The Railway Services (Conduct) Rules, 1966 - Part 1
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The Railway Services (Conduct) Rules, 1966
Part 1
Rules 1 to 5
Rule-1. Short Title:
(1) These rules may be called the Railway Services (Conduct) Rules, 1966.
(2) They shall come into force at once.(i.e. 21-03-1966)
Rule-2. Definitions:
In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires-
(a) 'Government' means, in relation to-
(i) gazetted officers holding posts in the Railway Board, the President;
(ii) other gazetted officers, the Railway Board;
(iii) non-gazetted officers, in the Railway Board, the Secretary, Railway Board;
(iv) other non-gazetted officers in offices directly the administrative control of the Railway Board, the heads of the offices concerned; and
(v) other non-gazetted officers, the General Managers of the Railway Administrations concerned; Provided that for purposes of sub-rules(2) and (3) of rule 5 ,sub-rule (1) of rule 8, sub-rule (1) of rule 10, rule 12, rule 14, sub-rules (1) and (3) of rule 15, sub-rule (3) of rule 16, sub-rule (1) of rule 19 and rule 21, 'Government' means the Railway Board in the case of all non-gazetted railway servants.
(b) 'railway servant' means a railway servant as defined in rule 103 (43) of the Indian Railway Establishment Code.
Indian Railway Establishment Code Rule 103 (43) says “Railway servant means a person who is member of a service or holds a post under the administrative control of the Railway Board. It also includes a person who is holding the post of Chairman, Financial Commissioner or a Member of the Railway Board. Persons lent from a service or post which is not under the administrative control of the Railway Board to a service or post which is under such administrative control do not come within the scope of this definition. The term excludes casual labour.”
Explanation: A railway servant whose services are placed at the disposal of company, corporation, organisation or a local authority shall, for the purposes of these rules, be deemed to be a railway servant notwithstanding that his salary is drawn from sources other than the Consolidated Fund of India.
(c) 'members of family' in relation to a railway servant includes-
(i) the wife or husband, as the case may be, of the railway servant, whether residing with the railway servant or not but does not include a wife or husband as the case may be, separated from the railway servant by a decree or order of a competent court;
(ii) son or daughter or step-son or step-daughter of the railway servant and wholly dependent on him, but does not include a child or step-child who is no longer in any way dependent on the railway servant or of whose custody the railway servant has been deprived by or under any law;
(iii) any other person related whether by blood or marriage to the railway servant or to the railway servant's wife or husband, and wholly dependent on the railway servant.
Railway Ministry’s decision: The son/daughter will come within the purview of this rule only if he or she is dependent upon the Railway servant. (E(D&A) 77GS-13 dt. 14-7-1977.)
Railway Board’s important letters on time limits for grant of permission etc.
No. E(D&A)89 GS1-11 dt. 24-10-1989
Sub:- Conduct Rules - time limit Beyond Which permission may be assumed to have been granted by the competent authority in the absence of any communication from him.
Under certain provisions in the Railway Services(Conduct) rules, 1966, exercise of a right available to a railway servant/availing of an opportunity which may come his way is subject to the prior permission of the Government. In order to ensure that such a right opportunity is not inconvenienced or rendered infructuous because of delay on the part of the Government to grant necessary permission, it has been decided that the following time limits should be observed for granting or refusing permission in respect of the undermentioned provisions of the Conduct Rules where prior permission of the Government is required:-
| S. No. | Rule Nos. | Provisions relating to | Time limit for grant of permission |
| 1 | 8 (2) | Connection with press or radio | 30 days |
| 13 (5) | Gifts | 30 days | |
| 18 (2) & 18 (3) | Transactions in movable and immovable property | 30 days | |
| 2 | 19 (1) | Vindication of acts and character of Government Servant | 6 weeks |
| 3 | 18-A | Transactions in immovable property outside India or with foreigners | 60 days |
2. The above time limits will be reckoned from the date of receipt of the request of the railway servant for granting of permission under the relevant rules by the competent authority of his office. An acknowledgment showing the date of receipt of the request should be given to the employee whenever the employee’s request under the rules is received. In case the competent authority fails to communicate its decision to the concerned railway servant within the time limit indicated above, the employee concerned shall be free to assume that the permission has been granted.
