BSDRS SOCIAL SERVICE TRUST MEMBERS CODE OF CONDUCT 2024

In exercise of the powers conferred by the Indian constitution the trust is functioning under Indian Trusts Act’ 1982, BSDRS hereby makes the following rules to regulate the conduct of employees and members of the Trust.

RULES

(1) These rules may be called as the social Services (Conduct) Rules.

(2) They shall apply to every person who is member or employee of BHARATIYA SANATANA DHARMA RAKSHA SANGHATAN, HYDERABAD.

(3) BSDRS or Organization means “ BHARATIYA SANATANA DHARMA RAKSHA SANGHATAN”

General

 (1) Every member shall be devoted to his duty and shall maintain absolute integrity, discipline, impartiality and a sense of propriety.

(2) No member shall behave in a manner which is unbecoming of such member or derogatory

to the prestige of the Organization (BSDRS).

 (3) No member shall act in a manner which will place his official position under any kind of embarrassment.

(4) No member 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, and shall where he is acting under such direction, obtain the direction in writing, wherever practicable, and where it is not practicable to obtain the direction in writing shall obtain written confirmation of the direction as soon thereafter as possible. It shall be incumbent on such official superior to confirm in writing the oral directions given by him, and in any event, he shall not refuse such written confirmation where a request is made by the member or employee to whom such direction was given.

Explanation: Nothing shall be construed as empowering a official member to evade his responsibilities by seeking instructions from or approval of, as official superior where, such instructions are not necessary under the scheme of distribution of powers and responsibilities.

(5) No official member shall join, or continue to be a member of, any other similar association the object or activities of which are prejudicial to the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of BSDRS.

(6) “Promptness and courtesy No BSDRS member shall –

(a) In the performance of his official duties or services act in a discourteous manner.

(b) In his official dealings with the public or otherwise adopt dilatory tactics or willfully cause delay in disposal of the work assigned to him.

(c) Prohibition of sexual harassment of working women:- `No BSDRS member shall in the performance of his official duties act in a discourteous and discriminate manner with any working women or indulge in sexual harassment either directly or by implication”.

Explanation: –

For the purpose of this rule Sexual Harassment includes such unwelcome activities either directly or by implication have: –

  1. a) physical contact and advances:
  2. b) a demand or request for sexual favors;
  3. c) sexually coloured remarks;
  4. d) showing pornography;
  5. e) any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature. Such conduct which amounts to a specific offence under the Indian Penal Code, 1860 or under any other Law for the time being in force.

(f) Complaints Committee will be deemed to be an inquiry committee and the report submitted by it shall be deemed to be an inquiry report.

(7) Every Member of BSDRS holding a supervisory post shall take all possible steps to ensure the integrity and devotion to duty of all the members for the time being under his control and authority.

Explanation: – A Member 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 devotion to duty.

(8) Prohibition regarding employment of children below 14 years of age:- No member of the service shall employ to work any child below the age of 14 years.

Strikes: –

  • No BSDRS member shall participate in any strike or similar activities or incitement thereto unless BSDRS decides as per the policy.

Explanation:- The expression “Similar activities” shall be deemed to include –

(i) absence from personal responsibility or work which is allotted by the organization without intimation.

(ii) neglect of duty with the object of compelling any superior to take or omit to take any official action;

(iii) any demonstrative fast, like Hunger Strike with the object mentioned in item (ii); or

(iv) concerted or organized refusal on the part of member’s demand.

(v) No BSDRS member shall participate in any demonstration which is against the interests of the

sovereignty and integrity of the Organization.

  • Gifts, Service Entertainment addresses and addresses and other forms of felicitation:

 (1) No BSDRS member shall :-

(i) accept, or permit any member of his family to accept from any person any gift, the receipt of which, or any service the performance of which will place such member under any kind of official obligation or embarrassment in relation to any person if, however, the offer of a gift cannot be refused without giving undue offence to the donor, it may be accepted and the matter reported to the BSDRS for decision as not its disposal; or

(ii) receive any address or accept any felicitation or entertainment held in his honour.

Provided that nothing in this sub-rule shall apply to :-

(a) gifts of flowers or fruits of trifling value.

(b) gifts of a value, reasonable in all circumstances of the case, from relations, and gifts of a value of less than two thousand  rupees from personal friends presented to a BSDRS member or to any member of his family on ceremonial occasions such weddings;

(c) the performance of an occasional service of a trifling character;

(d) the sitting for a group photo with officers and the other members of the staff of his office.

(e)   stay in any Guest House owned by a private person and enjoy his hospitality.

(f) No BSDRS member shall receive any towel, key, scissors or other similar articles offered to him in connection with any ceremonial function such as the laying of foundation stone or the opening of a building.

  1. Communication of official documents or information.

No BSDRS member, except accordance with any general or special order, communicate directly or indirectly any official document or any of its contents or any official information, to any other member not authorized to receive the same, or to any non-official person or the Press.

