Editor,
The CCS Conduct Rules stands for Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules. These rules are applicable to every government person appointed to civil services.
One cannot deny the fact that in Arunachal Pradesh the government officials are mostly seen to be violating the CCS Conduct Rules. As per the CSS Conduct Rule Number 5, government officials’ participation in political rally and campaign goes against the rules, but the government officials are actively participating in political campaigns, political rallies, and even wear political parties’ mufflers and wave political parties’ flags.
Is this because the government officials are unaware of the existing rules or because the rules enforcing authority has failed to take any action against the violators.
As the electioneering process is round the corner, majority of the government officials are actively engaged in political campaigns and rallies, and inducing their kith and kin to join the political party leader of their choice. It happens because in Arunachal, any member of a family who is recruited in government sectors is solely dependent and relied upon, and a family member who is in government employment takes the advantage of the situation and influences the voting and electioneering processes.
The moment it happens, it strangles the very theme of free and fair elections and drastically distorts the essence of healthy democratic practices. One can easily conclude that the government employees are not sacred of legal ramifications and punishments implied thereupon, because other than transferring the employees to the nook and corner of the state, no strict action has been initiated so far.
The lenient attitude of the enforcing authority is encouraging government employees to violate the CCS Conduct Rules.
The Arunachal Informer has spoken to the state’s Chief Electoral Officer Pawan Kumar Sain pertaining to communal politics and money culture and violation of CCS Conduct Rules. In response, he appealed to the voters to cast their votes responsibly and refrain from communal politics, cautioned the government employees violating the CCS Rules, and asked them to refrain from political campaigns and rallies.
He also highlighted the theme ‘Vote with conscience, not with inducement’.
The Arunachal Informer also questioned Chief Minister Pema Khandu regarding government employees’ involvement in political rallies and campaigns, as it goes against Rule 8 No 5(14) of the CCS Rules, 1964, which states that no government servant shall be a member of, or be otherwise associated with, any political party or any organisation which takes part in politics, nor shall he/she take part in, subscribe in aid of, or assist in any other manner, any political movement or activity.
Responding to the question, the CM said that violation of CCS Rules is not a good sign, and that strict action would be initiated against the violators as per rules. He added that, once the model code of conduct is put into force, it will be stricter.
The Arunachal Informer also asked West Siang Deputy Commissioner Mamu Hage, who cautioned government employees against participating in any political rally or campaign.
During its investigation, the Arunachal Informer learnt that government employees are no scared of such rules and norms, as no strict action has been initiated so far, other then transferring/posting. One government employee, who was actively participating in a political campaign and rally, said, “I am not scared if I don’t comply with the CCS Rules. The major punishment would be transfer to nook and corner of the state only – nothing beyond.”
It is imperative to be cognisant that the government enforcing authority should ensure proper implementation of the CSS Rules. If implemented in toto, it would certainly boost a healthy democracy. It shouldn’t be in letter only, or mere lip service; it should be in spirit too.
Jumge Pale,
Managing Director,
Arunachal Informer