Naresh Civil Contractor Ethics

Based on the case given below.

Ethical – a person is called unethical, when he deviates from principles. The principles and their use is often guided by two definitions: Moral: society's code for individual survival. Ethics: An individual's code for society survival.

Naresh was a small time civil contractor in a small city. His major clients were residents wanting ad-hoc work. His just prices made him a preferred contractor. Always he followed the principle that client had to be kept happy. However due to unpredictability of orders, Naresh was under pressure to expand his business to support his family and offer employment to more labourers. Naresh drew the boundary of his society to include himself, his family, his employees and their families.

For expansion, the only option was to enlist as a government contractor. Srikumar, an experienced government contractor, advised him: "The work is given to those who win the bidding process and give maximum bribe. Prices quoted have to include bribes, else bills won't get cleared... This ensures survival and prosperity for contractors."

Naresh decided to work as a government contractor. Following Srikumar's advice, he inflated the prices so that he could pay the bribes out the bills received.

A new supervisor produced a document showing rates at which Naresh worked for private clients and accused Naresh and Srikumar of over-pricing. Faced with that situation, Naresh gave a written reply that "I use materials of inferior quality for private work, and that is the reason for price difference". Srikumar supported Naresh. In this situation, it can be concluded that:

Lankawala challenged the supervisor for bribes and was threatened with blacklisting. That evening the supervisor's body was found on railway tracks. In investigations, contractors stayed silent to avoid legal disruptions to business. Naresh wanted to speak out but was pressurized by Srikumar not to. In this situation, it can be concluded that: