IB nod must for selecting private persons as OSDs

A clearance from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) will be required from now on in case a private person is to be appointed as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to a minister. Such a clearance will not be needed in case a government official is being appointed as the OSD.

A Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) directive has asked ministries to send the IB report and police report verifying the character and antecedents of private persons in reckoning to be appointed as OSDs to ministers. In addtion, the ministries have been asked to send the earlier service details duly attested by the minister concerned and post creation details with the approval of DoPT and Finance Ministry.

The directive has further asked the ministries to send a proposal, including approval from the concerned minister, willingness of the person to be appointed as OSD and educational qualification certificates (attested by an officer not below the level of Under Secretary) to it. As per procedure, the final appointment of OSD will be made after the approval of Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC).