CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News /Agencies/ Bhopal: Lucknow. The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Samajwadi Party have come face to face over new rules for character verification for government jobs in Uttar Pradesh. Under the Yogi Adityanath government’s new recruitment policy, candidates found involved in violent activities may be considered ineligible for government employment. The Samajwadi Party, however, has questioned the arrangement, calling it a step that could restrict protests and democratic rights.
What does the new recruitment policy say? The state government has issued new guidelines on the process of character and antecedent verification for direct recruitment in government departments, corporations, councils, autonomous institutions, panchayats and local bodies. Under these, candidates may be considered ineligible for appointment if prescribed conditions are met in cases such as murder, rape, dowry death, serious violent crimes, paper leaks, cheating rackets and cyber fraud.
The policy also mentions cases involving participation in activities aimed at changing the system through violent methods. However, a candidate cannot be declared ineligible for a job merely for supporting a political ideology or demanding a change of government. Ineligibility will also not apply automatically merely because an FIR has been registered or an investigation is pending.
SP raises questions over democratic rights. Objecting to the new policy, the Samajwadi Party said that in a democracy, raising one’s voice against the government and holding peaceful protests are citizens’ rights. Party leaders alleged that such rules could be used to intimidate young people who protest. The opposition says demanding a change of government is not in itself an unlawful activity. While deciding a candidate’s eligibility, a distinction should be made between allegations against the person and the actual circumstances.
The BJP government’s position and the verification timeline. According to the guidelines issued by the government, the aim is to streamline the character verification process and prevent unnecessary delays in appointments. For general posts, provisional appointment may be given before verification is completed, while detailed scrutiny will be necessary for sensitive posts. The police and the local intelligence unit will have to submit the verification report within 30 days.
If adverse information emerges during verification, there is also a provision to give the candidate concerned an opportunity to present their side. If incorrect information is provided or important facts are concealed, the appointment may be cancelled and action may be taken as per rules. The central point of dispute over the new policy is how to maintain a balance between curbing serious violent activities and protecting citizens’ democratic rights. Political debate between the government and the opposition on the issue continues.
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