No UP govt jobs for those involved in violent activities seeking ‘regime change’ | Lucknow News

UP govt has clarified, however, that political ideology alone cannot be a ground for declaring a candidate ineligible for a government job.

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government has revised its recruitment guidelines to make candidates associated with organisations advocating violent changes to the established system ineligible for state government jobs.The new rules also permanently bar candidates implicated in certain serious offences from government employment.The guidelines were issued on Wednesday by Principal Secretary (Appointment and Personnel) M Devaraj, following directives from the high court. They apply to all state government departments, public sector corporations, boards, and urban and rural local bodies.According to the circular, membership of an organisation that seeks to alter the “vidyaman vyavastha” (established system) through violent methods will make a candidate ineligible for government employment.The order, however, distinguishes between political beliefs and support for violence.“(One’s) political ideology won’t serve as a ground for disqualifying anyone from holding government jobs,” the order reads. It, however, adds that those “associated with organisations whose ‘sankalpit uddeshya’ or avowed purpose is to force a regime change through violent means will be considered ineligible.”The revised rules also permanently disqualify candidates implicated in serious offences, including murder, dacoity, rape, outraging modesty, corruption, acts of terror, recruitment examination paper leaks and organised “solver gang” rackets.The guidelines set out a three-year period for assessing a candidate’s involvement in activities related to violent changes to the established system.If an applicant has participated in such activities within three years before the verification date, after attaining 21 years of age, authorities will presume that the person remains actively involved.However, officials may consider documented evidence showing a genuine positive change in the candidate’s conduct and mindset during this period.The government has also clarified that a first information report (FIR) or an ongoing police investigation will not, by itself, lead to disqualification.Candidates who have been acquitted, resolved cases through lawful compromises, or whose cases fall under the Juvenile Justice Act will not face automatic rejection.Existing state government employees will not need fresh character verification. However, authorities may seek relevant service records from their previous parent departments.The new guidelines also seek to prevent delays in recruitment caused by pending verification reports. Appointment letters will not be withheld solely because character verification is incomplete.Appointing authorities may issue provisional appointment letters on the basis of a candidate’s self-declaration and prescribed undertakings. If any information is subsequently found to be false, the appointment will be cancelled and criminal proceedings initiated.Under the revised procedure, district police and the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) must submit character verification reports within 30 days of receiving a request. The state home department will directly monitor compliance with the deadline.The guidelines also place restrictions on verification procedures to prevent harassment of applicants. Police and intelligence officials have been instructed not to visit candidates’ homes for questioning, and applicants will not be required to appear physically at police stations.If a verification report is adverse, the district magistrate must give the candidate an opportunity to present their side, either in person or online, before forwarding a final adverse recommendation, the order said.(With inputs from PTI)