Context: Center has amended pension rules for Civil services. Restrictions on government servants before and after retirement under CCS conduct rules.
Amendment in pension rules and its consequences

• The Centre has amended pension rules for civil servants [working in organizations mentioned in the Second Schedule of the RTI Act].

It restricts former officials of security and intelligence organizations under the 2nd Schedule of the RTI Act from writing anything without prior clearance. Such information includes;

• The domain of the organization, including reference or information about any personnel and his designation.
• Information relating to their expertise or knowledge gained by virtue of working in that organization.
• Sensitive information that might endanger India’s sovereignty and integrity, security, geopolitical, scientific, or economic interests, or its relationship with a foreign state.

The Second Schedule of the RTI Act includes 26 organizations, including IB, Research and Analysis Wing, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Economic Intelligence Bureau, Directorate of Enforcement, NCB, Aviation Research Centre, Special Frontier Force, BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, NSG, Assam Rifles, SSB, CID and Andaman, and Nicobar.

Consequences of the amendment

• The amendment means that pension can be withheld or withdrawn if the pensioner disobeys the said rules.

Why center has amended the rule?

• There are some incidents where some high profile retired police and intelligence agency officials have sensitive revealed information in books. Or they regularly write columns in newspapers and magazines.
• As a result, the Centre has amended the pension rule to prohibit retired officials from publishing information without prior clearance.

What restrictions are government employees under CCS Conduct Rules while in service?

• Rule 7: It restricts them from resorting to or abetting any form of strike or coercion.
• Rule 8: It restricts them from owning or participating in the editing or management of any newspaper or media.
• If they write or speak in public media, they shall at all times make it clear that the opinions expressed are their own and not that of the Government.
• Rule 9: Restricts them from making statements of fact or opinion in writing or in a telecast or a broadcast that criticize any current or recent policy or action of the Central Government or a State Government.

What about political activity while in service?

• The Conduct Rules bars government servants from being associated with any political party and from taking part or assisting any political activity.
• Every government employee shall at all times maintain political neutrality.
• Every government employee commits himself to and upholds the supremacy of the Constitution and democratic values.
• But after retirement, they can join politics and there is no cooling-off period. However, rules restricts a pensioner from any commercial employment for one year after retirement.