Indian Express:Chandigarh:Thursday, July 12, 2012.
In a move, which is being termed as a “gag order” to restrict government employees from seeking information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Haryana government on Wednesday barred the teaching and non-teaching staff members of the education department from visiting the directorate, office of RTI commissioner, secretariat or district headquarter offices without taking prior permission from competent authority.
The circular issued by director (Secondary Education) and addressed to all district education officers, district elementary education officers and block education officers mentioned that in case of any violation, the competent authority will be free to launch disciplinary action against such employees.
According to the circular, the authority will issue a slip to the staff member wishing to visit the directorate or district headquarters offices and make an entry of the same in a register. The staff member will produce this letter in the directorate or headquarters offices, mentioning the purpose of the visit in a register. This register will be maintained by the registrar (Education) or deputy district education officer who, in turn, will inform the concerned officer about purpose of his visit. When the staff member will leave, he will again have to record his departure.
“Strict action will be taken against the official found absent from his place of posting or the headquarters. His unbecoming conduct will be recorded in his Annual Confidential Report, which will be taken into consideration at the time of promotion,” the circular added.
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