New Delhi, Dec 12: The Centre has introduced updated guidelines regarding government employees accepting awards from private organizations, mandating prior approval from the competent authority before doing so. The Personnel Ministry emphasized that approval should be granted “only in exceptional circumstances.”
The order, directed to all central government ministries/departments, specified that the competent authority for award acceptance by a government servant would be the secretary of the concerned ministry/department. For secretaries to the Government of India and officers of secretary rank, the competent authority would be the cabinet secretary. The approval, as per the guidelines, should be given “only in exceptional circumstances.”
To ensure the integrity of the process, the guidelines stipulated that the award should not include any monetary component, either in cash or facilities. Additionally, the credentials of the private bodies or institutions presenting the awards should be beyond reproach.
The order highlighted Rule 14 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, which prohibits government servants from receiving complimentary or valedictory addresses, testimonials, or attending events held in their honor without prior government sanction.
The Personnel Ministry’s latest order urged strict adherence to these fresh guidelines, noting that previous instructions on the matter were not consistently followed. The move follows a recognition that awards from private bodies to government servants need careful consideration, especially to uphold merit and service within the government’s own recognition frameworks.
