Govt officials warned on code of conduct

With the rising number of government officials seeking personal favours from foreign diplomats and foreign embassy staffers for exchange of information

With the rising number of government officials seeking personal favours from foreign diplomats and foreign embassy staffers for exchange of information,many times even falling into honeytraps in the process,the department of personnel and training (DoPT) has sent a stern missive to all government departments and ministries warning them against mixing with foreign counterparts.

The DoPT has said government servants must use utmost discretion in their contact with foreign service nationals. It has stressed that no private or personal correspondence on official matters should be entered into with them.

The missive comes after a spurt in the number of high-profile cases of diplomats and officials falling into honeytraps over the past few years: RAW agent Rabinder Singh turned into a mole for the CIA,and diplomat Madhuri Gupta was found leaking sensitive information to Pakistani authorities.

Some instances have come to the notice of the government where officers have been in touch with or interacting with foreign service nationals,embassy officers,staffers of other countries in contravention of laid down rules for personal favours,such as being nominated for various courses abroad,etc. This has been viewed seriously by the government, the circular warned.

Citing rules of conduct laid down in a 1969 circular of the ministry of home affairs,the DoPT has spelt out the conduct of government servants with foreign nationals ranging from attendance at formal receptions,acceptance of invitation and hospitality,supply of information,employment of spouse and dependents,association with cultural organisations and admission to foreign language classes.

The 1969 rules relating to conduct of public servants with foreign nationals are numerous and overarching and include provisions barring government officials from having intoxicating drinks with foreign nationals or taking up employment in foreign embassies without prior government approval.

The government routinely comes out with such circulars to remind its officers of their duties towards the country and ensure that they do not engage in improper conduct. This circular is also of the same nature is more detailed, said a senior government official.

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Home secretary RK Singh had also recently written to secretaries of all government departments and ministries asking them to ensure that officers up to the level of under secretaries are aware of conduct rules with foreign nationals.