Lucknow, Oct. 29 -- The Uttar Pradesh government has tightened character-verification rules for direct recruitment to government jobs, barring candidates associated with organisations that advocate changing the existing social or political system through violence.
The guidelines, issued by Principal Secretary (Appointment and Personnel) M. Devaraj, cover state departments, corporations, boards, councils and local bodies. However, political ideology alone cannot be grounds for rejecting an applicant, and each case will be assessed individually.
Devaraj said candidates found involved in violence during protests would not be eligible for government jobs. The mere registration of an FIR or pendency of an investigation, however, will not automatically lead to disqualification. Acquittals, compromises and cases covered under juvenile-justice law will also not result in automatic rejection.
Under the revised norms, serious offences, including murder, rape, dacoity, corruption, terrorism, examination-paper leaks and involvement with "solver gangs", can lead to permanent disqualification.
Participation in violent activities after the age of 21 and within three years preceding character verification may be treated as evidence of continued involvement, though candidates can submit credible evidence of a genuine change in conduct.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.