New Delhi: All central government employees have been asked to ensure high ethics, political neutrality and take steps to resolve any conflicts in a way that protects the public interest, as per the amended service rules.


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The Modi-government has issued 18 new commandments for its employees and asked them to maintain responsiveness to the public, particularly to the weaker section of the society.


The Central Civil Services (Conduct) (Third Amendment) Rules, 2014, notified by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) recently, also make it mandatory for employees to "make choices, take decisions and make recommendations on merit lone".


Every government servant shall at all times maintain high ethical standards and honesty, political neutrality, promote the principles of merit, fairness and impartiality in the discharge of duties, maintain accountability and transparency, maintain responsiveness to the public, particularly to the weaker section and take decisions solely in public interest and use or cause to use public resources efficiently, effectively and economically, the amended rules said.


They should also maintain courtesy and good behaviour with the public, commit himself to and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and democratic values, defend and uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, decency and morality, and declare any private interests relating to his public duties and take steps to resolve any conflicts in a way that protects the public interest, it said.


The employee shall not place himself under any financial or other obligations to any individual or organisation which may influence him in the performance of his official duties; misuse his position as civil 'servant and not take decisions in order to derive financial or material benefits for himself, his family or his friends, the rules said.


They shall make choices, take decisions and make recommendations on merit alone; act with fairness and impartiality and not discriminate against anyone, particularly the poor and the under-privileged sections of society and refrain from doing anything which is or may be contrary to any law, rules, regulations and established practises, it said.


The government employees shall maintain discipline in the discharge of his duties and be liable to implement the lawful orders duly communicated to him and perform and discharge his duties with the highest degree of professionalism and dedication to the best of his abilities.


They should maintain confidentiality in the performance of their official duties as required by any laws for the time being in force, particularly with regard to information, disclosure of which may prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, friendly relation with foreign nations or lead to incitement of an offence, illegal or unlawful gain to any person, the rules said.


The DoPT had in August this year also amended all India services rules to include these commandments for IAS, IPS and IFoS officials.