Beyond doubt, doubtful, most doubtful
A controversial circular from the Narendra Modi government about rating the integrity of government servants has created a flutter in the bureaucracy. According to this circular, the integrity of government officers would now be classified as beyond doubt, doubtful, most doubtful, in their annual performance appraisal reports (APAR).
New Delhi: A controversial circular from the Narendra Modi government about rating the integrity of government servants has created a flutter in the bureaucracy. According to this circular, the integrity of government officers would now be classified as beyond doubt, doubtful, most doubtful, in their annual performance appraisal reports (APAR).
- Babus to be rated for integrity
- Govt to maintain confidential diary
On Friday, soon after the Central Secretariat opened, the confidential circular dated February 11, 2016, issued by the department of personnel and training was circulated among joint secretaries. The circular asks supervisory officers to maintain a confidential diary to note the integrity of government staff, and consult this diary when filling the integrity column in their subordinates' APAR.
They should also note the action taken by the supervisors, like making confidential departmental inquiries or referring the matter to the special police establishment for further action. The circular justifies this system by saying that reporting officers often do not make a clear and categorical noting about the integrity of the officer being appraised.
Soon after receiving this circular, personal assistants and private secretaries started consulting legal experts to understand the implications of this circular and its legal validity. A senior official said, “These secret diaries are a deadly weapon. They could be always misused by seniors and juniors and that is why nobody prefers to make it.”
