CBDT Muzzles Staff From Airing Views To Press & Threatens Disciplinary Action For “Serious Misconduct”

The CBDT has issued a directive dated 20.03.2017 stating that some Government servants are unauthorisedly communicating with the Press either in their own name or in pseudonymous names. It has warned that such unauthorised communication with the Press is a “serious misconduct” which is liable to appropriate action (including disciplinary action). The CBDT has directed the concerned cadre controlling authorities to view such misconduct seriously.

No. B-12020/02/2017-Ad.IX
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
(Central Board of Direct Taxes)
460, Hotel Samrat, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi, 20th March, 2017

To

All Pr. Chief Commissioners of Income Tax (CCAs)
All Pr. Director Generals of Income Tax

Subject:-Contact with the Press and airing of views on official matters through the Press.

Sir/Madam,

It has been observed that some Government servants have been unauthorisedly communicating with the Press either in their own name or in pseudonymous names. Instructions have been issued from time to time restraining all Government servants from communicating with the Press unauthorisedly but it is observed that the provisions of the Conduct Rules are not being followed in letter and spirit.

2. The provisions of Rule 11 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1965 and Rule 9 of the AIS (Conduct) Rules, 1968 referred to above and paras 110 and 113 of the Manual of Office Procedure may be brought to the notice of all It is once again reiterated that violation of the provisions of Conduct Rules and other corresponding provisions amounts to a serious misconduct and is liable to appropriate action (including disciplinary action). The concerned cadre controlling authorities are advised to view such misconduct seriously.

3. The employees under your Charge may, therefore, be suitably informed of the aforesaid instructions under the Conduct Rules issued by DoPT and refrain from communicating with the Press and airing of views on official matters.

Yours faithfully,
(Sudhir Kumar)
Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India (Admn.), CBDT
Tel: 23094257