'Thru Proper Channel' - CBEC Officers have no respect for channel
AS per the existing instructions, representations on service matters should be forwarded through proper channel and the proper course for a Government servant is to address his immediate superior official, or the Head of his office, or such other authority at the lowest level as he is competent to deal with the matter.
Submission of representations directly to higher authorities by-passing the prescribed channel of communication, is 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.
However, of late, CBEC observes that some officers of Indian Customs and Central Excise tend to by-pass the prescribed channels of representation and write directly to the higher functionaries and functionaries outside, including State Government in violation of the prescribed channels.
This has been viewed seriously.
CBEC reiterates that the Government of India instructions on the issue may be brought to the notice of all the officers for strict compliance. All the officers may be suitably advised to refrain from sending application/ representation to other Ministry/ Department/ State Governments/ Organisations on service matter. The officers may be impressed upon to strictly follow the existing instructions in this regard, failing which appropriate disciplinary action may be taken against them.
The instructions were issued in 1968 and periodically reiterated. But still employees and their associations write to various Ministers, MPs, Prime Minister, President of India and many of these VIPs forward such representations dutifully to the Board. Has the Board in the last 47 years ever taken action against any officer for sending a representation through the improper channel?
But why do officers trained at NACEN for two years send their representations through all other kinds of channels, when the clear and proper channel is available? It is simply because the proper channel is so polluted and clogged that nothing flows through it and nothing comes out of it, unless you clear the blockages at each stage. And you are treated with contempt and disbelief by the top brass when the representations are sent through proper channels, whereas a representation sent through a political functionary gets immediate attention. Nobody will go out of the channel if the channel is effective. Board should first ensure that the channel is clear and representations are considered fairly. It is often found that senior officers talk insultingly and rudely to officers just one rank below them.
Anyway nobody will be bothered about this threat of 'viewing seriously' and disciplinary action as they all know that if the improper channel is big enough, no action will be taken.
CBEC had issued similar instructions in September 2014 () and October 2014 ()
CBEC F. No.A.35017/32/2015-Ad.II.., Dated May 28 2015