be in consonance with principles of natural justice. (c) Seeking confirmation of the report from another NGO (Option (c)) would help to cross check the findings. But the lacunae as highlighted above would still remain. (b) Going public without confronting the government (Option (b)) with findings is improper for reasons stated above. (a) Diluting the report (Option (a)) would be succumbing to pressure and would be most inappropriate. Principle/ Value Tested Discharging one’s social duties without fear Belief in fair play and natural justice

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