My job, my passion and conduct rules

Since the day we were ordained into our jobs in the government, we felt that our freedom has been mortgaged. One of my staff (who recently retired) used to say so, rather he was very fond of this line. Is it really so? Let me tell you about an incident. One of my friends was slapped with a show cause notice for publishing an article in an English daily. The rule-conduct rule; offence-publishing an article. My friend was a bit disturbed. There were many opinions for and against the issue. I had some thoughts regarding this as I am myself a regular contributor of articles in dailies myself. So I would like to share something on this issue with the likes of me and the readers both. The question is, how best can we share our experience with the people and how can one contribute in reshaping the governance out of long years of experience.

I have served the department for more than three decades and I certainly have developed many ideas of my own, and also have accumulated some pent up feelings, in addition to my technical knowledge and experience. Naturally, I want to convert them into black and white, but as one can see, it is difficult for a serving government employee to go for such ventures. So, I thought I shall have a look at the conduct rules once again. I have been writing few articles for the local dailies and have given many talks over All India Radio. Those, I feel were harmless technical articles and talks of public awareness type, which I felt were quite safe to write. But then, to be truly contributing to the society other than providing some technical goodies, I thought it would require a realistic examination of the topic and threadbare discussion so that the press can be really made into the fourth estate. I also have to take care that I am not at loggerheads with my bosses or the bosses in the Government at any point of time by contributing articles. So, let me present you the relevant portions of the conduct rules, the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964.

The first restriction is that no employee shall participate in the editing or managing of any newspaper or other periodicals [Rule 8(i)] without previous sanction. However, as per Government of India’s decision, participating in A.I.R. programmes and receiving honorarium does not require a previous sanction. The Government Servant publishing a book or participating in public media shall have to make it clear that the views expressed by him are his own and not of the Government. Second restriction is that no employee shall participate in a radio broadcast or contribute any article or write a letter, which might have the effect of an adverse criticism on any current or recent policy or action of the government, to any newspaper except with pervious sanction [Rule 9((i)] or which is capable of embarrassing the relations between the central and the state governments or foreign governments [Rule 9(ii) & 9(iii)]. But such a permission is not required if it is a view in his official capacity or in due performance of his duty. So, if the contribution is purely literary, artistic or of a scientific character, such articles may not adversely affect the functioning of the state and there should not be any restriction. Of course publishing any material with political tinge is not allowed [Rule 5(1)].

Coming back to my friend who got a show cause notice, let me tell you that his article was a technical article though it was out of his official experience. It is of no offence if the article is a technical or a literary one. Getting a show cause notice is no cause for worry, pointing out the rule and fact should be sufficient enough. We are so well positioned to write and if we do not, then who will? Let us not worry about the article being political, because none of us shall do that, being so disenchanted with politics. But the art to be adopted here is to turn one’s comments into suggestions to improve the situation. Benign suggestions. Be aware that the line between being literary and being critical on an issue is quite thin. So, there should be no names or harsh words, even if we have hard feelings sometimes. The article should not adversely affect the functioning of the institution or the organisation. Nowadays, very few employees are happy and have a charm for the job, may be including ourselves. But we have to be careful about the tendency to criticise or to be anti-establishment. One should always be positive and pro establishment even if the establishment is in the hands of a few. I myself have always been pro-establishment.

But let me take up another cause of worry. During the long evenings we had with our friends in tutors place (most of us hang out there, nowadays), we used to have excellent opinions generated, some of them which if implemented properly, could change or have changed the situation of the state. The tragedy is, due to the fear of conduct rules, none of my friends have put those wonderful ideas in to black and white. Secondly, why should the conduct rules restrict any employee from criticising or commenting on the policy, current or recent? It needs to be allowed if the comments of all the stakeholders have not been sought while framing it. An employee is also a citizen first. So, on the issues concerning him (other than that of his own department), they should be allowed to air their views as an ordinary citizen.

As long as the rule is not amended to make it more democratic without curtailing the freedom of expression, my friends, stick to the rules, because in case of any confusion, or when situation becomes tough, it is wise to follow the rules. You can see that there is still a wide scope within these restrictions. But do not kill your passion to write, because it is a nation building exercise. My big boss said to me the other day that what we were writing should be of some good to the people. True, it could help us in discharging our official duties with the help of media, particularly the print media. Getting an article published is important for the writer as it conveys the message he wants to the target group easily and effectively. Besides, it serves him in the form of a record too. It also helps in social engineering on important and critical issues, which would make the public delivery easier for our departments. Secondly, when the article appears, it gives a chance for self review and reshaping the conviction. It is entirely an elating feeling to see your own article in the dailies and it kindles your passion to write and contribute more towards a noble cause. A small tip - being positive would always helps.

15-Nov-2012 / 01:21 AM / Akham Bonbirdhwaja Singh / 0 Comments