Grant of Vigilance clearance for obtaining Passport

Grant of Vigilance clearance for obtaining Passport

F.No.C-34013/02/2020-Vig.
Government of India
Ministry of Human Resource Development
Department of Higher Education
Vigilance Section

Room No.531-A ‘C’, Shastri Bhawan,

New Delhi, Dated the 05th March, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Grant of vigilance clearance for obtaining passport-reg.

    The undersigned is directed to refer to DOPT’s O.M. No.F.No.11012/7/2017-Estt.A-III dated 18th February, 2020 (copy enclosed) on the subject cited above vide which guidelines prescribed for grant of vigilance clearance for obtaining passport have been reviewed by the DOPT in consultation with the CVC and the MEA.

2. Further, MEA has also issued the guidelines for issuance of ordinary Passport to the Government servants vide O.M. No. VI/401/01/05/2014 dated 26.05.2015, wherein procedures to be followed in this regard have been prescribed.

3. It is mandatory for the administrative Department/Controlling Authority to check as to whether any provision of the Section 6(2) of the Passport Act, 1967 is attracted in case of employees, who are working under them, while obtaining Indian Passport. As such, it is required to check the vigilance clearance of such Government servants.

4. Accordingly, it has been decided by the competent authority that vigilance clearance can be with held only under the following circumstances:

(i) The officer is under suspension;

(ii) Charge sheet has been filed in a Court by the Investigating Agency in a criminal case or after grant of sanction by the Competent Authority under PC Act or any other criminal matter and taken cognizance of by the Court of Law.

5. In view of above, all the Bureau Heads of this Ministry are requested to bring the above guidelines to the notice of all the Institutions/Autonomous Bodies under their administrative control for strict compliance.

Encl: As above

(Dharmender)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Tel: 011-23388389