UPSC Prelims 2011·CSAT·Decision Making·Administrative Scenarios

Each item describes a situation and is followed by four possible responses. Indicate the response you find most appropriate. Choose only one response for each item. The responses will be evaluated based on the level of appropriateness for the given situation You have taken up a project to create night-shelters for homeless people during the winter season. Within a week of establishing the shelters, you have received complaints from the residents of the area about the increase in theft cases with a demand to remove the shelters. You would

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. Aask them to lodge a written complaint in the police station
  2. Bassure residents of an enquiry into the matterCorrect
  3. Cask residents to consider the humanitarian effort made
  4. Dcontinue with the project and ignore their complaint.

Explanation

The correct answer is B because it demonstrates responsible leadership and a balanced approach. Analysis of options: A) ask them to lodge a written complaint in the police station: While a valid step for residents, as the project lead, your immediate responsibility is to address their concerns directly and show proactive engagement, not just delegate. This might be seen as passing the buck. B) assure residents of an enquiry into the matter: This is the most appropriate response. It acknowledges the residents' concerns, shows that you take their complaints seriously, and promises action to investigate the issue. This builds trust, buys time for investigation, and demonstrates a commitment to both the project's humanitarian goals and the community's well-being. C) ask residents to consider the humanitarian effort made: This dismisses their legitimate safety concerns. While the project is humanitarian, residents' security is also a valid concern. Ignoring their complaints by appealing solely to humanitarianism will likely escalate the situation. D) continue with the project and ignore their complaint: This is irresponsible and unsustainable. Ignoring community complaints will lead to resentment, potential conflict, and could jeopardize the project's long-term success and public support.
Decision Making: Each item describes a situation and is followed by four possible responses. Indicate the response you find most appropri

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