Using Outside Influence by Revenue Officers - Action to be initiated?
AS per Rule 20 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, "No Government servant shall bring or attempt to bring any political or other outside influence to bear upon any superior authority to further his interests in respect of matters pertaining to his service under Government."
CBDT notes that despite CBDT's advisory for desisting from approaching MPs/MLAs in the service matter by the officials of the department, a number of MP/VIP references are still being received.
Board wants action to be initiated against officers who bring in outside influence.
This is a usual annual instruction which is not really taken seriously by the officers. The name of the game is 'the outside influence should be powerful enough.'
If the Boards/Government are serious about curtailing the menace of VIP interference in transfers, why can't they reject all recommendations and really take action against those who bring in political or other pressure?
Very recently, the CBEC has communicated to the Chief Commissioners some VIP references about appointment of Standing Counsel in High Courts!
In DDT 2380 23.06.2014, I wrote,
Transfer and posting is big business in CBEC and some of the Customs and Central Excise officers are capable of influencing the topmost authorities of this country. Even for very junior posts like Inspectors, recommendations from the highest authorities are brought in. Very recently we heard about large sums of money being given to the staff of a Minister for a particular post as a Member of a Board! Politicians have a big role in transfers and as long as they have their say, they cannot simply shoo away their party workers. This does not mean that transfers should be the exclusive domain of the bureaucrat. Without a politician to check him, the bureaucrat will go berserk. Often the senior babus have no concern or sympathy for their subordinates and will not listen to reason - this is one of the reasons why the babus have to approach the politicians for recommendations. If the senior babu was a little fair and reasonable, the politician would have had no role.
The only solution is to make the system totally transparent and computerised. Transfers should be finally done by a Committee consisting a couple of employees after a session of counselling with the affected employees and everything recorded and everybody accountable.
But who will do this? Who would like to abdicate his power and the power to transfer is the absolute power in Government.
CBDT F.No. HRD/CM/104/2/2016-17., Dated: June 27 2016