Once more the Cabinet Division has asked the government departments to return gifts received by the public functionaries and the government, regardless of their cost. For this purpose, the Cabinet Division has also provided directions regarding how the disposal and acceptance of gifts may be carried out.
A circular was issued lately by the Cabinet Division states that the public or government functionaries must deposit and report all the gifts received, to Toshakhana of the Cabinet Division without compromise. Until all the gifts have been delivered at Toshakahna according to the process, in the future, the Cabinet Division won’t handle cases or order assessments until all the requirements are met.
According to the Division’s O.M. dated December 2018 on the aforementioned matter, which is posted on the Cabinet Division website, it is the individual recipient’s responsibility to notify the Cabinet Division that they have received the gift(s). Regardless of their worth, any presents received by public officials or members of the government must be declared and deposited right away in the Toshakhana of the Cabinet Division.
The O.M. also stipulates that violators of the applicable rules who fail to declare the receipt of a gift shall face consequences. The Cabinet Division noted that despite explicit policy directions, some recipients have been seen to either fail to report or delay depositing the presents in Toshakhana or to keep the items for themselves even after determining their value.
