Pensioners may Face Criminal Action for Giving Wrong Information

Pensioners giving false information to the government while seeking its permission for joining an NGO or private firm within two years after their retirement may face criminal proceedings.

Making this clear, the ministry of personnel has amended existing rules and made it mandatory for the pensioners to declare that the NGO or the firm they propose to join is not involved in activities which are in conflict with or prejudicial to India’s foreign relations, national security and domestic harmony.

They need to declare that they have not been privy to sensitive or strategic information in the last three years of service, which is directly related to the areas of interest or work of the organisation, they propose to join, the new rules said.

The move assumes significance as the government has taken action against several non-government organisations for allegedly misusing foreign grant for anti-national work.

Besides, they need to give complete details of the company, they propose to join, like its PAN or Tax Identification Number, address and nature of work under the changed rules.

Pensioners will have to give a declaration saying they “agree to withdraw from the commercial employment in case of any objection by the government”.

They need to declare that they have not been privy to sensitive or strategic information in the last three years of service, which is directly related to the areas of interest or work of the organisation, they propose to join, the new rules said.

The pensioners need to give a mandatory undertaking affirming in the event of any of the information given by them is found to be false, the permission may be withdrawn without assigning any reason and that the government may consider appropriate action including “criminal proceedings”.