SHLLONG: Barely twenty days after the State government debarred government servants from holding office in community based organizations, associations, traditional bodies or societies, the State Cabinet on Friday made a U-turn and amended the Meghalaya Services (Conduct) Rules, 2015, directing government servants to furnish information to the government on holding such offices.
Speaking to media persons after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said the State government had no hidden agenda in approving Meghalaya Services (Conduct) Rules, 2015 earlier this year even as he made it clear that there has been no amendment to that effect and all government servants are barred from being part of any organization, whether community based or others.
He also said that the State government has come out with the amendment since the government wants a complete clarity and it does not want any room for any misinterpretation.
Explaining the amendments, the chief minister pointed out that faith based organizations and clan based organizations have been excluded from the term – community based organization, association, traditional body or society.
Quoting the new approved amendment, the chief minister said, “The rule 20B will now be read as – A member of the service who holds office in a community based organization, association, traditional body or society shall furnish information to the government immediately on holding such office.”
“It also says – Provided that any member of the service who is already holding office in a community based organization, association, traditional body or society shall also furnish such information to the government immediately,” he said.
He further informed, “The term ‘community based organization, association, traditional body or society’ shall not include any faith based organization and clan based organization.” Cabinet had approved the amendment of Rule 20 of the Service Conduct Rules which read – “No member of the service cell except with the previous sanction of the government hold office in a community based organization, association, traditional body or society following which there was criticism from various quarters including political parties who were pressurizing the Government to de notify the order.
