Taming corruption: Civil servants need to take permission before accepting gifts over Rs. 5,000

By NewsGram Staff Writer

The gift rules for the civil servants have been tweaked, as now they need to take Centre's permission before accepting gifts over Rs. 5,000.

The recently modified all India Service rules also state that the officers may accept gifts from close relatives and friends with whom they do not have any official dealings on functions such as weddings, anniversaries, funerals and religious events. However, the government must be kept in loop if the officers accept gifts worth more than Rs. 25,000 from their friends or relatives.

The rules also state that free transportation, boarding and lodging or financial benefits given by a person other than close relative or friend having no official business with the member of the service will be regarded as a gift. However, the rules declare that casual lift, casual meals or other social generosity do not come in the ambit of gifts.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has notified the All-India Services (Conduct) Amendment Rules, 2015.

"The rules have been amended and ministries concerned have been told to bring them into the notice of all IAS, IPS and IFoS officers," a DoPT official said.

He also added that, "(Earlier), they were to inform government after receiving gifts from near relatives, friends, or on occasions such as wedding, anniversaries, funerals and religious functions if their value exceeded Rs 5,000."