The go to of an officer: As BSNL feels the warmth, what do govt guidelines say about protocol | India Information
An inside protocol order concerning a two-day official go to by the director of a PSU to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh lately left a number of pink faces round, resulting in the switch of two senior officers, a show-cause discover to the officer himself, and a rebuke by Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
The leaked protocol order listed preparations to be made for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Restricted (BSNL) Director Vivek Banzal’s go to to Prayagraj, together with facilitating his and his household’s dip on the Sangam, a ship experience, and visits to a number of temples, in addition to provides to be stored prepared for his private use.
Scindia described the episode as “absurd and surprising” and stated the “unacceptable conduct” confirmed “violation of guidelines”.
The Central Civil Providers (Conduct) Guidelines, 1964, which cowl Indian Telecommunication Service (ITS) officers resembling Banzal, prohibit authorities servants from accepting lavish hospitality or any pecuniary benefit from individuals or entities having official dealings with them.
A 1987-batch ITS officer who joined the BSNL board as Director in October 2018, Banzal, 59, is because of retire in September this yr.
Rule 13 explicitly bars acceptance of presents, together with free transport, boarding, lodging or every other service. It states, “… no Authorities servant shall settle for, or allow any member of his household or every other individual performing on his behalf to simply accept, any reward”. Moreover, the Rule has an “Rationalization” that “The expression ‘reward’ shall embrace free transport, boarding, lodging or different service or every other pecuniary benefit when offered by any individual apart from a close to relative or private good friend having no official dealings with the Authorities servant.”
BSNL sources say that on occasion, these guidelines are circulated amongst officers. Comparable reminders are despatched by the Central authorities’s Division of Personnel and Coaching (DoPT) as nicely.
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About taking hospitality and associated assist, Rule 13 additional says: “A Authorities servant shall keep away from accepting lavish hospitality or frequent hospitality from any particular person, industrial or business companies, organisations, and many others., having official dealings with him.”
On presents which might be allowed, the rule says: “On events resembling weddings, anniversaries, funerals or non secular features, when the making of reward is in conformity with the prevailing non secular and social observe, a Authorities servant could settle for presents from his close to kin or from his private pals having no official dealings with him, however shall make a report back to the Authorities, if the worth (Rs 25,000 for Group-A officers, Rs 15,000 for Group-B officers and Rs 7,000 for Group-C officers) of such reward exceeds.”
“In every other case,” the rule provides, “a Authorities servant shall not settle for any reward with out sanction of the Authorities if the worth thereof exceeds.”
Rule 3 of the Conduct Guidelines states, “Each Authorities servant shall always, preserve absolute integrity; … do nothing which is unbecoming of a Authorities servant… preserve excessive moral requirements and honesty; … preserve courtesy and good conduct with the general public; … take choices solely in public curiosity and use or trigger to make use of public assets effectively, successfully and economically…”
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Violation of those guidelines could appeal to main or minor penalties starting from censure to dismissal from service.
Sources in BSNL, a loss-making public sector big, stated such inside protocol preparations are often made informally. An ITS officer posted within the Nationwide Capital Area reiterated the identical to The Indian Expresssaying “such detailed orders” as in Banzal’s case will not be issued.
After the main points leaked on social media, Banzal’s go to was cancelled and an official inquiry enquired. Jogeshwar Verma, Deputy Basic Supervisor (Administration), and Brijendra Kumar Singh, Principal Basic Supervisor (Enterprise Space), had been transferred out of Prayagraj, to the Nationwide Telecom Area of BSNL, and to Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh respectively.
The order concerning Banzal’s go to, signed by Verma, had an inventory of over 40 officers who had been assigned round 20 particular duties to handle each facet of the February 25-26 journey. These duties included guaranteeing provision for “snan (bathing) kits” for six males and two girls for the ghat go to, comprising towels, slippers, cleaning soap, shampoo, hair oil, comb, mirror, a bedsheet, and even undergarments.
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There have been additionally directions concerning the lodge and ‘Circuit Home’ reserving for Banzal and his visitors, together with dry fruits, fruit bowls, towels, toiletries and shaving kits.