Representatives of Muslim organisations, led by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State general secretary K.P.A. Majeed, met Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here on Saturday seeking to review the decision of the government barring State employees from becoming office-bearers of communal or religious organisations, trusts, and societies. Mr. Majeed was accompanied by the representatives of the Sunni factions, the Mujahids and the Jamaat-e-Islami. They also submitted a memorandum in this regard to the Chief Minister at the Kozhikode Government Guest House. Mr. Chandy told the delegation that the government would look into the matter.
Recently, the State government had amended the Kerala Government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1960, disallowing employees from becoming office-bearers of communal or religious organisations, trusts, and societies. If the government was of the opinion that the continuation of the employee as such office-bearer was not in the public interest, the employee could be asked to resign. The government also stipulated that no government servant while associating with any society, trust or organisation, should engage in any activity that involved collection of money or acceptance of any subscription or other pecuniary assistance from any person or public or private entity.
A decision to amend the Government Servants Conduct Rules was taken more than a year ago after Intelligence agencies suspected employees of either joining or holding posts in religious, casteist, or community organisations, resulting in friction among themselves. This was apart from then the existing rule restricting government employees from being a member of a political party or taking part in politics.