3. The above instructions may be brought to the notice of all authorities exercising powers under the relevant provisions of the Railway services(Conduct) Rules, 1966 and may be advised to ensure that all requests of railway servants under the aforesaid rules are dealt with expeditiously so that no occasion arises where a railway servant may be enabled to act on the assumption that the permission has been granted in his case on account of the failure of the competent authority to convey its decision within the stipulated time.
Rule-3. General:
(1) Every railway servant shall at all times-
(i) maintain absolute integrity;
(ii) maintain devotion to duty; and
(iii) do nothing which is unbecoming of a railway or government servant.
(2) (i) Every railway servant holding a supervisory post shall take all possible steps to ensure the integrity and devotion to duty of all railway servants for the time being under his control and authority;
(ii) no railway servant shall, in the performance of his official duties or in the exercise of powers conferred on him, act otherwise than in his best judgment except when he is acting under the direction of his official superior;
(iii) the direction of the official superior shall ordinarily be in writing, and where the issue of oral direction becomes unavoidable, the official superior shall confirm it in writing immediately thereafter; and
(iv) a railway servant who has received oral direction from his official superior, shall seek confirmation of the same in writing as early as possible, whereupon it shall be the duty of the official superior to confirm the direction in writing.
Explanation-1: A railway servant who habitually fails to perform the task assigned to him within the time set for the purpose and with the quality of performance expected of him shall be deemed to be lacking in the duty within the meaning of clause (ii) of sub-rule (1).
Explanation-2: Nothing in clause(ii) of sub-rule(2) shall be construed as empowering a railway servant to evade his responsibilities by seeking instructions from or approval of a superior officer or authority when such instructions are not necessary under the scheme of distribution of powers and responsibilities. (Authority: Railway Board’s letter No. E(D&A) 86/GS 1-5 dt 14-07-1986.)
Railway Ministry's decision: In the light of the provisions of Rule 3 (2) (ii) it is impressed upon all Railway servants that-
(i) Oral instructions should not, as far as possible, be issued by senior officers to their subordinates;
(ii) if the oral instructions are issued by any senior officer they should be confirmed by him in writing immediately thereafter;
(iii) If a junior officer seeks confirmation to the oral instructions given by the senior, the latter should confirm it in writing, whenever such confirmation is sought;
(iv) a junior officer who has received oral orders from his superior officer should seek confirmation in writing as early as practicable;
(v) Whenever a member of the personal staff of Minister communicates an oral order on behalf of the Minister, it should be confirmed by him in writing immediately thereafter;
(vi) if a junior officer received oral instructions from the Minister or from his personal staff and the orders are in accordance with the normal rules, regulations or procedures, they should be brought to the notice of the Secretary, or the concerned Members of the Railway Board or the Head of the Department, as the case may be, for information.
(vii) if a junior officer received oral instructions from the Minister or from his personal staff and the orders are not in accordance with the norms, rules, regulations or procedures, they should seek further clear orders from the Secretary, the concerned Member of the Railway Board or the Head of the Department, as the case may be, about the line of action to be taken stating clearly that the oral instructions are not in accordance with the rules, regulations, norms, or procedures. (No.E(D&A) 78GSI-9 dt 14-12-78).
Railway Board’s important letters on Rule 3
No. E(D&A)90 GS1-6 dt. 12-07-1990
Sub: Railway Services (Conduct Rules),1966 - Clarifications regarding Rule 3(2)(i)- Acceptance of gratification -Role of Supervisory staff.
1. Rule 3 (2) (i) of the Railway Services(Conduct) Rules, 1966 provides as under: “Every Railway servant holding a supervisory post shall take all possible steps to ensure the integrity and devotion to duty of all Railway servants for the time being under his control and authority”.
