The ubiquitous Diwali gifts government servants have gotten used to accepting from business houses and individuals has come under the Central Vigilance Commission scanner.
A circular issued by the commission cites conduct rules that provides that no government servant shall accept or permit any member of his family or any other person acting on his behalf to accept any gift except on occasions like weddings, anniversaries or religious functions.
"The practice of Public Sector Undertakings of sending gifts to government servants unnecessarily embarrasses them and puts them in a dilemma," the circular issued by Deputy Secretary Mange Lal said.
The gifts are to be provided only to promote commercial or business interests and need not, therefore, be sent to government officials, who are only doing their duty, it said and cautioned the PSU, banks and other institutions that they may follow the advice with immediate effect.
The CVC was of the view that such practice should be discouraged.
It also sought a report from the Central Vigilance Officers appointed by the CVC in every PSU on the gift policy of the company in the current year and the actual expenditure incurred by them as festival gifts.
It also called for submission of special report by January 15 next year, which would be a continuing process thereafter.
The commission also included festivals like Christmas and New Year in its circular.
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