India, Oct. 29 -- The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a consolidated policy specifying offences-ranging from murder to association with outfits that use violence to overthrow the 'established system'-that can disqualify candidates from government jobs.

A government order issued by principal secretary (appointments) M Devraj on Wednesday states that the policy supersedes orders dating back to 1958 and lays down uniform criteria for verifying candidates' antecedents. It states that political ideology alone cannot be grounds for denying employment.

"[One's) political ideology won't serve as a ground for disqualification. [those] associated with organisations whose purpose is to force a change in the existing through violent means w...