Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions on Monday, 31 May, amended the Central Civil Services (Pensions) Rules, 1972, adding new clauses that restrain officers who have worked in intelligence or any security-related organisations, from publishing sensitive information.
The rules, now to be referred as The Central Civil Services (Pensions) Amendment Rules, 2020 include conditions denying the concerned officers from sharing any material on "domain of the organisation" and its personnel.
“No government servant, who has worked in any intelligence or security-related organisation shall make any publication after retirement without prior clearance from the head of organisation,” the statement by Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions read.
The scope of material which is barred from sharing includes:
- Information relating to the domain of the organisation, including reference or information about any personnel and his designation, and expertise or knowledge gained by virtue of working in that organisation
- Any “sensitive” information determined so by the head of the organisation concerned, who will decide whether the matter for publication is sensitive or not, or falls in the domain of the organisation
According to a report by the Indian Express, these substitute clauses denote the possibility of one’s pension being withheld/withdrawn in case of transgressions. These can also impact retired officials who write in newspapers and magazines, or author books relating to their former organisations and experiences.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)