||Black and White Digital News ||

||Parvinder Singh June 20,2024||

In a move to balance good governance with adequate protection for public servants, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir’s General Administration Department has issued new guidelines aimed at addressing the rising number of false, frivolous, and anonymous complaints. The circular, dated June 20, 2024, outlines detailed instructions for lodging, handling, and verifying complaints while establishing robust safeguards for public servants.

Key Measures Include Legal and Institutional Support.

The circular specifies the following key measures to be taken against false complainants:

1.Prosecution Under IPC and CrPC: False complainants will face prosecution under section 182 of the Indian Penal Code and section 195(1)(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

2.Departmental Actions: Public servants found making false complaints may face departmental actions as an alternative to legal prosecution.

3. Institutional Support: Public servants affected by false complaints will receive institutional support, including assistance in approaching the Crime Branch, J&K, and facilitating civil lawsuits for damages.

Efforts to Maintain Transparency and Good Governance:

The circular also emphasizes the importance of transparency and good governance by:

Issuing formal press notes on a monthly basis regarding complaints and inquiries.

Conducting inquiries involving publications, with potential actions against complicit entities, including reporting to the Press Council of India.

Impact on Public Administration

These guidelines aim to protect honest public servants from unwarranted harassment, ensuring their mental well-being and decision-making capabilities are not adversely affected. By mitigating the impact of false complaints, the government seeks to prevent administrative inertia and improve the overall efficiency of public service delivery.

This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to maintaining a corruption-free and responsive administrative system while safeguarding the interests of its public servants.