DoPT to government employees ‘face action if you directly approach PM’

The government Monday warned central government employees, including officials from the Army and other paramilitary forces, of “disciplinary action” if they directly raise service matter-related grievances to the Prime Minister, Secretary (Personnel) and other higher authorities.

“As per the existing instructions, wherever, in any matter connected with his service rights or conditions, a government servant wishes to press a claim or seek redressal of a grievance, the proper course for him is to address his immediate official superior, or head of his office, or such other authority at the appropriate level who is competent to deal with the matter in the organisation,” the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said Monday.

Stating that “such submission of representations directly to other authorities, bypassing the prescribed channel of communication, has to be viewed seriously and appropriate disciplinary action should be taken against those who violate these instructions”, the DoPT reiterated that “this can rightly be treated as an unbecoming conduct”.