2. Vide Board’s letter No. E(D&A)73GS1-11, dated 27-10-1973, instructions were issued clarifying that the above rule is intended to be invoked only in cases where there has been a failure on the part of the Supervisory Officers concerned to take all reasonable and necessary steps to ensure the integrity and devotion to duty of Governments under his control and authority.
3. Of late, a number of instances have come to the notice of the Board where subordinates of Supervisory Officers were found having accepted illegal gratification. It would indicate that there has been failure on the part of the Supervisory Officers in taking necessary action as enjoined in the Conduct Rules.
4. A copy of Board's letter dated 27.10.1973 along with its enclosures is again sent herewith. Board desire to reiterate the instructions contained therein. It is further clarified that if any evidence is found that the Supervisory Officer concerned was aware of the acceptance of the illegal gratification or the proclivity of his staff in the matter of indulgence in such illegal act and even then he did not take necessary action departmentally and/or through Central Bureau of Investigation, a view would be taken that the officer concerned has failed to act upon the aforesaid instructions. In that event, Rule 3 (2) (i) of the Railway Services (Conduct) Rules, 1966 would be invoked and disciplinary action initiated against the delinquent supervisory officer.
5.Board desire that the contents of this letter may be suitably brought to the notice of all concerned for guidance.
Copy of the Board's circular letter No. E(D&A)73 GS1-11 dated 27.10.1973 to the General Managers, All Indian Railways and Production Units. etc.
Sub: Railway Services (Conduct) Rules, 1966 - Clarification regarding Rule 3 (2) (i).
A copy of the cabinet Sectt. (Department of Personnel)'s O.M. No. 25/2/72-Estt.(A), dated 10.11.73 regarding clarification of rule 3(2)(i) of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 which corresponds to Rule 3(2)(i) of the RS(Conduct) Rules, 1966 is sent herewith. The Board desire that the contents thereof may please be brought to the notice of all concerned for guidance.
Copy of DOP's O.M. No. 25/2/72-Estt.(A), dt.10.1.73.
Sub: CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964-Rule 3(2)(i)-Clarification regarding.
1. The undersigned is directed to invite the attention of the Ministry of Finance etc. to the Rule 3 (2) (i) of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 under which every Government servant holding a supervisory post shall take all possible steps to ensure the integrity and devotion to duty of all Government servants or the time being under his control and authority.
2. The National Council set up under the Machinery for Joint Consultation and Compulsory Arbitration, in its meeting held on 28.7.72 adopted a recommendation of the Committee set up by the Council to consider the item' Amendment of the CCS(Conduct) Rules'1964 to the effect that clarification may be issued that sub-rule (i) of Rule 3(2) is intended to be invoked only in cases where there has been a failure on the part of the supervisory officer concerned to take all reasonable and necessary steps to ensure the integrity and devotion to duty of Government servants under his control and authority.
3. The Ministry of Finance, etc. are requested to bring the clarification given in paragraph 2 above about the intention of Rule 3 (2) (i) to the notice of all concerned for guidance.
Rule-3A. Promptness and Courtesy:
No Railway servant shall-
(a) in the performance of his official duties, act in a discourteous manner;
(b) in his official dealings with the public or otherwise adopt dilatory tactics or willfully cause delays in disposal of the work assigned to him.
Refer: Rule 3A inserted vide Railway Board's letter No. No.E(D&A)95GS1-5 dt. 14-09-95 i.e. ACS-34/R-I
Rule-3B. Observance of Government’s policies:
Every railway servant shall, at all times-
(i) act in accordance with the Government’s policies regarding age of marriage, preservation of environment, protection of wildlife and cultural heritage;
(ii) observe the Government’s policies regarding prevention of crime against women.
Refer: Rule 3A inserted vide Railway Board's letter No. No.E(D&A)95GS1-5 dt. 14-09-95 i.e. ACS-34/R-I
Rule-3C. Prohibition of sexual harassment of working women:
(1) No Railway servant shall indulge in any act of sexual harassment of any woman at her work place.
(2) Every railway servant who is incharge of a workplace shall take appropriate steps to prevent sexual harassment to any woman at such work place.
