Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has revised character verification rules for candidates selected through direct recruitment, allowing authorities to consider evidence of involvement in violent activities when assessing eligibility for government employment.
The changes, introduced by the government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, come amid a political controversy surrounding calls for “regime change” during recent protests.
According to a report by Hindi news portal Prabhasakshi, the order was issued by M Devraj, Principal Secretary of the Appointment and Personnel Department. The revised rules apply to government departments, corporations, councils, authorities and local bodies.
FIR or Political Beliefs Alone Cannot Disqualify Candidates
The revised norms clarify that candidates cannot be rejected solely because a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against them or an investigation is pending. Holding a particular political belief is also not, by itself, grounds for disqualification.
However, authorities may consider the circumstances covered by the verification rules, including evidence of involvement in violent activities, while assessing a candidate's character and suitability for government service.
The reported guidelines also address conduct after the age of 21. According to the report, involvement in specified activities within the three years preceding the verification date may be treated as evidence of continued active involvement unless credible evidence demonstrates a change in conduct.
Police Verification Deadline
The report states that police must submit character verification reports within 30 days.
Existing government employees will not be required to undergo the process again under the revised arrangement. However, authorities may seek information about their conduct from departments where they previously worked.
The changes place emphasis on the circumstances of a candidate's conduct rather than treating the existence of a criminal case or a political viewpoint as automatic grounds for rejection.
Rules Introduced Amid SIR Political Dispute
The development comes amid a wider political confrontation over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Congress and other parties in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc have raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the electoral revision process and demanded accountability from the Election Commission of India.
Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders participated in a “March for Democracy” towards the Supreme Court on October 12, according to the supplied report.
The INDIA bloc has also announced a “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao” rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and action over allegations of vote theft.
The revised recruitment rules and the opposition's electoral-roll campaign are separate developments, although both have emerged amid heightened political tensions.
Editorial note: Verify the original Uttar Pradesh government order and its precise wording before publication, particularly the definition of covered activities, the three-year period and the police verification deadline.
