New Delhi (India) October 29: The Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh has updated recruitment rules to disqualify candidates associated with outfits endorsing violent change to the established systems from state government jobs.
The new regulations will also prevent any candidates subject to such serious allegations from holding government jobs indefinitely.
UP Government Issues New Rules
State government departments, public sector corporations, boards and urban and rural local bodies are among the entities to which the guidelines apply. They were issued on Wednesday by Principal Secretary (Appointment and Personnel) M Devaraj at the high court's direction.
The circular states that the candidate shall not be considered for Government job if he/she is a member of any organisation which aims to change or destabilize 'vidyaman vyavastha' by means of violence.
The fresh rules, however, have made it clear that a candidate's political ideology cannot be reason for disqualification. The registration of a FIR or the mere pendency of the investigation will not disqualify a candidate.
Three-Year Activity Check
The guidelines provided for the three-year period when it comes to evaluating whether a candidate has been involved in activities which promote violent alterations to the status quo.
If such activities were experienced within three years prior to the day of verification, after the applicant is 21 years old, the authorities will assume that person still actively engages in them.
Yet, authorities will accept written evidence that the prisoner has sincerely changed for the better over this time span.
Verification Rules Relaxed
The fresh instructions additionally intend to stop delays within the appointment processes considering uncertain verifications. The appointment letters will not be held back just for incomplete character verification.
Authorities may also deliver a provisional appointment letter on the basis of self declaration and undertaking of the candidate. In case any information is found to be false, appointment shall be terminated and criminal proceedings shall be started.
The instructions further include limits on verification to avoid hounding applicants. Police and intel agencies have been directed not to visit the homes of applicants to interrogate them, and the applicants will not be called to the police station in person.
Samajwadi Party Criticises Order
The Samajwadi Party has criticised the Yogi government order as similar to the British Raj.
An SP official said, "Such orders were issued during the British colonial era, when the British ruled India. In independent India, however, the right to protest is a constitutional guarantee. A change in regime occurs through legal, established processes-it happens after every election, and anyone is free to participate. The current government operates with an intimidatory mindset, which is why we are seeing decrees reminiscent of the British colonial period."