Explanation: For the purpose of this rule, "sexual harassment" includes such unwelcome sexually determined behaviour, whether directly or otherwise, as:
(a) physical contact and advances;
(b) demand or request for sexual favours;
(c) sexually coloured remarks;
(d) showing any pornography;or
(e) any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature.
Refer: Rule 3C inserted vide Railway Board's letter No. No.E(D&A)97GS1-4 dt. 13-05-98 i.e. ACS-58/R-I.
Railway Board’s important letters on Rule 3-C.
E(D&A)97 GS 1-4 dated 01-07-98.
Sub: Railway Services (Conduct) Rules,1966- Supreme Court Judgement in the case of Vishaka Vs State of Rajasthan regarding sexual harassment of working women.
Refer: This letter circulates Guidelines and Norms laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the referred case. This letter also directs to create an appropriate complaint mechanism for redressal of the complaints of sexual harassment made by the women employees)
Rule-4. Employment of near relatives of railway servants in a Company or firm enjoying Government patronage:
(1) No railway servant shall use his position or influence directly or indirectly to secure employment for any member of his family in any company or firm;
(2) (i)No Group 'A' officer shall, except with the previous sanction of the Government, permit his son, daughter or other dependent to accept employment in any company or firm with which he has official dealings or in any other company or firm having official dealings with the Government; Provided that where the acceptance of the employment cannot await prior permission of the Government or is otherwise considered urgent, the employment may be accepted provisionally subject to the permission of he Government and the fact of such acceptance shall at once be reported to the Government.
(ii) A railway servant shall, as soon as he becomes aware of the acceptance by a member of his family of an employment in any company or firm, intimate such acceptance to the Government and shall also intimate whether he has or has had any official dealings with that company or firm; Provided that no such intimation shall be necessary in the case of a Group A Officer if he has already obtained the sanction of, or sent a report to the Government under clause(i).
(3) No railway servant shall in the discharge of his official duties deal with any matter or give or sanction any contract to any company or firm or any other person if any member of his family is employed in that company or firm or under that person or he or any member of his family is interested in such matter or contract in any other manner and the railway servant shall refer every such matter or contract to his official superior officer or authority and the matter or contract shall thereafter be disposed of according to the instructions of such officer or authority.
Railway Board’s important letters on Rule 4.
No. E(D&A)93 GS1-5 dt. 22-07-1994
Sub: Definition of 'members of the family' in relation to Rule 4 of the Railway Services (Conduct) Rules, 1966.
Sub-Rule 3 of Rule 4 of the Railway Services (Conduct) Rules 1966 states that no Railway servant shall, in the discharge of his official duties, deal with any matter or give or sanction any contract to any company or firm or any other person, if any member of his family is employed in that Company or firm or under that person, or if he or any member of his family is interested in such matter or contract in any other manner. The Rule further provides that the Railway Servant shall refer every such matter or contract to his superior and the matter shall thereafter be disposed off according to the directions of the superior. It is clarified in the context of this sub-rule that the term 'members of the family' would also include financially independent sons/daughters as also married daughters of the railway servant concerned. This clarification may please be brought to the notice of all concerned for information, guidance and strict compliance.
No. E(D&A)88 GS1-7 dt. 21-06-1988
Sub: Railway Services(Conduct) Rules ,1966-contacts with business firms-Instructions regarding.
1. A copy of Deptt. of Personnel and Training O.M. No. 11013/1/88-Estt.(A) dated 10.5.88, is sent herewith. Note(II) below Rule 13(I) Rule 4(3) of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 correspond to Rule 13(2) and 4(3) respectively of the Railway Services(Conduct) Rules, 1966.
2. The aforesaid instructions may be brought to the notice of all the officers/staff working under your control for guidance and strict compliance.
Index-Conduct Rules-contact with Business Firms etc. If outsiders (Contacts) are used by a Railway servant to gather information in public interest, the railway servant should see that he does not become obliged/committed to the outsider(Contact).
Copy of O.M. No. 11013/1/88-ESTT(A) dated 10th May,1988 Deptt. of Personnel and Training, Min. of Personnel, Public grievances and Pensions.
