IAS, IPS Officers Barred From Accepting Private Awards Without Permission

Bhubaneswar: The central government has made prior approval mandatory for IAS, IPS and IFoS officers before accepting any award from private organisation and it should not have any monetary component in cash or in terms of facilities.

While stating that the officers continue to accept awards or recognition accorded by private bodies, despite the existing instructions, the Personnel Ministry on Thursday said the competent authority may grant approval, only in exceptional circumstances, to the officers and in such cases, credentials of the private bodies/institutions/organisations should be unimpeachable.

The department issued the following instructions:

• Awards given by Private Bodies/Institutions/Organisations may be accepted only with prior approval of Competent Authority.
• In case of officers serving in the State, the Competent Authority would be the State Government.
• In case of officers serving in the Centre, the Competent Authority would be the Secretary of the Ministry/Department concerned. In case of Secretaries to Government of India, the Competent Authority would be the Cabinet Secretary.
• The Competent Authority may grant approval, only in exceptional circumstances subject to the following conditions:

(a) The award should not have any monetary component in the form of cash and/or facilities.
(b) Credentials of the Private Bodies/Institutions/Organisations should be unimpeachable.

The department has requested all ministries, departments of Union Government and State/UT governments to ensure strict adherence to these guidelines.

The guidelines assume significance considering the criticism faced by certain officers in different states, including Odisha, for receiving awards from dubious organisations. It is even alleged that such awards are ‘procured’ to enhance the reputation of officers in an environment where propaganda has become the in-thing.