OROP issue hots up, government puts curbs on officials communicating with PM Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: A year after it urged government officials to share ideas and interact directly with the prime minister through his portal, the government has placed curbs on military personnel, defence ministry officials and scientists communicating directly with Narendra Modi.

Swamped by a mountain of letters to the PM from government servants, including serving army personnel who are upset over the ‘One Rank, One Pension’ (OROP) issue, Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha has issued strict instructions that all communication be routed through the official line — passed through the head of department to higher authorities.

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Warning that violations would be ‘viewed seriously’, Sinha has asked babus to enforce the rules and take “appropriate action” against violators.

In a note to various departments, Sinha has said that “of late, it has been observed” that government servants, including “paramilitary forces and even army personnel”, are writing directly to the PM, which is a “violation of conduct rules”.

Sinha’s letter, dated August 17, has now been circulated across government offices, including South Block. DRDO Chief S Christopher, for instance, has asked for a strict compliance of rules and has written to all scientists on the matter.

Sinha’s letter is in sharp contrast to a communication sent by PM’s principal secretary Nripendra Misra in June last year where government servants were urged to directly interact with Modi through the PMO website.

The idea, according to a circular then sent, was to receive new thoughts and suggestions on reforms and changes in governance. But there has been overwhelming communication by government employees on the PMO portal, which has become difficult for officials to handle, said people familiar with the matter.

In several cases, including that of serving nuclear scientist Pashupati Rao that was reported by ET, the PMO had merely sent back suggestions or feedback as ‘grievances’ to the heads of department, landing employees in trouble.