Case Study 2: You are a senior officer in a state government, responsible for overseeing the disbursement of funds for a rural development program. The program is aimed at improving infrastructure and providing basic amenities in underdeveloped regions. During a routine inspection, you find that a significant portion of the funds has been siphoned off by a network of local politicians, contractors, and lower-level officials. The local politicians involved are influential and have the backing of your political superiors. Reporting the misuse of funds could lead to backlash and transfer, while ignoring it would compromise the integrity of the program and the welfare of the rural population. Questions: 1. Analyze the ethical issues involved in this case, particularly in the context of probity in governance and the misuse of public funds. 2. How would you address the conflict between the duty to report corruption and the potential personal and professional risks? What role should values such as courage of conviction and commitment to public service play in your decision-making? 3. Suggest a detailed course of action that balances the need for probity with the challenges posed by the situation, ensuring that the rural development program’s objectives are met. (250 words, 20 Marks)