PPCB says no record of gifts received by officials

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 5

An interesting RTI application was filed at the Public Information Officer, office of the Chief Engineer, Punjab Pollution Control Board, asking to provide a copy of the relevant rule showing monetary limit fixed by the Punjab Government above which public servants are bound to declare the gifts received by them.

Secondly, applicant Rohit Sabharwal has asked to provide information showing the total number of public servants (in PPCB) who have declared gifts received by them from October 1, 2017 to November 30, 2019.

While replying to the application, the PPCB authorities have said that there is no such record available with the department. Further, it says that as per the guidelines under RTI Act, the department is not bound to prepare such list.

On being asked the reason for putting such an application, RTI applicant Sabharwal said as per the Punjab Civil Services Rules Volume 1 (part 11), no government employee shall accept or permit any member of his family or any other person, acting on his behalf, accept any gift.

The explanation given under this rule by the state government is that the expression “gift” shall include free transport, boarding, lodging or other service or any other pecuniary advantage when provided to any person other than a relative or personal friend having no official dealing with the government.

A casual meal, gift or other social hospitality shall not be deemed to be a gift. A government employee shall avoid accepting lavish hospitality or frequent hospitality from any individual having official dealings with him or from industrial or commercial firms or organisations.

Further, the rules say that on occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, funerals or religious functions, when the making of a gift is in conformity with the prevailing religious or social practice, a government employee can accept gifts from his near relatives but shall make a report to the prescribed authority if the value of gifts exceed Rs 7,000 (Group A post), Rs 4,000 (Group B post), Rs 2,000 (Group C post) and Rs 1,000 (group D post).