Conduct & Disciplinary Rules – 4

All should read the Conduct Rules at least one time and so that the complete rules are reproduced for the ready consumption of the viewers of this blog.

CCS (Conduct Rules) 1964 

1. SHORT TITLE, COMMENCEMENT AND APPLICATION:

(1) These rules may be called the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964.

2. DEFINITIONS:

In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires-

(a) "The Government" means the Central Government;

(b) "Government servant" means any person appointed by Government to any civil service or post in connection with the affairs of the Union and includes a civilian in a Defence Service;

(c) "Members of family" in relation to a Government servant includes-

(i) the wife or husband as the case may be, of the Government servant, whether residing with the Government servant or not but does not include a wife or husband, as the case may be, separated from the Government servant by a decree or order of a competent Court;

(ii) son or daughter or step-son or step-daughter of the Government servant and wholly dependent on him, but does not include a child or step-child who is no longer in any way dependent on the Government servant or of whose custody the Government servant has been deprived by or under any law;

(iii) any other person related, whether by blood or marriage to the Government servant or to the Government servant's wife or husband, and wholly dependent on the Government servant.

3. GENERAL:

(1) Every Government servant shall at all times--

(i) maintain absolute integrity;

(ii) maintain devotion to duty; and

(iii) do nothing which is unbecoming of a Government servant.

(iv) commit himself to and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and democratic values;

(v) defend and uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, public order, decency and morality;

(vi) maintain high ethical standards and honesty;

(vii) maintain political neutrality;

(viii) promote the principles of merit, fairness and impartiality in the discharge of duties;

(ix) maintain accountability and transparency;

(x) maintain responsiveness to the public, particularly to the weaker section;

(xi) maintain courtesy and good behaviour with the public;

(xii) take decisions solely in public interest and use or cause to use public resources efficiently, effectively and economically;

(xiii) declare any private interests relating to his public duties and take steps to resolve any conflicts in a way that protects the public interest;

(xiv) not place himself under any financial or other obligations to any individual or organisation which may influence him in the performance of his official duties;

(xv) not misuse his position as civil servant and not take decisions in order to derive financial or material benefits for himself, his family or his friends;

(xvi) make choices, take decisions and make recommendations on merit alone;

(xvii) act with fairness and impartiality and not discriminate against anyone, particularly the poor and the under-privileged sections of society;

(xviii) refrain from doing anything which is or may be contrary to any law, rules, regulations and established practices;

(xix) maintain discipline in the discharge of his duties and be liable to implement the lawful orders duly communicated to him;

(xx) maintain confidentiality in the performance of his official duties as required by any laws for the time being in force, particularly with regard to information, disclosure of which may prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, friendly relation with foreign countries or lead to incitement of an offence or illegal or unlawful gain to any person;

(xxi) perform and discharge his duties with the highest degree of professionalism and dedication to the best of his abilities.]

*Inserted by the Central Civil Services (Conduct) (Third Amendment) Rules, 2014 - Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training) Notification dated the 27th November, 2014 issued vide F.No. 11013/6/2014-Estt.A. 

(2) (i)  Every Government servant holding a supervisory post shall take all possible steps to ensure the integrity and devotion to duty of all Government servants for the time being under his control and authority;

(ii) No Government servant shall, in the performance of his official duties, or in the exercise of powers conferred on him, act otherwise than in his best judgement except when he is acting under the direction of his official superior;

 

(iii) The direction of the official superior shall ordinarily be in writing. Oral direction to subordinates shall be avoided, as far as possible. Where the issue of oral direction becomes unavoidable, the official superior shall confirm it in writing immediately thereafter;

 

(iv) A Government servant who has received oral direction from his official superior shall seek confirmation of the same in writing as early as possible, whereupon it shall be the duty of the official superior to confirm the direction in writing.

 

Explanation I:- A Government servant who habitually fails to perform the task assigned to him within the time set for the purpose and with the quality of performance expected of him shall be deemed to be lacking in devotion to duty within the meaning of clause (ii) of sub-rule (1).

 

Explanation II:- Nothing in clause (ii) of sub-rule (2) shall be construed as empowering a Government servant to evade his responsibilities by seeking instructions from, or approval of, a superior officer or authority when such instructions are not necessary under the scheme of distribution of powers and responsibilities.

 

3A. Promptness and Courtesy

No Government servant shall

(a) in the performance of his official duties, act in a discourteous manner;

(b) in his official dealings with the public or otherwise adopt dilatory tactics or wilfully cause delays in disposal of the work assigned to him.

 

3B. Observance of Government's policies

Every Government servant shall, at all times-

(i) act in accordance with the Government's policies regarding age of marriage, Preservation of environment, protection of wildlife and cultural heritage;

(ii) observe the Government's policies regarding prevention of crime against women.

 

**[3C. Prohibition of sexual harassment of working women, - (1) No Government servant shall indulge in any act of sexual harassment of any woman at any work place.

(2) Every Government servant who is incharge of a work place shall take appropriate steps to prevent sexual harassment to any woman at the work place.

 

Explanation. - (I) For the purpose of this rule, -

(a) "sexual harassment" includes any one or more of the following acts or behaviour (whether directly or by implication) namely : -

(i) physical contact and advances; or

(ii) a demand or request for sexual favours; or

(iii) making sexually coloured remarks; or

(iv) showing pornography; or

(v) any other unwelcome physical, verbal, non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature.

 

(b) the following circumstances, among other circumstances, if it occurs or is present in relation to or connected with any act or behaviour of sexual harassment may amount to sexual harassment : -

(i) implied or explicit promise of preferential treatment in employment; or

(ii) implied or explicit threat of detrimental treatment in employment; or

(iii) implied or explicit threat about her present or future employment status; or

(iv) interference with her work or creating an intimidating or offensive or hostile work environment for her; or

(v) humiliating treatment likely to affect her health or safety.

 

(c) "workplace" includes,-

(i) any department, organisation, undertaking, establishment, enterprise, institution, office, branch or unit which is established, owned, controlled or wholly or substantially financed by funds provided directly or indirectly by the Central Government;

(ii) hospitals or nursing homes;

(iii) any 'sports institute, stadium, sports complex or competition or games venue, whether residential or not used for training, sports or other activities relating thereto;

(iv) any place visited by the employee arising out of or during the course of employment including transportation provided by the employer for undertaking such journey;

(v) a dwelling place or a house.]

 

……… To be continued……