Govt warns employees against criticising policies

Govt warns employees against criticising policies

Press Trust of India  |  New Delhi  October 10, 2016

The Centre has warned employees of disciplinary action if they indulge in criticism of the

t or its policies. 
The move comes after officers of Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central

 Excise) and All IndiaAssociation of Central Excise Gazetted Executive Officers, among others,

 suggested changes in Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), a private company

 tasked with creating information technologyinfrastructure for the goods and services

tax (GST), and composition of Revenue Secretary-led GSTcouncil secretariat.

“Of late, it has been noticed that some associations or federations have commented

 adversely on the government and its policies. It may be brought to the notice of all

associations or federations that if anyone indulges in criticism of the government

and its policies, appropriate action (including disciplinary action) shall be taken,” an order

 issued recently by finance ministry said.

It cited service rules that bar any government servant from making any adverse criticism

 of any policy or action of the government.

“No government servant shall, in any radio broadcast, telecast through any electronic

 media or in any document published in his own name or anonymously, pseudonymously 

or in the name of any other person or in any communication to the press or in any public utterance, make any statement of fact or opinion which has the effect of an adverse criticism of any current or recent policy or action of the central government or state government,” the service rules say.

Citing existing norms, the finance ministry said the primary objective of the service

 associations is to promote common service interest of its members.

The ministry asked chief commissioners and directors general concerned to ensure

 that only recognised employees associations get the benefits mentioned in the rules.

All recognised service associations or federations are entitled for certain benefits such

 as correspondence and meetings with the head of administrative departments,

provision of accommodation for the association subject to availability, facility of special

 casual leave up to 20 days in a year to office-bearers of associations and payment

of Travelling Allowance and Dearness Allowance for attending officially sponsored meetings.

“In the case of service associations or federations which are not recognised or whose

 recognition has expired, office-bearers of such associations or federations shall not be

entitled for these benefits,” thefinance ministry said.


The central government holds 24.5 per cent stake in GSTN, while state governments together

hold another 24.5 per cent.

The remaining 51 per cent equity is with non-government financial institutions, like HDFC Bank,

 ICICI Bank and LIC Housing Finance.

“Management of GSTN be entrusted to Directorate General, Systems of Central Board

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister, had recently

 approved ‘Project Saksham’, a new indirect tax network (systems integration) of the

Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC).

The total project cost involved is Rs 2,256 crore, which will be incurred over a period of seven years.

Source :  http://www.business-standard.com