Centre issues fresh guidelines for govt employees to receive awards from private bodies

The Centre has issued fresh guidelines on government employees receiving awards from private organisations, making prior approval of the competent authority mandatory before accepting them.

The approval, the Personnel Ministry said, may be granted "only in exceptional circumstances". It further said that the award should not have any monetary component in the move after it noticed that existing instructions in this regard were not being adhered to in true spirit. "Accordingly, it is, hereby, clarified that: awards given by private bodies/ institutions/organisations may be accepted only with prior approval of competent authority," said an order issued by the Personnel Ministry.

The competent authority for acceptance of awards by a government servant would be secretary of the concerned ministry/department, it said in the order issued to all central government ministries/departments. "The competent authority for acceptance of awards by secretaries to govt of India and secretary rank officers would be cabinet secretary," the order said, adding that the approval may be granted "only in exceptional circumstances".

It further said that the award should not have any monetary component in the form of cash and/or facilities. "Credentials of the private bodies/institutions/ organisations should be unimpeachable," the order said. Rule 14 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) rules, 1964 provides that "no Government servant shall, except with the previous sanction of the government, receive any complimentary or valedictory address or accept any testimonial or attend any meeting or entertainment held in his honour; or in the honour of any other government servant".