A destitute widow has illegally occupied a piece of government land to build a small hut. An eviction notice is due for execution…

Question

A destitute widow has illegally occupied a piece of government land to build a small hut. An eviction notice is due for execution.

What is the most appropriate course of action?

1. A. Evict her immediately as per legal provisions
2. B. Provide temporary shelter under welfare schemes and initiate legal regularization if permissible (Correct answer)
3. C. Allow her to stay, ignoring the legal provisions
4. D. Delay the eviction indefinitely to avoid public criticism

Correct Answer

Option B — Provide temporary shelter under welfare schemes and initiate legal regularization if permissible

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Provide temporary shelter under welfare schemes and initiate legal regularization if permissible.

Key Points

• The law must be applied, but compassionately: the occupation is unlawful, yet the occupant is destitute.
• Rehousing under existing welfare schemes discharges the state's duty of care before removing the only shelter she has.
• Initiating regularisation *if permissible* keeps the solution within the law rather than around it.

Additional Information

• Option A is lawful but inhumane, and would put a destitute person on the street.
• Option C sets aside the law entirely, which an official has no authority to do.
• Option D is drift — an indefinite delay driven by fear of criticism, not by policy.
• This item tests the standard administrative balance between rule of law and compassion: enforce the rule, but use every welfare provision available first.

*Ministry of Papers worked solution. The Commission has not yet published the official key for this paper; this answer will be reconciled with it on release.*