Modi Asks Ministers Not To Hire Members Of Family As Staff

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reported asked his ministers not to hire their relatives as personal staff. Modi has also asked ministers to refrain from granting government contracts to relatives and friends.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued a directive on May 26, asking all ministries and departments to ‘ensure strict compliance of procedure’ for hiring personal staff of the ministers.

“Prior approval of the ACC is required for appointment in the minister’s personal staff (other than the private secretary) at deputy secretary and above level. For appointment of PS, ACC approval is required…” the office memo issued by the DoPT stated.

Some ministers, in the previous NDA government under Atal Bihar Vajpayee, had created controversy by appointing their children as officers on special duty.

Former railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, in UPA 2, had appointed relative as his officer on special duty.