Acceptance of gifts by Government servants on the occasion of their transfer or retirement.

 Acceptance of gifts by Government servants on the occasion of their transfer or retirement.

Instances have come to the notice of Government in which senior officers and others were presented, on the occasion of their retirement or transfer, with expensive gifts for the purchase of which the members of the staff contributed. Permission of Government under Rule 10 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1955, to accept these gifts was sought on the ground that these were a token of the esteem and affection in which the officers concerned were held.

2. While a farewell entertainment of substantially private and informal character may be held in honour of such officers on the eve of retirement or transfer, as permitted under the proviso to Rule 11 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1955 and gifts of trifling value [as defined in the Explanation to rule 10 (2) of the above rules] presented and accepted on such occasions, it is hardly healthy or desirable to allow the practice of accepting gifts from the staff.

3. The Ministry of Finance etc., are accordingly requested to bring to the notice of all concerned that entertainment or gifts on such occasions should be strictly confined to the limits permitted under the Conduct Rules.

[MHA OM No. 25/40/58-Ests.(A), dated 24.07.1958]

(2A) Do – Clarification

Attention is invited to MHA OM No. 25/40/58-Ests.(A) dated 24.07.1958, (Decision 9 above) in which it has been emphasized that while a farewell entertainment of a substantially private and informal character may be held in honour of officers on the eve of their retirement or transfer as permitted under the proviso to rule 11 of the Central Services (Conduct) Rules, 1955, and gifts of trifling value (as defined in the Explanation to rule 10(2) of the above rules) presented and accepted on such occasions, it is hardly healthy or desirable to allow the practice of accepting gifts from the staff. In spite of these instructions, instances have come to the notice of Government in which Government servant were presented with gifts of more than trifling value on the occasion of their retirement or transfer and the Government servant concerned asked for permission to accept them. It has, therefore, been decided that in future no Government servant should be given permission to accept gifts of more than trifling value at the time of his transfer. There is, however, no objection to his accepting gifts at the time of his retirement from the members of the staff, subject however, to prior permission of Government, wherever such permission is necessary.

 

[MHA OM No. 25/22/62-Ests.(A), dated 12.11.1962]