BackGovernment clarifies rules to check nepotism by civil servants
The order comes after doubts were raised over the definition of family members under the civil services (conduct) rules
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New Delhi: In a move to check nepotism and corruption, the central government has clarified that civil servants shall not use their position to grant any benefit to their immediate family or any other person related to any of them by blood or marriage.
The order by the department of personnel and training (DoPT), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, came after doubts were raised over the definition of “members of family" under the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964.
As per rule 4(1) of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, no government servant shall use their position or influence directly or indirectly to secure employment for any member of their family in any company or firm.
Rule 4(3) states that, “No government servant shall in the discharge of his official duties deal with any matter or give or sanction any contract to any company or firm or any other person if any member of his family is employed in that company or firm or under that person or if he or any member of his family is interested in such matter or contract in any other manner and the government servant shall refer every such matter or contract to his official superior and the matter or contract shall thereafter be disposed of according to the instructions of the authority to whom the reference is made."
But doubts were raised over the definition of family members.
The DoPT order issued on Wednesday said, “For removal of doubts it is clarified that in the context of rule 4(1) and 4(3) ‘members of family’ in relation to a government servant include the wife or husband, son or daughter, parents, brothers or sisters or any person related to any of them by blood or marriage, whether they are dependent on the government servant or not."
The department has asked all ministries and departments to bring the clarification, “to the notice of all disciplinary authorities under their control".
Since assuming power in May 2014, the National Democratic Alliance government has taken steps to control corruption in the bureaucracy. For instance, the centre last year introduced a rule to allow civil servants to be removed from service in public interest even if the evidence against them is not sufficient to initiate disciplinary proceedings.
The DoPT had also come out with instructions to all departments to make sure they review the performance of every official when they reach the 50-55 age bracket and complete 30 years in service.
According to a senior DoPT official who did not wish to be identified, “This is among a series of steps that the government is taking to control any chance of nepotism and corruption from civil servants."
Former Union power secretary E.A.S. Sarma said, “Even as per the Companies Act, a director is not supposed to have relatives in the same firm, so why not civil servants?"
“The step by the government is a good thing to discourage corruption. There is so much corruption, including benaami properties," Sarma added.
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