Connection with Press :

No BSDRS member shall except with the previous sanction of Organization, own wholly or in part, or conduct, or participate in the editing or the management of, any newspaper or non-government publication and conduct press conference or media conferences.

Participation in Radio Broadcast contribution to News papers and Periodicals.

No BSDRS member shall, except with the previous sanction of Organization or any authority empowered by them in this behalf or in the course of discharge of his official duties, participate in a Radio broadcast or Drama or Tele-serial or Feature Film or contribute any article or write any letter in his own name or anonymously, pseudonymously or in the name of any other person to a newspaper or periodical.

For the purpose of sub-rule, a Secretary to Organization or a Head of Department may exercise the power of Organization in respect of BSDRS members under his control, and may refer any case to Organization for orders if he considers such a course desirable.

  1. Criticism of the policy or action of the Organization.

No BSDRS member shall, by any public utterance, written or otherwise, criticize any policy or action of the Organization nor shall he participate in any such criticism, Provided that nothing in this rule shall be deemed to prohibit any member of BSDRS from participating in discussions, at any private meeting solely of BSDRS members or of any association of members of matters which effect the interest of such members individually or generally.

No BSDRS member shall, in any writing published by him, or in any communication made by him to the press, or in any public utterance delivered by him, make any statement of fact or opinion which is likely to embarrass-

 (i) The relations between the Central Government or the Government of any State and the people of India or any section there of.

 (ii) the relations between the Central Government and the Government of any foreign State.

 (iii) A BSDRS member who intends to publish any document or to make any communication to the press or to deliver any public utterance containing statements in respect of which any doubt as to the application of the restrictions imposed by sub-rule  may arise, shall submit to Organization the draft of such document, communication or utterance and shall, thereafter, act in accordance with such orders as may be passed by the Organization

  1. Evidence before any committee, commission or other authority:

(1) No BSDRS member shall give evidence in connection with any inquiry conducted by any committee, Commission or other authority:-

(a) in India, except with the previous permission of the Organization;

(b) outside India, except with the previous sanction of the Organization;

(2) There any sanction is accorded under sub-rule (1), no BSDRS member giving such evidence shall

criticize the policy of the Organization.

(3) Nothing in sub-rule (1) shall apply to :–

(a) evidence given before a statutory committee, commission or other authority which has power to compel attendance and the giving of answers;

(b) evidence given in judicial inquiries;

(c) evidence given at any departmental inquiry ordered by Government or any authority subordinate to them.

  1. No BSDRS official/member shall be a member of, or be otherwise associated with, any political party or any organization in respect of which there is slightest reason to think that the organization has a political aspect and takes part in politics; nor shall he participate in, subscribe in aid of, or assist in any other manner, any political movement or activity.
  2. Vindication of acts and character of a BSDRS member as such.

(1) No BSDRS member shall, except with the previous sanction of Organization, have recourse to the press or any court for the vindication of his official act which has been the subject matter of adverse criticism or an attack of a defamatory character in public.

 (2) Nothing in sub-rule (1) shall be deemed to prohibit a BSDRS member from vindicating his private

character or an act done by him in his private capacity.

  • No BSDRS member shall, except with the previous sanction of Organization, accept from any person or body compensation of any kind for malicious prosecution or defamatory attack in respect of his official act unless such compensation has been awarded by a competent court of law.
  1. Bigamous marriage:
  • No BSDRS member who has a wife living shall contract another marriage without first obtaining the permission of the Government, notwithstanding that such subsequent marriage is permissible under the personal law for the time being applicable to him.

“Provided that where the personal law provides for second or subsequent marriage, the BSDRS member shall, while seeking permission to contract another marriage, produce documentary evidence in support of “Divorce” in respect of previous marriage and the manner in which the same was secured or pronounced and intimated to the first or former wife”

  • No female BSDRS member, whether unmarried or widow or divorced, as the case may be, shall marry any person who has a wife living without first obtaining the permission of the Government, though the parties are governed by the personal law which otherwise permits contracting more than one marriage while the prior marriage is subsisting”

 

  1. Dowry:

No BSDRS member shall : —

  • give or take or abet in giving or taking of dowry; or
  • demand, directly or indirectly, from the parents or guardian of a bride or bridegroom as the case may be; any dowry.

Explanation:- for the purpose of this rule “dowry” has the same meaning as in the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. (A Central Act 28 of 1961)

  1. Drinking and Intoxication:

Notwithstanding anything contained in the provisions of any Law relating to intoxicating drinks or drugs for the time being in force in any area,

No BSDRS member shall:  –

  • while on duty, be under the influence of such drinks or drugs to such an extent as to render him incapable of discharging his duty properly and efficiently; or
  • appear in a public place in a state of intoxication; or
  • consume such drinks or drugs in excess.

Save as provided in any law for the time being in force relating to intoxicating liquors or narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, no BSDRS member shall sell, buy, transport, possess, consume or otherwise deal with any such intoxicating liquor or drink, narcotic drug or psychotropic substance. If any question arises relating to the interpretation of these rules, the decision of Organization thereon shall be final.