Government servant’s role in the eradication of untouchability

Government servant’s role in the eradication of untouchability

At the meeting of Central Advisory Board for Harijan Welfare held on the 27th April, 1961 the following recommendations were made :-

The Central Government may impress upon all its servants and request State Governments to do likewise :-

(a) That severe notice shall be taken of the practice of untouchability in Government offices and by Government servants; and

(b) That the police and the Magistracy have a special obligation to enforce the provisions of the Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955, and it is the duty of all Government servants to help them in the enforcement of the Act and in creating the necessary climate to remove untouchability from the mind of the orthodox section of the community.

The Government have accepted these recommendations.

It is specifically brought to the notice of all the Government servants that Article 17 (Part.III-Fundamental Rights) of the Constitution declares that "Untouchability" is abolished and forbids its practice in any form; the practice of untouchability has also been made an offence by the Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955. If any Government servant is guilty of the practice of untouchability in any form, he will be liable to prosecution and such conduct on his part will constitute a sufficient ground for imposing a suitable penalty prescribed under the appropriate control and discipline rule. Government expects its employees not only to observe strictly the law in force but also to set an example to others in the matters of complete elimination of the practice of untouchability in any form.

A Government servant who is found guilty of the practice of untouchability in any form, will be considered unfit for public service and disciplinary action will be taken against him.

[MHA OM No. F.70/17/61-Ests.(A), dated 08.12.1961 as further clarified by OM No. 25/29/66-Ests.(A), dated 21.01.1967]