Clarification on CCS Conduct Rule 15(1)(c) – Instructions issued by DoPT on 5.8.2019

Clarification on CCS Conduct Rule 15(1)(c) – Instructions issued by DoPT on 5.8.2019

Sanction for holding an elective office under Rule 15(1)(c) of CCS(Conduct) Rules, 1964

F. No.11013/ 1/2016-Estt.A-III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
(Establishment A-III Desk)

North Block, New Delhi – 110001
Dated: 5 August, 2019

Office Memorandum

Subject: Sanction for holding an elective office under Rule 15(1)(c) of CCS(Conduct) Rules, 1964 – reg.

The undersigned is directed to say that as per Rule 15 ( 1) (c) of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964, no Government servant shall except with the previous sanction of the Government, hold an elective office, or canvass for a candidate or candidates for an elective office, in any body, whether incorporated or not. DoPT’s O.M. No. 11013/9/ 93-Estt.(A) dated 22.04.1994 had also stipulated that no Government servant should be allowed to hold elective office in any sports association / federation for a term of more than 4 years, or for one term whichever is less.

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Further, according to Department of Personnel & Training’s OM No. 11013/11/2007-Estt (A) dated the 13th November, 2007, the entire time of the Government servant should be available to the Government and that no activities unconnected with his or her official duties should be allowed to interfere with the efficient discharge of such duties. All Ministries were requested to ensure that the participation of the Government servants in the activities of the cooperative societies conform to the above provisions and does not interfere with the discharge of their official duties.

2. Instances have come to notice where Government servants continue to hold elective offices in various capacities for unduly long periods. In some cases, where bye-laws of these bodies place restrictions on the number of consecutive terms a person may hold an office, Government servants are reported to have either got themselves re-elected after a gap or have got a family member/ close relative elected as a surrogate in order to keep control of such bodies.

In such cases, Government servants may not be bestowing adequate attention upon their official duties and, as a result, an apprehension may arise that such Government servants also develop vested interests, particularly if the body is involved in commercial activities, directly or indirectly.

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3. The policy on fixing an upper limit of the number of years for which Government servants can hold elective office in any body in their entire career has been reviewed and it has been decided that a Government servant may be allowed to hold elective office in any body, whether incorporated or not, for period of two terms or for a period of 4 years, whichever is earlier, for which prior sanction would be required when a Government servant contests an election in such body, as per existing rules.

4. It is, therefore, necessary for the Competent Authority to keep in mind all the relevant factors while granting permission under Rule 15(1)(c) of CCS(Conduct) Rules, 1964. It may also be necessary that cases of such sanctions are reviewed from time to time and permissions earlier granted revoked where Government servants have been holding office in any body, whether incorporated or not, for more than four years or in cases there are charges of corruption, adverse audit paras etc. In such cases, the Government servant concerned may be directed to resign from his office in such body immediately.

He will cease to discharge any function from the date such direction is conveyed to him, irrespective of the fact whether his resignation from the body is accepted or not. This action may be taken immediately in those cases where information is already available with the Ministries and Departments. In addition, all the Ministries and Departments are also requested to obtain information from their employees in the proforma attached to this Office Memorandum for reviewing the position as well as while considering the request for sanction under Rule 15(l)(c) of CCS(Conduct) Rules, 1964 in future.

5. This O.M. issues in supersession of DoPT’s 11013/ 9/ 93-Estt.(A) dated 22.04.1994.

6. In so far as the employees of Indian Audit and Accounts Departments are concerned, this O.M. issues after consultation with Comptroller & Auditor General of India.

7. All Ministries/ Departments/ Offices are requested to bring the above instructions to the notice of all administrative authorities under their control.

8. Hindi version will follow.

sd/-
(Satish Kumar)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

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