Bid to segregate tainted staff

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR, JULY 15. Those Government servants with a tainted image will not be trusted with handling cash in Rajasthan hereafter. All those who are facing criminal charges or departmental enquiry on account of embezzlement, misappropriation of funds or financial irregularities are to be kept away from field postings. Neither will they be given postings which involve direct contact with cash.

In a major offensive against corruption, the Rajasthan Government on Saturday issued two circulars aimed at segregating its personnel with a tainted image from the rest. The circulars, issued from the offices of the Chief Vigilance Commissioner (who is also the Home Secretary) and the Secretary of the Department of Personnel have sought the preparation of a list of government servants in the State with a tainted past.

The category includes those caught red-handed while accepting bribe and those against whom a case is pending either with the courts or with the anti-corruption department (ACD). Those facing departmental enquiry under Rule 16 CCA will also come under a separate categorisation hereafter.

``...it is not desirable that such government servants should be given field postings or other postings involving direct contact with the public or handling of cash till such time as they have been cleared in the criminal proceedings/ departmental enquiry pending against them,'' the circulars say.

The Principal Secretaries, Secretaries and the Heads of Departments have been asked to immediately prepare a complete list of such government servants. Information regarding such government servants will be maintained in a permanent register and it will be updated periodically. The Government has sought compliance in this regard in a month's period.

Unleashing a new offensive against corruption has been one of the New Year announcements of the Chief Minister, Mr. Ashok Gehlot, this time. In fact, Mr. Gehlot had then promised to end ``premium'' on Government jobs.

The present action, however also amounts to an open acknowledgement that there are certain coveted posts which could bring illegitimate financial benefits to the occupants.

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Section  : Other States
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