Violation of service rules may go against Faesal’s reinduction

Arun Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 11

IAS officer-turned-politician Shah Faesal, who quit politics, officials sources said had violated the civil service conduct rules and that might dash his hopes of rejoining the service, though he could question the government why his resignation had not been accepted till this date.

‘Wrong precedent’

Any concession will set a wrong precedent. His quitting politics doesn’t automatically qualify him to re-enter the services. Civil services are not a revolving door that you move out and return as per your wish. - Official sources

The Civil Service Conduct rules are coming in the way of the restoration of Shah Faesal to the services for all what he said and did before and after his resignation from the service in 2018 is gross violation of the rules. Any concession on this account will set a wrong precedent, said official sources who know the case very well.

His quitting politics doesn’t automatically qualify him to re-enter the services, the sources said. They said, “Civil services were not a revolving door that you move out and return as per your wish,” an official said.

An unspecified amount collected by him through crowd-funding and the formation of a political group as also serving detention under the PSA constitute the violation of the conduct of service rules, it was pointed out.

Moreover, Shah Faesal, according to the sources, owes money to the government as his fellowship was funded by the government.

The situation has become more complex as the government has taken no decision on his resignation for almost two years now. This leaves a window open for him to question the government over its indecision on his resignation pending with the government since 2018.

Faesal had resigned immediately after completing his Government-funded fellowship to Harvard. This has created an unprecedented situation, because all what he said and did could become a source for similar rebellion in the civil services cadre. Once this precedent is set, there is no way it could be reversed.

There, however, is a window open for him: he can question the government why his resignation was not accepted till date. That is where the government is having no answers, for it could not have taken almost two years to decide on his resignation.