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Mr Rahul Gandhi as usual trying to mislead with half truth; this time pensioners

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swadesi
swadesi
An ordinary citizen who believes what's Right is always Right

Yesterday Mr Rahul Gandhi shared a tweet with the caption “Alethophobia- the fear of truth” with a cropped image stating “New pension rules are a gag order, say rattled ex- security, intel officers. This amendment to Rule 8 means that pension can be withheld or withdrawn if the pensioner disobeys the rules- the retired official will have to sign an undertaking to this effect”.

So here is a truth about what the amendment was and what was portrayed by Mr Gandhi.

In the year 2008, when DR Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister of India and Congress was in power, I came across an Office Memorandum dated 9 April 2009 which was notified by “Government of India, Ministry of Personnel PG & Pensions Department of Personnel & Training” which had the subject: Guidelines to regulate the publications by retired officers on any sensitive information. In simple words the Amended Rule 8 in sub rule (3A) for clause (a) says “

Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-rule (3), no Government servant, who, having worked in any Intelligence or Security-related organisation, shall, without prior clearance from the Head of the Organisation, make any publication after retirement, of any material relating to and including (i) domain of the organisation, including any reference or information about any personnel and his designation, and expertise or knowledge gained by virtue of working in that organisation; (ii) sensitive information, the disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, or relation with a foreign State or which would lead to incitement of an offence.

Here the only Amendment made from the previous rule in 2008 are “(i) domain of the organisation, including any reference or information about any personnel and his designation, and expertise or knowledge gained by virtue of working in that organisation;” the point above was not in the Rule 8 in 2008. Every line and word apart from this remains unchanged.

But Mr. Rahul Gandhi laid emphasis on the Pension loss for retired personnel if they breach or disobey the above and he says in his tweet “This amendment to Rule 8 mens that pension can be withheld or withdrawn if the pensioner disobeys the rules- the retired official will have to sign an undertaking to this effect”.

Further, after referring to the Rule in 2008, I noted the clause and provision around the withholding or withdrawing of the pension remains the same. Further, the rule includes an undertaking in FORM 26 (sub rile (3A) of Rule 8 which includes the lines mentioned in Rahul Gandhi;s tweet. To my surprise this undertaking was same in 2008 and there has been no change in the undertaking. Refer to the snip from 2008 and 2021. Refer to the links below:

2008 Rule 8 27012_2_2007-Estt.A-09042008.pdf (doptcirculars.nic.in)

2021 Rule 8 Amended link 227308.pdf (egazette.nic.in)

Further, look at the Form 26 which remains unchanged

To conclude Mr Gandhi shared the tweet which had no amendments in pensions but in other clauses of the Rule.

Further, The purpose of Amendment was moved promptly by concern arising out of the fact that some high-profile retried officer had written books on their tenure, and some of these had reveled information which was highly sensitive.

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swadesi
swadesi
An ordinary citizen who believes what's Right is always Right
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