No direct representations on Service matters to be made to the Prime Minister
THE DOPT informs that it is receiving a number of representations, on service matters, addressed to the Prime Minister/Minister/Secretary (P) and other officers directly from the Government servants although the age-old instructions on the subject matter clearly mention that in any matter connected with service rights or conditions, a Government servant wishes to press a claim or to seek redress of a grievance, the proper course for him is to address his immediate official superior, or the Head of his office, or such other authority at the lowest level as is competent to deal with the matter.
Further, the DOPT also brings to notice that - of late, it is observed that there is an increasing tendency on the part of officers at different levels to by-pass the prescribed channels of representation and write directly to the high functionaries totally ignoring the prescribed channels. The problem is more acute in large Departments where often very junior employees at clerical level address multiple representations to the Minster, Prime Minister and other functionaries. Apart from individual representations, the service unions have also developed a tendency to write to the Ministers and Prime Minister on individual grievance. Some of these representations are often forwarded through Members of Parliament, in violation of Rule 20 of the CCS (Conduct) Rule, 1964.
The DOPT, therefore, advises that such submission of representations directly to higher authorities by-passing the prescribed channel of communication, has to be viewed seriously and appropriate disciplinary action should be taken against those who violate these instructions as it can rightly be treated as an unbecoming conduct attracting the provisions of Rule 3 (1)(iii) of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964.
Is this instruction applicable prospectively only?