The government has amended the Kerala Government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1960, barring State employees from becoming office-bearers of communal or religious organisations, trusts, and societies.
Through an order issued by the Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department on Saturday, the government had stipulated that any government employee who assumed office as a functionary of any scientific, literary or charitable society, trust or other organisation should inform about it within one month of assumption of office.
If the government is of the opinion that the person’s continuation as such office-bearer is not in the public interest, he/she shall be asked to resign.
The order stipulates that no government servant shall, while associating himself/herself with any society, trust or organisation, engage in any activity that involves collection of money or acceptance of any subscription or other pecuniary assistance from any person or public or private entity.
Explanatory noteThe explanatory note to the order said the order was being issued as it had been brought to the government’s notice that government servants who were office-bearers of communal or religious organisations, trust and societies were accepting subscription and other pecuniary assistance and taking part in activities that involved collection of money from individuals and private and public entities. Existing rules had been found to be insufficient to prohibit such activities, the order said.
