New Delhi: New rules formed by the government now mandate bureaucrats to declare clear service records, particularly with respect to integrity and dealings with non-government organisations (NGOs), before taking up commercial employment post their retirement.
This will be part of a new declaration that a candidate seeking commercial employment after his or her retirement has to fill. The new rules have been introduced into the declaration which was recently revised by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
The move assumes significance as government has been taking action against thousands of NGOs for violating norms. Few have even been charged for carrying out activities which allegedly hampered country's economic growth.
As per the new rules, which apply to officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), among others, retired bureaucrats need to mention that the proposed emoluments and pecuniary benefits being offered to them are in conformity with the industry standards.
"The organisation in which I am seeking employment is not involved in activities which are in conflict with or prejudicial to India's foreign relations, national security and domestic harmony. The organisation is not undertaking any activity for intelligence gathering.
"The employment, which I propose to take up also will not entail activities which are in conflict with or involve activities prejudicial to India's foreign relations, national security and domestic harmony," the officers need to declare in a revised application.
Pensioners need to affirm that they have not been privy to sensitive or strategic information in the last three years of service, which is directly related to the areas of interest or work of the organisation that they propose to join or to the areas in which they propose to practise or consult.
"My service record is clear, particularly with respect to integrity and dealings with non-government organisations (NGOs). The proposed emoluments and pecuniary benefits are in conformity with the industry standards," reads the declaration to be done by an applicant mandatorily, while seeking the nod.
In some relief to retired bureaucrats seeking commercial employment, they will no longer have to wait for a period of two years to seek permission from the government. The existing cooling-off period, the time bureaucrats need to wait after retirement before they can seek permission to take up engagements outside the government, is two years.