Sub: Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964-Contacts with business firms - instructions regarding.
1. The undersigned is directed to invite attention to Note(II) below Rule 13(1) of the Central, Civil Services (Conduct) Rule, 1964, which lays down that a Govt. servant shall avoid accepting lavish hospitality or frequent hospitality from any individual having official dealings with him or from industrial or commercial firms. organisations etc. Rule 4(3) of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 inter alia envisaged that no Government servant shall in the discharge of his official duties deal with any matter concerning any company or firm or any other person if he or any member of his family is interested in such matter in any manner. These instructions have been issued to ensure that Government servants are extremely careful and discreet while coming in contact with business men and business firms so as to avoid situations, which might cause embarrassment to the Government or to the Government servants concerned while dealing with matters relating to those business firms/businessmen in their official capacity.
2.It may sometimes so happen that a Government servant is required to maintain contact with outsiders to gain information, in the public interest, about the violation of rules regulations etc. In such cases the Government servant concerned has to exercise adequate care and discretion in making use of such outside contacts so that neither the government nor the Government servant personally becomes obliged or committed to the said contact in any manner.
3. The aforesaid instructions are brought to the notice of all Ministries/departments for strict compliance by Government servants of all categories.
Rule-5. Taking part in politics and elections:
(1) No railway servant shall be a member of, or be otherwise associated with, any political party or any organization which takes part in politics nor shall he take part in, subscribe in aid of, or assist in any other manner, any political movement or activity.
(2) It shall be the duty of every railway servant to endeavour to prevent any member of his family from taking part in, subscribing in aid of, of or assisting in any other manner any movement or activity which is, or tends directly or indirectly to be subversive of the Government as by law established and where a railway servant is unable to prevent a member of his family from taking part in, or subscribing in aid of or assisting in any other manner, any such movement or activity, he shall make a report to that effect to the Government.
(3) If any question arises whether a party is a political party or whether any organisation takes part in politics or whether any movement or activity falls within the scope of sub-rule(2), the decision of the Government thereon shall be final.
(4) No railway servant shall canvass, or otherwise interfere with, or use his influence in connection with or take part in, an election to any legislature or local authority:
Provided that- (i) a railway servant qualified to vote at such election may exercise his right to vote, but where he does so, he shall give no indication of the manner in which he proposes to vote or has voted;
(ii) a railway servant shall not be deemed to have contravened the provisions of this sub-rule by reason only that he assists in the conduct of an election in the performance of a duty imposed on him by or under any law for the time being in force.
Explanation: The display by a railway servant on his person, vehicle or residence of any electoral symbol shall amount to using his influence in connection with an election within the meaning of this sub-rule.
Railway Ministry's decision-1: Railway servants wishing to join the Bharat Sevak Samaj should obtain prior permission from the Head of the Department. This permission will not, however, absolve them from the observance, at all times of all the rules and instructions relating to the conduct and behavior of the Railway Servant.(E(D&A) 64GSI-4 dt.27-5-64)
Railway Ministry's decision-2: The Railway servants should not only be impartial but they should appear to be impartial in relation to the elections. They should not take part in any election campaign nor should they canvass. They should always take scrupulous care not to lend their names, official position of authority to assist one group as against another. Any disregard of these instructions will be considered as serious act of indiscipline. Their attention is drawn to the provisions in section 134-A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 which reads as under;
"if any person in the service of the Government, acts as an election agent or a polling agent or a counting agent of candidate at an election he shall be punishable with imprisonment for term which may extend up to 3 months or with fine or with both". (E(D&A) 66GSI-15 dt.27-12-66).
Railway Ministry's decision-3: Political neutrality of Railway servants-It is essential that Railway servants should not only maintain political neutrality but should also appear to do so and they should not participate in the activities of, or associate themselves with any organisation in respect of which there is the slightest reason to think that the organisation has a political aspect or with organisations banned by the Government. (E(D&A) 69 GSI-25 dt. 01-01-70) (NS Policy/19 dt.11-03-1976)
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