Govt job appointments not to be withheld for want of character

In good news for successful candidates of government jobs, the Centre has decided not to withhold appointments letters for want of character and antecedent checks and said it would rely on their self- declaration.
However, those candidates who furnish wrong information will face criminal and legal action.
"The government has decided that the issue of appointment letters need not be withheld pending the verification of character and antecedents of successful candidates.
"The appointing authorities will issue provisional appointment letters after obtaining the attestation form and self-declaration from the candidate," a statement issued today by the Personnel Ministry said.
In the appointment letter, it will be clearly mentioned that in case character and antecedents of the candidate is found not verified or any false information is given in his or her self-declaration, the provisional appointment will be cancelled forthwith and other criminal and legal action will also be taken, as a consequence, it said.

"This decision aims to achieve the government's vision of 'minimum government and maximum governance' and deliver citizen-centric good governance," the statement said.

The decision comes as the government job appointments were getting "delayed" as the process of police verification was taking two to six months.
As per existing provisions, the appointing authorities undertake verification of character and antecedents of successful candidates before issuing the formal appointment order.
"The government has decided that now the verification of character and antecedents will be carried out but the issue of appointment letters need not be withheld pending such verification," it said.
The necessary instructions in this regard have been issued to all ministries, departments and also brought to the notice of the state governments and administrators of union territories.

The new initiatives will help check graft also.
"There have been informal feedbacks about undue gratification being demanded at the lower bureaucratic level to obtain this police verification. This contributes towards fresh incumbents entering government services with cynical attitudes towards the system," a senior Personnel Ministry official said, explaining the reasons behind the move.